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Practical - 3

The document outlines the objective of plotting the PV and IV characteristics of a photovoltaic array using MATLAB, detailing the theory behind PV cells and their electrical modeling. It discusses the effects of solar irradiance, the number of series and parallel cells, and temperature on the performance of PV cells, highlighting key observations from simulations. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of irradiance, series and parallel connections, and the negative impact of temperature on PV efficiency.

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6 views6 pages

Practical - 3

The document outlines the objective of plotting the PV and IV characteristics of a photovoltaic array using MATLAB, detailing the theory behind PV cells and their electrical modeling. It discusses the effects of solar irradiance, the number of series and parallel cells, and temperature on the performance of PV cells, highlighting key observations from simulations. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of irradiance, series and parallel connections, and the negative impact of temperature on PV efficiency.

Uploaded by

arpitranjan946
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Practical - 3

Objective:
To plot the PV and IV characteristics of the PV array with varying 𝑇, 𝑁𝑆 and 𝑁𝑃 using
MATLAB.

Theory:
Photovoltaic (PV) cells, commonly known as solar cells, are semiconductor devices that
convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. A typical PV cell
consists of a p-n junction formed by doping silicon with suitable impurities. The p-type
region contains an abundance of holes, while the n-type region has an excess of
electrons. When sunlight illuminates the cell, photons with energy greater than the
bandgap of silicon (~1.1 eV) excite electrons from the valence band to the conduction
band, creating electron-hole pairs. The built-in electric field at the p-n junction drives
these carriers towards their respective regions, resulting in a flow of current when the
circuit is closed.

Fig. 1 Solar Cell

Electrical Modelling of a PV Cell

Fig. 2 Electrical Equivalent of Solar Cell


A PV cell can be modeled by the single-diode equivalent circuit, consisting of a
photocurrent source (𝐼𝐿​), a parallel diode, a series resistance (𝑅𝑠​) representing contact
resistance, and a shunt resistance (𝑅𝑠ℎ​) accounting for manufacturing defects.

The ideal output current 𝐼 from a PV cell is given by the equation:

​ 𝐼 = 𝐼𝐿 − 𝐼𝐷 − 𝐼𝑠ℎ​ (1)

where 𝐼𝐷​is the diode current, expressed by the Shockley diode equation:

𝑞𝑉

​ 𝐼𝐷 = 𝐼𝑠(𝑒 𝐴𝐾𝑇 − 1)​ (2)

where:

●​ 𝐼𝑠​= Reverse saturation current,


●​ 𝑞 = Electron charge (1.603 x 10-19 C),
●​ 𝑉 = Terminal voltage,
●​ 𝐴 = Diode ideality factor (1.92),
●​ 𝐾 = Boltzmann constant (1.38065 x 10-23 J/K),
●​ 𝑇 = Cell temperature (Kelvin).

𝐼𝑠ℎ is shunt current, which is assumed to be quite small and ignored in ideal conditions.
Thus, combining these, the output current of the solar cell becomes:
𝑞𝑉

​ 𝐼 = 𝐼𝐿 − 𝐼𝑠(𝑒 𝐴𝐾𝑇
− 1)​ (3)

When multiple cells are connected:

●​ In series (𝑁𝑆 cells): voltage multiplies by 𝑁𝑆.


●​ In parallel (𝑁𝑃 cells): current multiplies by 𝑁𝑃.

Thus, the modified current equation for a PV module is:


𝑞(𝑉/𝑁𝑆)

​ 𝐼 = 𝑁𝑃(𝐼𝐿 − 𝐼𝑠(𝑒 𝐴𝐾𝑇


− 1))​ (4)
Reverse saturation current 𝐼𝑠 is highly sensitive to temperature and is recalculated as:

𝑞𝐸𝑔 1 1
( ( 𝑇 − 𝑇 ))
𝑇 3 𝐴𝐾
​ 𝐼𝑠 = 𝐼𝑟𝑟( 𝑇 ) 𝑒 𝑟
​ (5)
𝑟

where:

●​ 𝐼𝑟𝑟 = Reverse saturation current at reference temperature (19.996 x 10-6 A),


●​ 𝐸𝑔 = Bandgap energy of silicon (∼1.11 eV),
●​ 𝑇𝑟 = Reference temperature (298 K).

