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A Detailed Study and Modeling of Photovoltaic Module under Real Climatic

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DOI: 10.12720/ijeee.3.3.171-176

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 International Journal of Electronics and Electrical Engineering Vol. 3, No. 3, June 2015

A Detailed Study and Modeling of Photovoltaic

Module under Real Climatic Conditions
H. Yatimi and El. H. Aroudam
Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Sciences, Modeling and Simulation of Mechanical Systems
Laboratory/Physics department, Tetouan, Morocco
Email: yatimi.hanane@gmail.com

Abstract—The study of photovoltaic systems (PV) in an military and space applications or grid-connected
efficient manner requires a precise knowledge of the I-V configurations like hybrid systems and power plants [3]
and P-V characteristic curves of PV modules. Therefore, The increase in a number of Photovoltaic system installed
our work presents the modeling and simulation of PV all over the world brought the need for proper supervision
module using the Matlab environment and taking into and control algorithms as well as modeling and
consideration the measurements carried out under real
simulation tool for researcher and practitioners involved
working conditions in Tetouan (Northern Morocco). The
model is developed based on the mathematical model of the in its application.
PV module, which is based on that of an elementary PV The modeling and electrical characterization of panels
solar cell. A particular PV module is selected for the currently marketed are needed to optimize the operation
analysis of developed model. The essential parameters of photovoltaic systems using these PV panels. This may
required for modeling the system are taken from datasheets. considerably reduce the cost of the PV system [4] and
I-V and P-V characteristic curves highly depend on some increase the efficiency of PV generators. The major
climatic factors such as solar radiation and temperature problem of the production of electrical energy by this
that are locally measured for the typical clear day of two technique is the optimal functioning of the PV panels
months June (summer) and December (winter), are
(modules). However, the development of profitable
obtained by simulation for the selected module and
discussed. This tool will also be used to determinate the conversion systems and economically viable pass
optimal design of such a system for many applications. necessarily by the understanding of different components
 of the system whose the fundamental unit is the solar PV
Index Terms—photovoltaic cell and module, IV-PV curves, module. The latter is composed of several solar cells that
modeling, simulation require study and understanding.
The main aim of this paper is to provide the reader
with the fundamental knowledge on modeling and
I. INTRODUCTION simulation of photovoltaic generator blocks based on
Currently, the sources of energy and harmful increase mathematical equations. Modeling and simulation of
in greenhouse are problems of actuality. The additional physical system in computer become more attractive than
danger is that excessive consumption of natural resources ever due to advanced software like Matlab. The principle
stock reduced the reserves of this type of energy in a of operation of the PV cell and its fundamental
dangerous way for future generations. To conserve our characteristics are presented. Afterwards, the
globe, the scientific community gave evidence that mathematical model of the ideal PV cell and also the
mankind has to decrease the green house gases emissions, practical PV cell are discussed. Finally, the measurement
mainly CO2 and methane, by 60-70% as a minimum until results and simulation model developed in Matlab
the year 2050 [1] In order not to harm our natural living environment based on First Solar FS Series 3 Black PV
spaces and threaten their resilience, a renewed module [5] are presented and discussed.
compatibility would require a suitable form of energy
alternatives sources that should be independent, easily II. OPERATION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF PV SOLAR
accessible, and low in cost and should be environmentally CELLS
clean. Renewable energy, and in particular power
generation from solar energy using Photovoltaic (PV) has A. Principle of Operation of PV Solar Cells
emerged in last decades since it has the aforesaid An array of solar cells converts solar energy into a
advantages and less maintenance, no wear and tear. This usable amount of direct current (DC) electricity. The
Photovoltaic energy is the fact of producing the electrical solar cell which is the fundamental element of a
energy by solar panels [2]. The main applications of PV photovoltaic system is mainly made out of semiconductor
systems are in either stand-alone systems such as water material and silicon being the most abundantly used
pumping, domestic and street lighting, electric vehicles, semiconductor, currently, fundamentally, three type of
technology are used in the production of solar cells:
Manuscript received December 23, 2013; revised June 10, 2014. monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon and

©2015 Engineering and Technology Publishing 171

doi: 10.12720/ijeee.3.3.171-176
 International Journal of Electronics and Electrical Engineering Vol. 3, No. 3, June 2015

