C-language Based PV Array Simulation Technique

Considering Effects of Partial Shading

Young-Hyok Ji, Jun-Gu Kim, Sang-Hoon Park, Jae-Hyung Kim, and Chung-Yuen Won
School of Information and Communication engineering, Sungkyunkwan University
huma81@skku.edu, hopuler08@skku.edu, marohachi@skku.edu, mcu75@skku.edu, won@yurim.skku.ac.kr


Abstract- The performance of photovoltaic (PV) array is
strongly dependent on the operating conditions especially the
solar irradiation. The shading on PV array by the passing clouds
or neighboring buildings causes not only power losses, but also
non-linearity of V-I characteristics of PV array. Under partially
shaded conditions, the characteristics have more non-linearity
with multiple local maxima. In spite of several researchers have
studied the PV characteristics under the partial shading
condition, it is difficult to simulate the partial shading condition
on the simulation tool for power electronics. The C-language
based PV array simulation strategy proposed in here is to
simulate the effects of partial shading condition for developing
more advanced maximum power point tracking algorithms or
power conversion systems. Proposed modeling strategy is easily
connected to simulation tools. In this paper, the modeling of
photovoltaic array is based on the numerical analysis, and the
verification is performed using PSIM.

I. INTRODUCTION
As people are much concerned with the fossil fuel
exhaustion and the environmental problems caused by the
conventional power generation, photovoltaic system is now
widely used in many applications such as battery charging,
home power supply, building-integrated photovoltaic system
(BIPV), satellite power systems etc.
In most applications, except the satellite power systems,
photovoltaic systems are commonly integrated into buildings
in an urban environment and this frequently results in device
shading. Because of the performance of a solar PV array is
strongly dependent on operating conditions, such as the solar
irradiation levels and the ambient temperature, The shading
on PV array by the passing clouds or neighboring buildings
causes not only power losses, but also non-linearity of V-I
characteristics of PV array. Under the partially shaded
conditions, especially, the V-I characteristics get more non-
linearity, and it causes multiple local maxima on V-P
characteristic curve.
Several researchers have studied the modeling of PV array
for developing maximum power point tracking algorithms
and power conversion devices [1]-[3]. However, the
performance specifications do not take into account the
influence of shade or other changes for solar conditions in the
partial shading conditions, and it can be caused failure of
maximum power point tracking. In [4]-[6], the partial shading
conditions are considered. Reference [4] described numerical
simulation method of solar cell using two diodes model.
Reference [5] have shown that it can be described the
irradiance on a shaded cell by the average irradiance. In [6],
the connection methods of PV modules and associated
problems are considered. However, there are no conside-
rations about the shading pattern and simulation strategies.
Nevertheless, it is very important to understand and model
the effect of partial shading.
In spite of several photovoltaic simulators can simulate the
shading effect, these simulators not only are complex to use
but also do not support the interfacing between PV array and
power electronic devices. In this paper, therefore, C-language
based PV array simulation strategy is proposed to simulate
the effects of partial shading condition for developing more
advanced maximum power point tracking algorithms or
power conversion systems.

II. APPROXIMATE MODEL FOR PV ARRAY
A. Solar Cell Model
The building block of PV arrays is the solar cell, which is
basically a p-n semiconductor junction that directly converts
light energy into electricity. A solar cell is simply a diode of
large-area forward bias with a photo-voltage, which is created
from the dissociation of electron-hole pairs created by
incident photons within the built-in field of the junction. It
has the equivalent circuit shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1. Equivalent circuit of a solar cell

The operating equation of current-voltage characteristics of
a solar cell can be derived as


( )
exp 1
S S
PH S
B SH
q V R I V R I
I I I
Ak T R
( | | + +
=
( |
\
(1)

where IPH is the photocurrent, IS is the saturation current, A
is the ideality factor, q is the electronic charge, kB is the
S
R
SH
R
D
I
PH
I
SH
I
I
V
Boltzmanns gas constant, T is the junction temperature, RS is
the series resistance, and Rsh is the shunt resistance.
When the solar cell is in the short-circuit condition, the
voltage is equal to zero, and the short-circuit current ISH is
derived from (1).


exp 1
S SC S SC
SC PH S
B SH
qR I R I
I I I
Ak T R
( | |
=
( |
\
(2)

The open-circuit voltage can be expressed analytically
using the following expression.


ln
ph S
B
OC
S
I I
Ak T
V
q I
+ | |
=
|
\
(3)

The saturation current IS is a current of minority carriers
created by thermal excitation. Its variation with temperature
can be expressed as


3
exp
g
S
B
E
I AT
k T
| |
=
|
\
(4)

where the Eg is the band-gap energy which is determined
by the material of the solar cell.

