A MAXIMUM POWER TRACKING METHOD USING A NEW MODEL OF

SERIES-PARALLEL-CONNECTED SOLAR CELL ARRAYS INCLUDING SHADING EFFECTS

Tajudeen H. Sikiru1 and Olorunfemi Ojo2

1
Department of Electrical Engineering
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
2
Department of Electrical and Computer
Engineering/Center for Energy Systems Research
Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville,
TN 38505, USA.

ABSTRACT variations. Also, due to the nonlinear relationship between

The nonlinearity between the current-voltage (I-V)
characteristic models usually requires iterative solutions.
However, the concept of mean value theorem applied to
maximum power point tracking problems will provide
analytic solutions which predict the maximum power in one
iterative step. This paper demonstrates the applicability of
this theorem to a novel I-V model that is based on the
variability of parameters including variation in insolation.
Also, other I-V models were considered to show the
importance of this approach. The obtained results are
within the neighborhood of the exact maximum power
point. Therefore, a better approach compared to numerical
techniques. Furthermore an extended model of the
proposed series-parallel I-V model for array configuration
is used to show the effects of shading on the location of the
optimum maximum point when partial shading occurs.
I. INTRODUCTION
Recently, solar generated power supply has found
applications in satellite communications, electric powered
vehicles, solar power plants, solar integrated buildings,
solar tents, etc. However, photovoltaic (PV) arrays used in
these applications might not be uniformly illuminated,
because of shadow from clouds, trees, booms, neighbour’s
houses or another solar array which results in nonlinear
relationship between the power loss and the amount of
shading that occurred [1]. A major challenge in using PV
source is the nonlinear output characteristics, which vary
with solar insolation and cell temperature. This nonlinear
characteristic is usually more complicated when the entire
array does not receive uniform insolation, occurrence of
shading and mismatch in individual PV cells [2].
Conventional current-voltage (I-V) and power-voltage
(P-V) models usually assume that all the cells are identical
and are operating under the same illumination conditions.
These assumptions in reality are not completely true, due to
the fact that environmental conditions are not uniformly
distributed which may be due to spectral distribution of air
mass and velocity of sand particles in space. Hence, it is
extremely impossible to have uniform illumination across
all the PV cells. Additionally, parametric variation occurs
in the electrical properties of PV cells due to rust and
ageing effects [3]. Given these variations of the
characteristic of the PV arrays, there is need to proffer a
more practical I-V and P-V models that account for these
the
I-V and P-V characteristic curves, iterative techniques are
usually employed in the determination of the maximum
power point tracking (MPPT) of PV systems.
In this paper, a novel I-V model for series-parallel
connected PV cells is proposed which account for
variations in illumination and electrical parameters. Also,
an analytic approach to MPPT problem is demonstrated
using the concept of mean value theorem. The obtained
results are within the neighborhood of the exact maximum
power point (MPP) obtained from I-V and P-V curves for
both the proposed and the two conventional models
considered in this work. Furthermore, the effects of shading
on the location of the global MPP are shown using a novel
model for array configuration which is an extension of the
proposed series-parallel model.
II. CONVENTIONAL SOLAR CELL ARRAY MODELS
Usually PV cell is represented as an ideal current source
connected in parallel to a diode as shown in figure 1
Figure 1. Circuit equivalent model of PV cell
Where I λ is the generated photon current, which is
depended on radiation (intensity) of sunlight. I d is the
diode current and temperature depended, while I p
represent the PV cell leakage current. The parallel
resistance R p of figure 1 represent the internal loses
across the Shockley diode, Rs represents joule loses and
V pv is the output voltage of the cell.