amorphous silicon. The efficiency is 15%, 13% and 7% Short Circuit Current (Isc): Isc is the current
respectively [6]. corresponds to the short circuit condition when the
Solar cells directly convert solar energy into electrical impedance of the solar cell is low or zero and is the
energy. This physical phenomenon (called photoelectric maximum current value that the cell can provide. It is a
effect which is to establish an electromotive force when function of the illuminated surface, the solar irradiation
the surface of the cell is exposed to light) occurs in spectrum and the temperature. This current increases
materials which have the property of capture photon and linearly with the light intensity of the cell. And it is
emit electrons. The physical principle governing the obtained when the voltage is zero.
behavior of a photovoltaic cell, can be explained, based
on a p-n junction of a semiconductor material sensitive to I (at V=0) = Isc (2)
sunlight, Being exposed to the sunlight, photons with Fill Factor (FF): FF is essentially a measure of quality
energy greater than the band-gap energy of the of the solar cell. It is calculated by comparing the
semiconductor creates some electron-hole pairs maximum power that can be delivered to the cell Pmax to
proportional to the incident irradiation. The electrical the theoretical power (Pt) by multiplying the open-circuit
behavior of a PV cell is essentially that of a diode. This voltage by the short-circuit current. It is defined by the
transformation is without mechanical action, without relation:
noise, without fuel and nonpolluting.
The generated voltage can vary from 0.3V to 0.7V P max
FF  (3)
depending on the material used and its disposal as well as Vco.Icc
the temperature and the aging of the cell [7]. Solar cells
where Pmax = Vm.Im
are connected in series to increase the output voltage.
Vm, Im: Voltage (V) et Current (A) corresponding to
Similarly, the cells in parallel will yield a higher current.
the maximum power.
B. Characteristics of PV Solar Cell It therefore represents the difference between the
The nonlinear Current-Voltage and Power-Voltage actual cell and a cell for which Rs = 0 and Rp = ∞ (ideal
characteristics of the solar cell which present how the PV cell). The fill factor diminishes as the cell temperature is
cell reacts to all possible loads under specific solar increased. Typical fill factors range from 0.5 to 0.82, and
radiation and temperature conditions is shown in Fig. 1. the closer it is to 1, the cell is close to ideal.
Efficiency (η): η is the main parameter of photovoltaic
cells. It is the power conversion efficiency. And it is
defined as the ratio between the maximum power
supplied by the cell Pmax and the power of the incident
light Pin. It is defined by the relation:
P max FF .Icc.Vco
  (4)
Pin Pin
Pin: incident power (light power received by the cell in
W), and is taken as the product of the solar radiation of
the incident light (G=λ/1000), measured in W/m2, with
the surface area (Ac) of the solar cell in m2.
Pin = G. Ac (5)
Figure 1. Current-Voltage and power-voltage characteristics of solar
cell. This efficiency can be improved by increasing the
form factor, the short-circuit current and the open-circuit
The current-voltage characteristic of a module is easy voltage.
to obtain: just multiply the voltage of a cell by the
number of cells in series Ns, and the current by the III. METHODOLOGY
number of cells in parallel Np. There exist several mathematical models in the
The fundamental parameters related to solar cell [8] literature to describe photovoltaic cells, from simple to
are open circuit voltage (Voc), short circuit current (Isc),
more complex models ranging that account for different
fill factor (FF) and efficiency of solar cell (η).
reverse saturation currents. The two-diode equations with
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): Voc is the voltage across
the saturation currents I01 and I02 and with the diode
the cell when it is not connected to a load or when
factors A1 and A2 describe diffusion and recombination
connected to a load of infinite resistor and there is no
characteristics of the charge carriers in the material itself
current passing through the cell. Its value decreases with
and in the space-charge zone [8]. To simplify parameter
temperature and changes slightly with radiation. The
adjustment, the two-diode model can be reduced to a one-
Open circuit voltage is calculated when the current equals
diode model as proposed [9], in which, according to the
to zero.
Shockley theory, recombination in the space-charge zone
V (at I=0) = Voc (1) is neglected, so the second diode term is omitted [8].

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 International Journal of Electronics and Electrical Engineering Vol. 3, No. 3, June 2015

Furthermore, the single-diode equivalent circuit is the semiconductor, as well as bad contacts (Semi conductor,
most commonly adopted model for PV cells, accounting electrodes).
for the photon-generated current and the physics of the p- Rp: Parallel resistor, called ‘Shunt’ comes from the
n junction of a PV cell. recombination losses mainly due to the thickness, the
Firstly, we consider an electrical circuit with a single surface effects and the non-ideality of the junction.
diode (single exponential) as the equivalent photovoltaic Rs and Rp modify the short-circuit current of the cell
cell circuit in the present paper. Secondly, we define the in photocurrent Iph, we will have the following
characteristic equations from this circuit; and finally, we equivalent electrical circuit [9].
insert these equations in matlab environment and we According to the law of Kirchhoff to the nodes A and
obtain the simulation results. B, we have:
As the PV module is composed of group of cells, its
model is based on that of a PV solar cell. I = I ph - I D - I p (8)

A. Mathatematical Model of PV Cell (Ideal Cell Case) I ph : Photocurrent independent of V (or RS), it is
The equivalent circuit of an ideal PV cell is shown in proportional to the incident flux (rate of generation-
Fig. 2. It includes a current source Iph, which models the recombination) and the carrier diffusion length, and it is
photocurrent associated with a diode in parallel, which linearly dependent on the solar radiation and is also
models the PN junction which its polarization determines influenced by temperature according to the following
the voltage (Fig. 2) [9] equation:

