Concepts and Case Study of Mismatch Losses in Photovoltaic Modules

Abstract

With the diffusion of the implantation of photovoltaic systems, it became necessary to research to increase efficiency and improve the payback of the investment. In this way, losses in photovoltaic systems are an obstacle, and among the several losses, losses by mismatch can be highlighted. Thus, the paper proposes to collect in literature and classify the causes and to point out the solutions for mismatch losses in a PV system, and posteriorly a case study on a PV system comparing the PV modules with dirt and clean. An I-V curve tracer was used to perform measurements with better accuracy. As a result, the mismatch losses happened in the photovoltaic system in the test and had an amplification when the photovoltaic modules were soiling, in both cases, limited the photovoltaic system of reach maximum power. Therefore, it has been shown that mismatch losses can occur in several ways, and can considerably influence the performance of a photovoltaic system.