MODEL I

1
Model I is an exponential ideal p-n junction model which
ignored leakage current for series-parallel connected cell III. PROPOSED MODEL FOR SERIES-PARALLEL
given in equation (1) as [3] CONNECTED PV CELLS
 exp( v Vth ) − 1 
i = nI sc 1 − 
A more practical approach to the mathematical modeling of

 exp(Voc Vth ) − 1
PV cells is proposed. This model is based on the
assumption that all the cells are non-identical (i.e. uneven
(1) illumination, unequal maximum power contribution from
Where i and v are the array’s terminal current and each cell, difference in electrical characteristics etc) which
in reality are true and affects the performance of PV cells.
voltage, I sc and Voc are short-circuit current and
The proposed model for series-parallel connected cells is as
open circuit voltage respectively. The thermal voltage of show in equation (3).
mkT
the array is Vth =
q
. n is number of cells in
Where I out is the output current,
m
VTo = ∑(Vso ) i is
parallel, while m
, k , T and q are number of cells in i =1

series, Boltzmann’s constant, absolute temperature, and the total output voltage, Vso is the voltage across
electronic charge respectively. n

MODEL II
individual cell, ∑I
j =1
soj is the generated current,

n
While, model II is another conventional series-parallel
model that account for leakage current and can be written ∑I
j =1
sj is the reverse saturation current, Reqext is
as [4]
[
i pv = nI L − nI s exp(α ( v pv + i pv Rsp ) ) − 1 ] equivalent series resistance, Reqpara is equivalent

− ( v pv + i pv Rsp ) Rshp
(2) parallel resistance.

Model for Array Configuration

The output current and voltage are i pv , and v pv ,
R sp is the total equivalent series resistance, R shp is The series-parallel model for the PV cells of equation (3) is
now extended to cater for the PV array configuration, since
the total equivalent shunt (parallel) resistance. I L is the in most installations many modules are stringed together to
achieve the desired voltage and current requirements as
generated current, I s is the reverse saturation current of
expressed in equation (4).
q
the diode and α = .
mkT

  n
Reqpara  q
(VTo + I out Reqext )  − 1
n
I out =   ∑ I soj − ∑ I sj * exp  (3)
 Reqpara + Reqext   j =1 j =1  mkT  

  K
(Varray + I array Rarrayserie s )  −1
R arraypara K
  q
I array =   * ∑ I out − ∑ I reverse *  exp 
 R arraypara + R arrayserie s   1 1   JmkT  
(4)

Where I array is the array output current, Varray is the J is the number of modules in series, and K is the
K number of parallel connected modules.
array output voltage, ∑I
1
out is the modules generated
IV. ANALYTICAL SOLUTION TO MPPT PROBLEM
K

∑I
In this section, the determination of the MPP for the
current, reverse is the reverse saturation current of proposed and the two conventional models considered in
1 the previous section will be presented. Since MPP occurs at
the array, Rarraypara is the total equivalent shunt the knee point of I-V curves, it is impossible to determine
this point using analytical solution, because of the
resistance for J x K modules , Rarrayserie s is the nonlinearity of the resultant derivative of the power with
total equivalent series resistance for J x K modules, respect to voltage. However, using the concept of mean

2
value theorem an approximate analytic solution can be
obtained which adequately predict the MPP. The
approximate maximum power obtained using this theorem
will be shown to be very close to the exact maximum
power. Hence, a better approach compared to numerical
techniques which uses long and tedious iterations.
The mean value theorem states that for any real valued
function there exists a point x* at which the function’s
derivative is equal to the slope of the line joining two
arbitrary point in the function [4]. For P-V application, say
the figure depicted by figure 2 is considered.

Figure 2. Current-Voltage curve illustrating determination of maximum power point

The linear current line joining the points ( 0, I sc ) and equation (6). The resulting equation will be solved for
voltage. The voltage obtained is an approximate value that
(Voc ,0 ) is given as lies within the neighborhood of the exact optimum voltage
I sc (V mpp ) . The corresponding approximate current can be
i =− v + I sc (5) obtained by substituting the obtained approximated voltage
Voc into the I-V equation used in generating the curve.
It follows that there exist a unique V* such that Therefore, the approximate maximum power will be the
multiplication of the approximate current and voltage [4].
di I
|V * = − sc (6)
dv Voc Determination of Maximum Power Point
The equation that produces the I-V curve in figure 2 is
The proposed model for series-parallel connected cells as
differentiated with respect to voltage and equated to
stated in equation (3) is
  n
Reqpara   q
(VTo + I out Reqext )  −1
n
I out =   * ∑I soj − ∑I sj * 
 exp  (7)
 Reqpara + Reqext 
   j =1 j =1   mkT  
The generated output power is
  n
Reqpara   q
(VTo + I out Reqext )  −1
n
Pout =   ∑ soj
* I * VTo − ∑ I sj * VTo * 
 exp  (8)
 Reqpara + Reqext 
   j =1 j =1   mkT  
Differentiating equation (8) with respect to voltage and equating the result to zero gives

