Abstract
A Photovoltaic (PV) cell is a device that converts sunlight or incident light into direct current (DC) based electricity. Among other forms of renewable energy, PV-based power sources are considered a cleaner form of energy generation. Due to lower prices and increased efficiency, they have become much more popular than any other renewable energy source. In a PV module, PV cells are connected in a series and parallel configuration, depending on the voltage and current rating, respectively. Hence, PV modules tend to have a fixed topology. However, in the case of partial shading, mismatching or failure of a single PV cell can lead to many anomalies in a PV module’s functioning. If proper attention is not given, it can lead to the forward biasing of healthy PV cells in the module, causing them to consume the electricity instead of producing it, hence reducing the PV module’s overall efficiency. Hence, to further the PV module research, it is essential to have an approximate way to model them. Doing so allows for understanding the design’s pros and cons before deploying the PV module-based power system in the field. In the last decade, many mathematical models for PV cell simulation and modeling techniques have been proposed. The most popular among all the techniques are diode based PV modeling. In this book chapter, the author will present a double diode based PV cell modeling. Later, the PV module modeling will be presented using these techniques that incorporate mismatch, partial shading, and open/short fault. The partial shading and mismatch are reduced by incorporating a bypass diode along with a group of four PV cells. The mathematical model for showing the effectiveness of bypass diode with PV cells in reducing partial shading effect will also be presented. Additionally, in recent times besides fixed topology of series–parallel, Total Cross-Tied (TCT), Bridge Link (BL), and Honey-Comb (H-C) have shown a better capability in dealing with partial shading and mismatch. The book chapter will also cover PV module modeling using TCT, BL, and H-C in detail.
Highlights
A Photovoltaic (PV) cell is a device that by the principle of photovoltaics effect converts solar energy into electricity [1, 2]
If only a few of the PV cells are under the shade, it results in partial shading conditions
In [27], it is presented that reconfigurable PV modules are much better in tackling the effect partial shading condition
Summary
A Photovoltaic (PV) cell is a device that by the principle of photovoltaics effect converts solar energy into electricity [1, 2]. The current flow in a row of PV cells connected in series is governed by the PV cells that are affected by the shade [13, 14] This phenomenon can lead to forward biasing of unshaded PV cells, leading to them consuming the power instead of generating it [13, 14]. The blocking diode prevents the current from flowing in the reverse direction in case of a mismatch in the output voltage, which can lead to forward basing of the PV cells [21]. Faults such as open and short circuiting of PV cells in the module degenerate the solar panel’s performance [12]. Equivalent modeling helps to better understand the PV panel characteristics before they are being deployed for real-world applications
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