Effect of Nonuniform Partial Shading on the Performance of Photovoltaic Systems

Abstract

This paper deals with the influence of the shading problem on the electrical production of a photovoltaic generator based on the analysis of the I-V and P-V characteristics of the PV generator for different operating scenarios. The shading problem not only causes energy losses but also increases the non-linearity of the I-V and P-V characteristics of photovoltaic systems. The choice of the model is an essential step to allow analysis and evaluation of the performance of photovoltaic generators. The single diode model was presented in the MATLAB / SIMULINK software. The study began with the presentation of the characteristics of a module, a comparison was made between the values of the obtained electrical parameters and those supplied by the manufacturer. To show the effect of shading on photovoltaic systems another comparative study was presented between a group of series-connected modules and another connected in parallel, both exposed to nonuniform partial shading. The obtained simulation results show that the influence of shading on a set of modules connected in series is greater than that of a set of modules connected in parallel under the same operating conditions.