 n n

mkT 
 ∑ I soj + ∑ I sj 
Vmpp + I mpp Reqext = In n
j =1 j =1
 (9)
q   q 
 ∑ I sj 1 + mkT * Vmpp  
 j =1  
It will be observed that equation (9) has no analytical From the straight line equation y = mx + c and boundary
solution. However applying mean value theorem, an
 n 
analytic voltage and current can be obtained as follows:
conditions  0, ∑I , (Voc ,0 ) , gives the linear
 soj 
 j =1 
current equation as

3
 n n

∑ I soj n
(10) di
∑ I soj
v + ∑ I soj
j =1 j =1
i =− =−
Voc j =1 dv Voc
The slope of the linear equation will be (11)
To obtain the slope of the I-V characteristic equation,
equation (7) is differentiated with respect to voltage and
yields

 q
(Vapp + I app Reqext ) 
n
q
− Reqpara * * ∑ I sj * exp
dI out mkT j =1  mkT 
=
dVTo 
( Reqpara + Reqext ) + ( Reqpara * Reqext ) * q * ∑ I sj * exp q (Vapp + I app Reqext ) 
n

 mkT j =1  mkT 
(12)
Equating equation (11) and equation (12) yields

 
( )
n

mkT 
 ∑ I soj Reqpara + Reqext 
Vapp + I app Reqext = In 
j =1  (13)
q q n  n 
 Reqpara * * ∑ I sj Voc − ∑ I soj * Reqext  

 mkT j =1  j =1  
Equation (13) has two unknown, therefore replacing
n
I app with ∑I
j =1
soj , the approximate voltage which

produces maximum power is

 
( )
n

mkT 
 ∑j =1 soj eqpara eqext
I R + R  n
 − I *R
Vapp =
q
In
 q n  n
∑ soj eqext
  j =1
(14)

 Reqpara * * ∑ I sj  Voc − ∑ I soj * Reqext  

 mkT j = 1  j =1  
The corresponding approximate current that gives I out in the exponential function of equation (7) with
maximum power at the knee point is obtained by
n

∑I
substituting equation (14) into equation (7) and replacing
soj .
j =1
Hence

 
( )
n n

 Reqpara  
n n ∑ I soj * ∑ I sj Reqpara + Reqext 

 * ∑ I soj + ∑ I sj −
j =1 j =1
I app =
 Reqpara + Reqext   j =1 q n  n 
* ∑ I sj Voc − ∑ I soj * Reqext  
j =1
Reqpara * 
 mkT j =1  j =1  
(15)
The approximate maximum power is therefore Pout =Vapp * I app (16)
Similarly, the analytic solutions of the conventional Model I are

4
 V [ exp(Voc Vth ) − 1]   
 nI L 
R s  Voc 
vap = Vth * In  th  1 + R  − R 
1   sh   − nI * R
 Voc  v appx = In
sh

α α * I s (Voc − R s * nI L )  L s

(17)  
 
 (( V [ exp( Voc Vth ) − 1] ) Voc ) − 1
 
(20)
iap = nI sc 1 − th 
 exp( Voc Vth ) − 1 
 
nI L 
Rs
1 + R
 Voc

− R


(18) iappx = nI L + I s −  sh  sh  (21)
The approximate maximum power for conventional  α(Voc − Rs * nI L ) 
model I is  