B. Model of Photovoltaic Module
Photovoltaic module consists of some number of solar cells.
If the environmental conditions of each solar cells(i.e.
irradiance, temperature, etc.) which constitute a module are
equal to each other, the output characteristic of a module is
varied by only the arrangement of solar cells.
If Ns solar cells are connected in series, the output voltage
of a module is equal to Ns times of the output voltage of
individual cells. And the output current of a module is equal
to that of every individual cell. If Np cells are connected in
parallel, the output voltage of a module is equal to that of a
individual cell, and the output current of a module is equal to
Np times of the output current of each individual solar cell.
According to the above mentioned output characteristics, the
output characteristics of a module which consists of Ns Np
solar cells are represented as follow:


M p
I N I =
(5)

scM p sc
I N I =
(6)

M s
V N V =
(7)

ocM s oc
V N V =
(8)

where subscript M stands for Module and subscripts without
M stand for an individual solar cell. The series resistance and
parallel resistance are represented as follow:

s
sM s
p
N
R R
N
=
(9)
Assume that the shunt resistance, Rsh, of a solar cell is
much larger than series resistance, Rs, and the effects of Rsh
can be neglected. So, the output current of a module can be
written as equation (10) by substituting equation (5)-(9) for
equation (1).


( )
exp 1
M sM M
M scM p s
B s
q V R I
I I N I
Ak TN
( | | +
=
( |
\
(10)

where IphM IscM has been assumed. Under the open circuit
condition, IM equals to zero. And the saturation current can be
represented as equation (11).


exp 1
scM
s
M
p
B s
I
I
qV
N
Ak TN
=
( | |

( |
\
(11)

Substituting the equation (11) for (10), the output current
equation can be represented as equation (12). This equation is
a compact expression of the I-V characteristics of a PV
module, useful for hand calculations.


( )
1 exp
M sM M ocM
M scM
B s
q V R I V
I I
Ak TN
( | | +
=
( |
\
(12)

C. Model of Photovoltaic Array
A photovoltaic array is formed by the arrangement of series
and parallel connected PV modules. Basic characteristics for
series and parallel connection of PV modules are similar to
that of individual solar cells. Under the identical conditions,
equation (5)-(9) can be extended as follow:


A pM M
I N I =
(13)

scA pM scM
I N I =
(14)

A sM M
V N V =
(15)

ocA sM ocM
V N V =
(16)
sM
sA sM
pM
N
R R
N
=
(17)

where subscript A stands for Array and subscript M stands
for Module. From these equations, the output current
equation for PV array can be represented as equation (18).

( )
exp 1
exp
pM scM
A sA A
A pM scM
B s sM ocM
s B
N I
q V R I
I N I
Ak TN N qV
N k T
( | | +
=
( |
| |
\
|
\
(18)

Fig. 2 shows the characteristics of a PV array which is
configured to 3 2 PV modules under identical conditions.



Fig. 2. Characteristics of a PV array under identical conditions.
(a) PV array configuration (b) I-V characteristics (c) P-V characteristics

Equation (18) and Fig. 2 are suitable to the identical case,
but it is not an suitable when the uniform illumination
intensity in a module is not satisfied (i.e. partial shading
condition).

III. EFFECTS OF PARTIAL SHADING CONDITIONS
A. Electrical Characteristics under Partial Shading Conditions
Partial shading condition is common situation due to the
shadow of buildings, trees, clouds, and dirties, etc. Under
partial shading condition, only one of the series strings of PV
modules is less illuminated and which then has to dissipate
some of the power generated by the rest of the modules. It
means that the current available in a series connection of PV
modules is limited by the current of the PV module which is
less illuminated.
This can be avoided by the use of bypass diodes which can
be placed across a PV module. This is to allow the array
current to flow in the right direction even if one of the strings
is completely shadowed. Actually, most of the commercial
PV modules have bypass diodes.
However, the characteristics get more complicated by the
bypass diodes. Fig. 3 shows the characteristics of a PV array
which is configured to 3 2 PV modules under partially
shaded condition (i.e. one of the PV modules is shaded). As
shown in Fig. 3 (c), the multiple local maxima could be
presented in voltage - power characteristic curve.

