Analyzing the Power Performance Characteristics of Partially Shaded Photovoltaic Arrays

  • Sergey G. OBUKHOV
  • Igor' A. PLOTNIKOV
  • Galina N. KLIMOVA
  • Elizaveta S. ZHITNIKOVA
Keywords: photovoltaic array, photovoltaic converter, photovoltaic cell, power performance characteristics, bypass diode

Abstract

Building integrated photovoltaic BIPV systems are currently the most dynamically developing segment of the solar energy market. These systems come as photovoltaic panels integrated into building enclosing structures: windows, roof, and facades. One specific feature of BIPV systems is that their photovoltaic panels are spatially oriented in nonoptimal manner, which causes them to operate with significant energy losses when they become partially shaded. A thorough analysis of the power performance characteristics of photovoltaic converters is a necessary basis for the development of new and improvement of known technical solutions aimed at achieving more efficient performance of photovoltaic arrays operating under the conditions of their partial shading. A photovoltaic converter mathematical model implemented in the MatLab/Simulink environment is presented, which provides the possibility of studying the power performance characteristics of photovoltaic modules of various types by using only the technical specification from the manufacturer as input data. The results of analyzing the power performance characteristics of the SPRX20250BLK photovoltaic module operating under partial shading are presented. It is shown that in a series-connected chain of unevenly illuminated solar cells, operation modes are possible in which the volt-ampere characteristic of less illuminated shifts to the region of negative values, which, in turn will result in that part of the power generated by more intensely illuminated cells will be dissipated on less illuminated cells. It has been established that the use of bypass diodes prevents the occurrence of so-called 'hot spots' on photovoltaic modules under conditions of uneven illumination, but does not solve the problem of efficiently using the energy generated by photovoltaic panels. With a small number of bypass diodes, shading even a small part of the photovoltaic panel surface leads to significant losses of output power, whereas an attempt to increase the number of diodes complicates significantly the production technology of the modules themselves and tightens the requirements for other components of photovoltaic stations such as controllers and converters.

Author Biographies

Sergey G. OBUKHOV

(National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, Russia) – Professor of the Division for Power and Electrical Engineering, School of Energy & Power Engineering, Dr. Sci. (Eng.)

Igor' A. PLOTNIKOV

(National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, Russia) – Docent of the Division for Power and Electrical Engineering, School of Energy & Power Engineering, Cand. Sci. (Eng.)

Galina N. KLIMOVA

(National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, Russia) – Docent of the Division for Power and Electrical Engineering, School of Energy & Power Engineering, Cand. Sci. (Eng.)

Elizaveta S. ZHITNIKOVA

(National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, Russia) – Master's Student of the Division for Power and Electrical Engineering, School of Energy & Power Engineering

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#
1. Renewables 2022 Global Status Report. – Paris: REN21 Secretariat, 2022, 312 p. [Electron. resource], URL: https://www.ren21.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/GSR2022_Full_Report.pdf (Date of appeal 04.07.2022).
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4. Mesquita D.B., et al. A Review and Analysis of Technologies Applied in PV Modules. – 2019 IEEE PES Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Conference (ISGT Latin America), 2019, DOI: 10.1109/ISGT-LA.2019.8895369.
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7. Pannebakker B.B., de Waal A.C., van Sark W. Photovoltaics in the Shade: One Bypass Diode per Solar Cell Revisited. – Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, 2017, vol. 25, pp. 836–849, DOI: 10.1002/pip.2898.
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23. Calcabrini A., et al. A Fully Reconfigurable Series-Parallel Photovoltaic Module for Higher Energy Yields in Urban Environments. – Renewable Energy, 2021, vol. 179, DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.07.010
Published
2022-07-04
Section
Article