 

p ap = v ap * iap (19)
The approximate maximum power will therefore be
While, the analytic solutions for optimum voltage and Pappx = v appx * iappx (22)
current for conventional model II are given in equations
(20) - (22).
V. SIMULATION RESULTS INCLUDING THE EFFECT
OF CELL SHADING
Thirty six series connected cells, twelve parallel connected
Applying the parameters stated below, on the series-parallel cells, total equivalent series resistance = 0.04815 Ω, total
models of equations (1), (2) and (3), the generated I-V and equivalent shunt resistance = 600 Ω, total generated
P-V curves of figures 3 and 4 were obtained, assuming that
current = 3.0 A, open circuit voltage = 20.19V
the cells are identical and evenly illuminated.

I-Vseries-pa
ralle
lcon
nectedce
lls
4
p
ropose
dmo
del
mode
l1
3
.5 mode
l2

2
.5
Ipv(A)

1
.5

0
.5

0
0 5 1
0 1
5 2
0 2
5
V
pv(V
)

Figure 3. Current-voltage curves for series-parallel connected PV cells

P
-
V s
er
ies
-p
ar
alle
lc
onn
ec
te
dce
lls
6
0
p
r
opo
se
dmo
de
l
m
ode
l1
m
ode
l2
5
0
(W)

4
0
WER

3
0
PO

2
0

1
0

0
0 5 1
0 1
5 2
0 2
5
V
pv
(V
)

Figure 4. Power-voltage curves for series-parallel connected PV cells

5
The analytic voltage and current that predict the maximum (18), (20) and (21) by substituting the above parameters.
power can be obtained using equations (14), (15), (17), The obtained results are shown in Table I.

Table I Comparison between calculated and exact optimum voltages and maximum powers for series-parallel connected cells
Models Calculated Exact value from graphs Error
Vapp (V) P (W) V mpp (V) P mpp (W) V (%) P (%)
app
Proposed model 17.35 48.78 17.41 48.78 0.34 0.00
Model 1 17.34 49.64 17.62 49.77 1.59 0.26
Model 2 17.20 48.69 17.41 48.78 1.21 0.18

It is evident from the results presented that the analytic
solutions predicted by using mean value theorem is very
close to the exact values obtained from the I-V and P-V
curves.
MATLAB programs were developed using the model for
array configuration based on equation (4) which accounts
for shading patterns and differing insolation levels of the
PV cells. The model and MATLAB programs account for
the presence or absence of bypass blocking diodes. These
diodes are used to offset the effect of partial shading by
causing the currents from the un-shaded cell to avoid the
hotspot created by shading. The diodes are also used to
prevent reverser of current to the solar cells.
Figures 5 and 6 present two array configurations with
different shading patterns and different levels of insolations
according to Table II. The I-V and P-V curves obtained for
modules fitted with by-pass and blocking diodes are shown
in Figures 7 and 8 for shading pattern of Figure 5.

Figure 5. Shading patterns of 6 series and 4 parallel modules

Figure 6. Shading of first 12 series and 2 parallel modules combined with 24 series and 3 parallel modules

Table II Shading patterns and insolation levels for 36 x 6 modules

Number of Number of Number of shaded Number Shaded insolation level
unshaded series unshaded parallel series modules Of shaded kW m 2
modules( modules( L = 1 parallel
L =1) ) modules
Figure 5

G1 30 0 6 4 0.55
G2 36 2 0 0 -
Figure 6
G1 36 1 0 0 -
G2 24 0 12 2 0.1
G3 12 0 24 3 0.1
L = Full insolation in kW m 2

6
 I-
V c
ur
ves
(pa
r
tia
ls
ha
din
g)
2
0
2
n
ots
ha
de
d@1
00
0W/m
2
1
8 s
ha
de
d@5
50
W/m

1
6

Current (A) 1
4

1
2

1
0

0
0 1
00 2
00 3
00 4
00 5
00 6
00 7
00 8
00 9
00
V
olta
ge(
V)

Figure 7. Current-Voltage curves for the shading of 6 series and 4 parallel modules
P
-Vc
urv
es(p
artia
ls
had
in
g)
1
400
0
2
n
ots
had
ed@1
000
W/m
2
s
had
ed@5
50W
/m
1
200
0

1
000
0
Power (W)

8
000

6
000

4
000

2
000

0
0 1
00 2
00 3
00 4
00 5
00 6
00 7
00 8
00 9
00 1
000
V
olta
ge(V
)

Figure 8. Power-Voltage curves for the shading of 6 series and 4 parallel modules

The shading pattern of figure 6 produced the I-V and P-V graphs are the I-V and P-V curves that result in the absence
curves shown in figure 9 and 10. Also shown on these of by-pass diodes.