B. Approximate model of PV Array under Partial Shading
Condition
As shown in Fig. 3 (b), the characteristics of a PV array get
more complicated under partial shading condition and the
output current equation of PV array shown in equation (18) is
not suitable.
Fig. 4 shows a PV array configured by NsMNpM modules.
A string is indicated that the group of series connected
module, and the subscript x stands for the string number (i.e.

Fig. 3. Characteristics of a PV array under partially shaded condition.
(a) PV array configuration (b) I-V characteristics (c) P-V characteristics


Fig. 4. PV array configuration for approximate analysis

x = 1, 2, , NpM). Assume that the voltage drop across the
bypass diode of shaded module equal to zero, the number of
shaded module is expressed as NDx.
Under the partial shading conditions, equation (5)-(9) can
be extended as follow:


1
pM
N
A Ax
x
I I
=
=

(19)

1
pM
N
scA scAx
x
I I
=
=

(20)

( )
A Ax sM Dx M
V V N N V = =
(21)

( )
ocA sM Dx ocM
V N N V =
(22)

( )
sAx sM Dx sM
R N N R =
(23)

Ipv
Vpv
IscA
VocM
IscM
VocA
Vpv
Ppv
VocM VocA
Real
MPP
Local
MPP
(a) (c)
(b)
PV
Module
PV
Module
PV
Module
IA
VA
PV
Module
PV
Module
PV
Module
Shaded
Module
Blocking
Diode
Bypass
Diode
PV
Module
PV
Module
PV
Module
IA
VA=VAx
PV
Module
PV
Module
PV
Module
Shaded
Module
PV
Module
PV
Module
PV
Module
VM
IAx
NpM
NsM
NDx
X=1 X=2 X=NpM
String
PV
Module
PV
Module
PV
Module
IA
VA
PV
Module
PV
Module
PV
Module
Bypass
Diode
Blocking
Diode
Ipv
Vpv
IscA
VocM
IscM
VocA
Vpv
Ppv
VocM VocA
(a) (c)
(b)
From these equations, the output current equation for PV
array under partial shading condition can be represented as
equation (24).


( )
1
1
( )
1 exp
pM
pM
N
A Ax
x
N
A sAx Ax ocAx
scAx
x B s sM Dx
I I
q V R I V
I
Ak TN N N
=
=
=
( | |
+
= ( |
|

( \

(24)

This equations could be used as a extension rules when the
PV array model under identical conditions have been
established.

IV. SIMULATION STRATEGY
A. Assumption
In this paper, it is assumed that a PV module is configured
by 72 solar cells connected in series only, and the irradiation
levels of each cell are same in a module. The capability of
each PV module is 150[W] and the whole PV array is made
up of 20 modules which are connected in 10 series and 3
parallel arrangement.

B. Simulation Technique
In this paper, the simulation is based on the C-language
programming. Conventional C-language based simulation is
very complex, and many variables which are determined by
users are required. Because of this problems, many
researchers use Matlab. But this is not useful to the
simulation for power electronics circuit.
Fig. 5 shows the shading pattern program. The PV array
configuration is modeled by visual C++ in this shading
pattern program. Users can set the shaded and non-shaded
modules by setting the button. Each button represents a PV
module. Series connected modules are arranged horizontally,
and parallel connected modules are in vertically. Pushed
buttons indicate shaded module, non-pushed buttons indicate
identical module.
The number of shaded modules is checked, and the
checked data is saved as a text file which is read in PSIM
simulator. In this simulator, the PV array characteristic is
modeled by current source and it is controlled by the
calculation of output current of series connected PV array.
The number in the bottom of the figure represents the
number of identical modules in series connected string. Using
this number, the PV model perceives the whole PV array
condition, consequently. In this simulation program, the
shading factor can be selectable. Furthermore, the attendance
of bypass diode also can be selectable.





