Modeling and Simulation of Solar PV Arrays under Changing Illumination Conditions

Abstract

This paper proposes a modeling and computing algorithm to simulate and analyze the effect of non-uniform changing shadows (a passing cloud) on the output power of solar PV arrays. Each solar array is composed of a matrix of individual solar cells or solar modules interconnected in series and parallel. Bypass switches and diodes are also modeled. The model is able to determine the power loss in each solar cell and the hot spots of a shaded solar PV array as well as the PV output power. The model is also able to simulate and compute the output power of solar PV arrays for any configuration, with or without bypass diode