Exploring the usability of a remote laboratory for photovoltaic systems

In engineering, remote laboratories present a triple role: they provide to the students the necessary contact with real devices, introduce them in the use of new technologies and make possible that the students conduct lab classes when and where they want. In this paper we present a remote lab devoted to photovoltaic power. The experimental system consists of two photovoltaic panels connected to a variable load and illuminated by a variable luminary. It allows the students to obtain different characteristic curves. The user interface has been integrated in Moodle. The system access management is carried out by software developed by authors. A didactic valuation process has been carried out to establish the acceptation of the educational experience by the students and to identify underlying factors. The hardware and software developed for this remote lab are not specific, but reusable for other remote lab experiences besides the one presented here.