The photogenerated current 𝐼𝐿 is dependent on both irradiance and temperature and is


adjusted as:

𝑆
​ 𝐼𝐿 = 𝐼𝑠𝑐,𝑟 + 𝐾𝑖 (𝑇 + 0. 3 * 100 * 1000
− 𝑇𝑟) * 𝑆 ​ (6)

where:

●​ 𝐼𝑠𝑐,𝑟 = Short-circuit current at reference conditions (2.52 A),


●​ 𝐾𝑖 = Temperature coefficient of short-circuit current (0.0017),
●​ 𝑆 = Solar irradiance (in W/m²).

The power output 𝑃 at any point is simply:

​ 𝑃 = 𝑉 * 𝐼​ (7)

where 𝑉 is the output voltage and 𝐼 is the corresponding current calculated above.​
Thus, for every voltage point, the corresponding current and power are computed and
stored.

Results:​
The simulation of the PV cell was conducted by varying different parameters:

●​ Solar Irradiance (𝑆) at 500 W/m², 700 W/m², and 1000 W/m²,
●​ Number of series-connected cells (𝑁𝑆),
●​ Number of parallel-connected cells (𝑁𝑃),
●​ Temperature (𝑇) of the cell.
The obtained I-V (Current vs. Voltage) and P-V (Power vs. Voltage) characteristics are
plotted accordingly.

Fig. 3 T = 300 K, 𝑁𝑆 = 50, 𝑁𝑃 = 8

Fig. 4 T = 400 K, 𝑁𝑆 = 50, 𝑁𝑃 = 8


Fig. 5 T = 300 K, 𝑁𝑆 = 1, 𝑁𝑃 = 1

Observations:
Upon plotting I-V and P-V graphs for different values of 𝑇, 𝑁𝑆 and 𝑁𝑃, the following
observations were made:

1. Effect of Solar Irradiance (𝑆) on I-V and P-V Characteristics

As the solar irradiance increases from 500 W/m² to 1000 W/m²:

●​ The short-circuit current (𝐼𝑠𝑐) increases significantly.


●​ The open-circuit voltage (𝑉𝑜𝑐​) increases slightly.
●​ The maximum output power (𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥​) increases considerably.

2. Effect of Number of Series Cells (𝑁𝑆)

Simulations were performed for different series cell counts. Increasing 𝑁𝑆​results in a
proportional increase in the open-circuit voltage 𝑉𝑜𝑐​.

●​ The shape of the I-V curve shifts to higher voltage regions.


●​ The maximum voltage point increases without much change in short-circuit
current. Power Output also increases.
3. Effect of Number of Parallel Cells (𝑁𝑃)

Increasing 𝑁𝑃 results in a proportional increase in the short-circuit current 𝐼𝑠𝑐.

●​ The I-V curve shifts upward (higher current).


●​ The power output increases because power 𝑃 = 𝑉 * 𝐼 is boosted by increased
current.

4. Effect of Temperature (𝑇)

Simulations were carried out by varying temperature while keeping irradiance constant.
As temperature increases:

●​ The open-circuit voltage 𝑉𝑜𝑐​decreases noticeably.


●​ The short-circuit current 𝐼𝑠𝑐​slightly increases.
●​ Overall, the maximum power 𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥​decreases with rising temperature.

Conclusion:
The following conclusions are made based on the result
●​ Higher irradiance leads to higher photocurrent generation, thereby improving the
overall power output of the PV module.
●​ Connecting more cells in series boosts the system voltage, useful for matching
high-voltage loads or grid requirements.
●​ Connecting more cells in parallel boosts the system current, enhancing the
current capacity and total generated power.
●​ Higher temperatures negatively affect the PV module's efficiency, mainly due to
the increase in reverse saturation current, reducing the voltage.

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