Week 7: Expanding my Setup and Improving Data Collection

Welcome back to my senior project blog! This week, I continued running experimental trials while also expanding on my setup to include additional variables and more precise measurement methods. With my system now working fully, I focused on improving various aspects of my data collection process and adding new elements to my experiment.

A major part of this week was adding a more structured measurement system into my setup. I began building a circuit system for recording voltage along with current, which allowed for more consistent and reliable electrical measurements during each trial. By refining my data collection process, I was able to reduce inconsistencies and make my overall process more streamlined.

In addition to improving my measurement system, I also started introducing humidity as a variable in my experiments. Using an addition to my environmental chamber, I conducted trials under different humidity conditions while continuing to change ambient temperature. This added another layer to my testing, allowing me to explore how multiple environmental factors interact and influence PV performance.

Throughout the week, I continued to run temperature-controlled trials and focused on maintaining consistency throughout my conditions. This included ensuring proper stabilization time before measurements, recording temperature and voltage simultaneously, and carefully monitoring how the system acted during each run. As my trials became more repetitive, I found it easier to identify small areas for improvement and optimize my workflow overall.

I also spent time organizing the data I collected and reviewing my setup to make sure that all parts, including sensors and measurement circuits, were functioning properly. As my dataset continues to expand, keeping everything organized will be important for when I begin analyzing my results.

Overall, Week 7 was about expanding my experiment and improving precision. By incorporating a circuit measurement system and introducing humidity into my trials, I am beginning to get a more complete picture of how environmental conditions affect PV performance. Moving forward, I plan to continue running trials under these expanded conditions and further refine my process to ensure consistent and reliable data collection.