Analysis of Solar PV module characteristics under partial shading

Project Title

Project Area of Specialization

Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Project Summary

This project is about analysis of solar PV module characteristics under partial shading conditions. Partial shading is a great problem in solar system which causes power mismatch from each cell or module under shaded and normal conditions which results in producing multiple peaks in graphs of Voltage versus Current and Power versus Voltage. As a result, the short circuit current is reduced and open circuit voltage is dropped. Both end up causing Maximum Power Point Tracking in graph dropping low.

Our aim is to analyze these effects and find out their effects on the system and develop a particular solution to it.

Project Objectives

The objective is to take solar modules and put them under shaded conditions to see their novel behaviour. Once a conclusive problem is found, we would go for a solution and try to develop an economical solution to this problem.

Project Implementation Method

This project's first part is to see closely the problem of shading and next is to develop a solution on the basis of economics.

We will take two modules and put them under shaded conditions, As a result, the current produced by non-shaded cell will be more whereas, the current produced by the shaded one will be less. Similarly, the open circuit voltage of shaded and unshaded will be slightly different, due to that there will be power mismatch, causing multiple peaks in graphs of Voltage versus Current and Power versus Voltage. We will use an oscilloscope to see these mismatches and then we will run this setup under solution conditions and see their characteristics.

Benefits of the Project

Following are the benefits of this project:

It will observe closely the Power mismatches
It will ellaborate the causes of mismatches
It will try to develop a solution to it

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

This project is still under study, therefore, its requirements vary based on the best components to be used. Therefore, its components cannot be fixed ones upto date. We will see the extent of the problem first then we will try to develop a solution.