Performance Loss in Solar Photovoltaic Array due to Non-ideal Natural Conditions

Performance of a SPV system is dependent on temperature, array configuration, solar insolation, and shading across it. Shading can occur when the PV arrays/modules get covered by shadows of passing clouds, buildings, etc., or even by shadows cast by other modules/arrays. As a result the ideal operation of the PV systems is severely affected the P-V and I-V characteristics. The modeling of nonlinear current-voltage characteristics of solar cells for performance prediction becomes difficult under the influence of shading. Non-uniform solar radiation due to shadows casted by the other panels/ modules, buildings, clouds, etc. can cause maximum power to change drastically. Partial shading of PV installations has an impact on its power production. For the simulated results it has been observed that 74.66% loss in I-V characteristics and 85.41% loss in P-V characteristics respectively. The power losses in the individual shaded cells would result in local heating and create thermal stress on the entire module/array resulting in hot-spot formation.