I-V
curv
es(p
artia
ls
had
in
g)
2
0
2
n
ots
had
ed @ 1
000
W/m
s
had
edwith
ou
tby
pas
sdio
de
1
8
2
s
had
ed@1
00W
/m

1
6

1
4
Current (A)

1
2

1
0

0
0 1
00 2
00 3
00 4
00 5
00 6
00 7
00 8
00 9
00
V
olta
ge(V
)

Figure 9. Current-Voltage curves for Shading of first 12 series and 2 parallel modules combined with 24 series and 3 parallel
modules

7
The significant consequence of shading effects P-Von c
urv
es(
partia
ls
had
in
g) Perturb and Observe Method”, IEEE Trans.
maximum power is that the MPPT will be difficult to
1
40
00
Aerospace noand
ts
ha
ded@Electronic
1
000
W /m Systems, Vol. 43, No.
2

achieve between the power conditioning system and the PV

1
20
00
3, pp. 934 s-sh
a
h
a
950,
d
e
d
e
d
d
w
ith
@
o
1
0
u
tb
0W
July
yp
a
/m
s
s d
io
de
2007.
2

arrays, because there are local MPPT points among which [9] R. Bruendlinger, B. Bletterie, M. Milde and H.
the MPPT algorithm must detect the global optimum [9-
1
00
00
Oldenkamp, “Maximum Power point Tracking
12]. Performance under Partially Shaded PV
Power (W)

8
00
0 Conditions”, proc. Of 21st EUPVSEC, Dresden,
VI. CONCLUSION Deutschland, pp. 2157 – 2160, September 2006.
This paper proposed analytic solutions using the concept of
6
00
0 [10] R. E. Hanitsch, D. Schulz and U. Siefried,
mean value theorem to solve MPP problems based on a “Shading Effects on Output Power of Grid
novel I-V characteristic model which account for variations
4
00
0 Connected Photovoltaic Generator Systems”,
in solar insolation and electrical parameters. To buttress the Rev. Energ. Ren.: Power Engineering, pp. 93 –
applicability of this theorem to the solution of MPP
2
00
0
99, 2001.
problems two conventional models were also considered. [11] M. C. Alonso-Gracia, J. M. Ruiz and F. Chenlo,
The simulation results are within the neighborhood of the Voltage(V)
0
0 1
00 2
00 3
00 4
00 5
00 6
00 “Experimental Study of Mismatch and Shading
7
00 8
00 9
00 1
00
0

exact maximum power. Therefore, we have proposed a Effects”, Solar Energy Mater. Solar Cells, Vol.
Figure
better 10. Power-Voltage
analytic curvesthe
approach to solving forMPP
Shading of first
problem 12 series and 2 parallel modules
which 90, No. 3,combined
pp. 329-340, with February
24 series 2006.
and 3 parallel
is better than those methods based on numerical techniques modules [12] L. A. Hecktheuer, A. Krenzinger and C. W. M.
which naturally use long and tedious iterations. Prieb, “Methodology for Photovoltaic Modules
Furthermore, the effects of shading on the location of the Characterization and Shading Effects Analysis”,
global MPP were presented based on an extended model Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical
for array configuration which shows that partial shading Science, Vol. 24, No. 1, March 2002.
will result in tracking difficulty between the power
conditioning system and the PV because MPPT algorithms
will be required to locate the global optimum power point
among several optimum solutions.

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[1] Dzung Nguyen and Brad Lehman, “A

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