Lecture 11

Lecture # 11
Photovoltaic Based Energy Systems

Topics to Cover:
Partial Shading Effects on PV Array

What is Partial Shading?
Partial shading is a phenomenon when some modules within a PV array

receive different irradiance levels due to dust, cloudy weather or from
the shadows of nearby buildings, trees, mountains etc. Indeed, partial
shading is practically unavoidable in building integrated PV systems.
What is Partial Shading?
Partial Shading - Effects
Load
Due to Partial shading, current-voltage or power-voltage characteristic
curve of PV arrays may heavily be influenced. Under these conditions,
PV array exhibits multiple local maxima (LMs) and only one of them
corresponds to the global maximum (GM).
Mis-Match Effects of Modules
Voltage Connected in Series
A mismatch in the open-circuit voltage of series-connected cells is a
relatively benign form of mismatch. As shown in the animation below,
at short-circuit current, the overall current from the PV module is
unaffected. At the maximum power point, the overall power is reduced
because the poor cell is generating less power. As the two cells are
connected in series, the current through the two solar cells is the same,
and the overall voltage is found by adding the two voltages at a
particular current.
Voltage Connected in Series
Current Connected in Series
A mismatch in the short-circuit current of series connected solar
cells can, depending on the operating point of the module and the
degree of mismatch, have a drastic impact on the PV module.
Near to open-circuit voltage, the impact of a reduced short-circuit
current is relatively minor.
However, as the current through the two cells must be the same, the
overall current from the combination cannot exceed that of the poor
cell. Therefore, the current from the combination cannot exceed the
short-circuit current of the poor cell.
At low voltages where this condition is likely to occur, the extra

current-generating capability of the good cells is not dissipated in
each individual cell (as would normally occur at short circuit), but
instead is dissipated in the poor cell.
Overall, in a series connected configuration with current mismatch,
severe power reductions are experienced if the poor cell produces
less current than the maximum power current of the good cells and
also if the combination is operated at short circuit or low voltages,
the high power dissipation in the poor cell can cause irreversible
damage to the module.
Fig. describes how the string current flows through all the series-connected
modules including shaded and unshaded [8]. The bias voltage, Vbias is the
reverse voltage at which the shaded modules must operate to support the
common string current. The shaded modules consume power due to the reverse
voltage polarity.
Connected in Series
Connected in Series
Reverse-Biases the Shaded Cells
If the operating current of the overall series string approaches the
short-circuit current of the "bad" cell, the overall current becomes
limited by the bad cell. The extra current produced by the good cells
then forward biases the good solar cells. If the series string is short
circuited or operating at low voltage, then the forward bias across all
of these cells reverse biases the shaded cell.
Connected in Series
Connected in Series
Connected in Series
By-Pass Diodes to Avoid Hot-Spots Effects
Connected in Series
Connected in Series
Connected in Series
Hot-Spots Effects
Hot-spot heating occurs when a large number of series connected cells
cause a large reverse bias across the shaded cell, leading to large
dissipation of power in the poor cell. Essentially the entire generating
capacity of all the good cells is dissipated in the poor cell. The
enormous power dissipation occurring in a small area results in local
overheating, or "hot-spots", which in turn leads to destructive effects,
such as cell or glass cracking, melting of solder or degradation of the
solar cell.
Connected in Series
Hot-Spots Effects
Connected in Series
Connected in Series
Fig. shows a more practical arrangement of a PV array, in which two
types of diodes (bypass and blocking) are connected.
During partial shading, several series PV modules are less
illuminated and behave as a load instead of a generator. This
condition reduces the total power generation and may cause hotspot
problem.
In order to protect modules from the hot-spot problem, one or more
bypass diodes are connected in parallel with a group of cells in each
PV module.
However, blocking diodes are connected at the end of each PV string
to protect the array from being affected by the current imbalance
between the strings. In extreme conditions, i.e. at open circuit
voltage of PV array, the blocking diode, subject to reverse bias,
disconnects its defective string to avoid a reverse current.
Connected in Series
Connected in Series
In practice, however, one bypass diode per solar cell is generally too
expensive and instead bypass diodes are usually placed across groups of
solar cells. The voltage across the shaded or low current solar cell is equal to
the forward bias voltage of the other series cells which share the same
bypass diode plus the voltage of the bypass diode. This is shown in the
figure below. The voltage across the unshaded solar cells depends on the
degree of shading on the low current cell. For example, if the cell is
completely shaded, then the unshaded solar cells will be forward biased by
their short circuit current and the voltage will be about 0.6V. If the poor cell
is only partially shaded, the some of the current from the good cells can flow
through the circuit, and the remainder is used to forward bias each solar cell
junction, causing a lower forward bias voltage across each cell. The
maximum power dissipation in the shaded cell is approximately equal to the
generating capability of all cells in the group. The maximum group size per
diode, without causing damage, is about 15 cells/bypass diode, for silicon
cells. For a normal 36 cell module, therefore, 2 bypass diodes are used to
ensure the module will not be vulnerable to "hot-spot" damage.
Connected in Series
Connected in Series
The effect of a bypass diode on an IV curve can be determined by first finding
the IV curve of a single solar cell with a bypass diode and then combining this
curve with other solar cell IV curves. The bypass diode affects the solar cell
only in reverse bias. If the reverse bias is greater than the knee voltage of the
solar cell, then the diode turns on and conducts current. The combined IV
curve is shown in the figure below.
Connected in Series
Connected in Series
Evaluate the Partial Shading Effects
The effect of a bypass diode on an IV curve can be determined by first finding

the IV curve of a single solar cell with a bypass diode and then combining this
curve with other solar cell IV curves. The bypass diode affects the solar cell
only in reverse bias. If the reverse bias is greater than the knee voltage of the
solar cell, then the diode turns on and conducts current. The combined IV
curve is shown in the figure below.
Statements
Bypass diodes are responsible for the LMs.

Activation points of these bypass diodes are near Voc values.
String Behavior
String Behavior
String Behavior
String Behavior
I-V Curves
I-V Curves
I-V Curves
MPPT for Partial Shading - Critical
If MPPT algorithm caught in one of the LM instead of GM, then power loss can go
upto 70% [4,5].
Designing of MPPT Basic Fundamentals MPPT for PS
Current of IV array is always reduced, if PV curve is scanned from left side of

the array i.e. From Isc side. This fact is used in voltage step decision making.
By-pass diodes are always activated near Voc values of the modules connected in
series. This fact is used to decide the Vsteps of the Algorithm.
MPPT for Partial Shading
Important Points

Lecture 11

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Lecture # 11

Photovoltaic Based Energy Systems

Partial Shading Effects on PV Array

Partial shading is a phenomenon when some modules within a PV array

At low voltages where this condition is likely to occur, the extra

The effect of a bypass diode on an IV curve can be determined by first finding

Bypass diodes are responsible for the LMs.

Current of IV array is always reduced, if PV curve is scanned from left side of

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