Lab # 09

Open Ended Lab

Apparatus required:
 Computer with MATLAB 2018a

Task
Modeling and Simulation of Solar PV Module on MATLAB/Simulink
 Theory
Photovoltaic cells convert solar radiation directly into DC electrical energy. The basic material
for almost all the photovoltaic cells existing in the market, which is high purified silicon (Si), is
obtained from sand or quartz. Basically, three types of technology are used in the production of
photovoltaic cells. Mono crystalline; polycrystalline; and amorphous silicon. The crystalline-Si
technology is commonly used as a reference, or baseline, for the solar power generation
technology. In general, the status of a photovoltaic cell technology depends on the cell efficiency,
and manufacturing cost. The focus of R&D all over the world is on improving its efficiency and
cost, where the optimal solution is based on a trade-off between the two. The efficiency of a
photovoltaic cell is determined by the material’s ability to absorb photon energy over a wide
range, and on the band gap of the material. Photovoltaic cells are semiconductors that have
weakly bonded electrons at a level of energy called valence band. When energy strikes this
valence band, it frees those bonded electrons and moves them to another energy level called
conduction band. At the conduction band, the electrons are able to conduct electricity through
an electrical load. PV cells use the energy of photons from sunlight to break their band gap
energy thereby producing DC current. Typically, PV cells produce low power (approximately 2-
3Watts); hence several cells are connected together to form modules and panels for higher power
applications. Power regulation elements (e.g. battery, charge controller, converter, etc....) mare
also incorporated to match the output power form to the demanded application. Figure 1 shows
the simple concept of photovoltaic system.

Figure 9.1: Concept of photovoltaic

Crystalline and polycrystalline silicon‟s are the materials most commonly used in photovoltaic
cells. The advantage of silicon cells is primarily the abundance of silicon on earth. The
photovoltaic cell consists of several layers of semiconductor materials with different electronic
properties. In a typical polycrystalline cell, the bulk of the material is silicon, doped with a small
quantity of boron to give it a positive or p-type character. A thin layer on the front of the cell is
doped with phosphorous to give it a negative or n-type character. The interface between these two
layers produces an electric field and forms the so-called a “cell junction”. When the cell is exposed
to sunlight, a certain percentage of the incoming photons are absorbed in the region of the junction,
freeing electrons in the silicon crystal. If the photons have enough energy, the electrons will be
able to overcome the electric field at the junction and are free to move through the silicon and into
an external circuit. The direction of the electric current is opposite to its direction if the device
operates as a diode. The next section dwelled on the modeling of photovoltaic system.
A photovoltaic array (PV system) is an interconnection of modules which in turn is made up of
many PV cells in series or parallel. The power produced by a single module is not enough for
commercial use, so modules are connected to form array to supply the load.

Figure 9.2: Solar PV Cell, Module and Array

Most PV arrays use an inverter to convert the DC power into alternating current that can power
the motors, loads, lights etc. The modules in a PV array are usually first connected in series to
obtain the desired voltages; the individual modules are then connected in parallel to allow the
system to produce more current.

MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE:

Modeling is the basis for computer simulation of a real system. It is usually based on a theoretical
analysis of the various physical processes occurring in the system and of all factors influencing
these processes. Mathematical models describing the system characteristics are formulated and
translated into computer codes to be used in the simulation process. Photovoltaic cell models have
long been a source for the description of photovoltaic cell behavior for researchers and
professionals. The most common model used to predict energy production in photovoltaic cell
modeling is the single diode circuit model that represents the electrical behavior of the pn-junction
is given in fig 9.2.

PV cells are made of semiconductor materials, such as silicon. For solar cells, a thin semiconductor
wafer is specially treated to form an electric field, positive on one side and negative on the other.
When light energy strikes the solar cell, electrons are knocked loose from the atoms in the
semiconductor material. If electrical conductors are attached to the positive and negative sides,
forming an electrical circuit, the electrons can be captured in the form of an electric current - that
is, electricity. This electricity can then be used to power a load. The power produced by a single
PV cell is not enough for general use. So by connecting many single PV cell in series (for high
voltage requirement) and in parallel (for high current requirement) can get us the desired power.

Generally a series connection is chosen this set of arrangement is known as a module. Generally
commercial modules consist of 36 or 72 cells. The p-n junctions of mono-crystalline silicon cells
may have adequate reverse current characteristics and these are not necessary. Reverse currents
waste power and can also lead to overheating of shaded cells. Solar cells become less efficient at
higher temperatures and installers try to provide good ventilation behind solar panels.

A solar cell is the building block of a solar panel. A photovoltaic module is formed by connecting
many solar cells in series and parallel. Considering only a single solar cell; it can be modeled by
utilizing a current source, a diode and two resistors. This model is known as a single diode model
of solar cell.

Figure 9. 3: Single diode model of a solar cell

I-V Equation of PV cell:

The cells diode current or saturation current varies with the cell temperature which is described as
Simulation diagram
Simulation Results

Conclusion
Comments