Fig. 5. Screen-shot of PV array modeling for determine shading condition.


V. SIMULATION RESULTS
In this paper, the simulation is performed using PSIM 6.0.
Fig. 6 shows the simulation schematic. The file block in this
schematic is the output of the shading pattern program which
is enplaned in Fig. 4. Designed PV module is KPEM-
S150A72. The module parameter is presented in Table I.

Fig. 6. PSIM simulation schematic.

TABLE I
SIMULATED PV MODULE PARAMETERS

Fig. 7 shows the simulation result of a single PV module
which is modeled according to the Table I. From this figure,
it is confirmed that the peak power, open-circuit voltage,
PV module model name KPEM-S150A72
Nominal Peak Power (Pm) 150 [W]
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) 43.4 [V]
Short Circuit Current (Isc) 4.8 [A]
Maximum Power Voltage (Vmp) 34.1 [V]
Maximum Power Current (Imp) 4.4 [A]
Weight 16 [kg]
Module eff (%) 13 [%]
short-circuit current , voltage and current at the MPP is
matched to the parameters in Table I.

Fig. 7. Simulation results for single module characteristics
(a) I-V characteristics (b) P-V characteristics

Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show the output characteristics
to the shading pattern expressed in Fig. 5.
simulation result in the case without bypass diode, and Fig. 9
is of with bypass diode.
In Fig. 8, the maximum output power is about 350[W].
Butin Fig. 9, the maximum output power is about 1.6[kW]. It
can be confirmed that the effect of presence of bypass diodes
and the multiple local maxima.

Fig. 8. Simulation result according to Fig.5 without
(a) I-V characteristics. (b) P-V characteristics.

Fig. 9. Simulation result according to Fig. 5 with bypass diode.
(a) I-V characteristics. (b) P-V characteristics
circuit current , voltage and current at the MPP is
Simulation results for single module characteristics.
V characteristics
show the output characteristics according
to the shading pattern expressed in Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is the
simulation result in the case without bypass diode, and Fig. 9
8, the maximum output power is about 350[W].
Butin Fig. 9, the maximum output power is about 1.6[kW]. It
can be confirmed that the effect of presence of bypass diodes
without bypass diode.
V characteristics.
with bypass diode.
V characteristics.
Fig 10 represents effects of the flow of clouds. Fig. 10 (a)
shows the shading pattern, and (b) shows the PV array
characteristic changing by partial shading of (a).

(a) Shading pattern by the flow of cloud.
(b) PV array characteristic changing
Fig. 10. Effects of the flow of the clo

VI. CONCLUSION
In this paper, the C-language based PV array simulation
technique is proposed. Based on numerical analysis and
modeling about the PV array under partial shading condition,
the effect of presence of bypass diodes is described.
shading pattern is determined by t
which is programmed by visual C++.
The validity of proposed method
result. In the simulation result, a PV module is modeled and
the changes in PV array output characteristics according to
presence of diode, shading patterns are shown.
Under partially shaded condition, multiple local maxima
can be presented in the power-voltage characteristic curve of
PV array. Multiple local maxima can cause the failure of
maximum power point tracking. Consequently, proposed
method is expected to be used in the study of modified
maximum power point tracker scheme.

REFERENCES
[1] Monji G. Jaboori, Mohamed M. Saied
contribution to the simulation and design optimization of photovoltaic
systems, IEEE Trans. Energy Convers., vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 401
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Fig 10 represents effects of the flow of clouds. Fig. 10 (a)
shading pattern, and (b) shows the PV array
characteristic changing by partial shading of (a).
Shading pattern by the flow of cloud.
PV array characteristic changing
Effects of the flow of the clouds
ONCLUSION
language based PV array simulation
Based on numerical analysis and
modeling about the PV array under partial shading condition,
the effect of presence of bypass diodes is described. The
shading pattern is determined by the shading pattern program
by visual C++.
method is verified by simulation
result. In the simulation result, a PV module is modeled and
the changes in PV array output characteristics according to
de, shading patterns are shown.
Under partially shaded condition, multiple local maxima
voltage characteristic curve of
Multiple local maxima can cause the failure of
maximum power point tracking. Consequently, proposed
is expected to be used in the study of modified
maximum power point tracker scheme.
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