 I SCr + Ki T - Tref   1000

I ph =   G (9)

where:
I SCr is the short circuit current (at STC).
K i is the short-circuit current/temperature co-efficient of
Figure 2. Equivalent circuit of ideal solar cell cell, T and Tref are the working temperature of cell and
The characteristic equation of the ideal cell is given by reference temperature respectively in K.
(6) and (7). G is the solar radiation on the cell surface, (1000W/m²
is the nominal radiation).
I  Icc  I D (6) I p : Current through Rp, it is given by:
I, V: Current and voltage provided by the cell. VD V + RS I (10)
Ip = =
I D : Diode current given by: Rp Rp
qV
( ) I D : Diode Current, it is of the same order of
I D  I 0 (e KT
 1) (7)
magnitude as I p for the low voltages and it becomes very
B. Mathematical Model of PV Cell (Real/Practical Cell high around Voc, and it is given by:
Case) qVD
( )
A more complete equivalent circuit of the photovoltaic I D = I 0 (e AKT
-1) (11)
solar cell is shown in Fig. 3. Series resistors Rs and
parallel (shunt) Rp that limit the performance of the cell where,
are added to the model to take into account the dissipative q: Electron Charge constant, 1.6 10-19 C.
phenomena at the cell (internal losses) [10]. K: Boltzmann’s constant (1.386503.10-23J/K).
T: Cell temperature, in Kelvin.
I 0 is the reverse saturation current of the diode and it
is given by:

I0 = I rs T/Tref  exp  q * Eg 0 /Ak  1/Tref -1/T 

3
(12)

Irs: is the diode saturation current and it is given by:

I SCr
I rs = (13)
Figure 3. Equivalent circuit of real solar cell with Rs and Rp exp(qVOC /N S kAT ) -1
Rs: Series resistor, mainly due to losses by Joule effect Replacing in (8), (10) and (11), the characteristic
through grids collection and to the specific resistor of the equation becomes:

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 International Journal of Electronics and Electrical Engineering Vol. 3, No. 3, June 2015

q (V + RS I )
( ) V + RS I (14) The PV power increases during the first hours of the
AKT
I = Iph - I 0 (e -1) - ( ) day and gradually decreases, as we can see in the figures
Rp
below.
A: is the ideality factor of the cell depends on 2
903.65 W/m ²
recombination mechanisms in the space charge zone.
In the ideal case, Rs tends towards 0 and Rp to infinity. 1.5
And in the real case, these resistors provide an 4 p.m (575.54 W/m²)

Current (A)
assessment of the imperfections of the diode; considering
that the resistance Rs has a low value. Using a numerical 1
9 a.m (551.13 W/m²)
method and under illumination, the slopes of the I-V
characteristics are calculated at I=0 open circuit and short 0.5
circuit V=0 and respectively give the inverse of series 46.27 W/m ²
and shunt resistance values [11]. 0
0 10 20 30 40 50
C. Reference Model Voltage (V)
In order to apply these concepts to developments of a Figure 4. I-V characteristic - varying solar radiation - constant
solar cell model, the First Solar FS Series 3 Black PV temperature (25°C) in June (summer)
module has been chosen for modeling. This module
consists of 154 CdS/CdTe semiconductor active cells. The figure above shows that in typical clear day of
The key specifications are shown in Table I. summer (June), the current reaches its maximum at 1pm
(1.86A) whereabouts the solar radiation is 903.65W/m²,
TABLE I. ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS DATA OF PV MODULE AT then decreases progressively to zero at 7pm whereabouts
STC the solar radiation is 51.7W/m².
Parameters value
Maximum Power (Pmax) 90W 490.17 W/m ²
1
Voltage at Maximum Power (Vmp) 47.4V
0.8
Current (A)

Current at Maximum Power (Imp) 1.90A 2.30 p.m (309.99 W/m²)

Open Circuit voltage (Voc) 60.5V 0.6
Short Circuit current (Isc) 2.06A
0.4 9.30 a.m (297.32 W/m²)
Nominal operating cell temperature (NOCT) 45°C
9 W/m ²
0.2
The performance of solar cell is normally evaluated 0
0 10 20 30 40 50
under the standard test condition (STC), where an
Voltage (V)
average solar spectrum at AM 1.5 is used, the solar
radiation is normalized to 1000W/m2, and the cell Figure 5. I-V characteristic - varying solar radiation - constant
temperature (25°C) in December (winter)
temperature is defined as 25ºC.
The figure above shows that in typical clear day of
IV. SIMULATION RESULTS
winter (December). The current reaches its maximum at
In order to have a model to simulate the operation of 12.30am (1.012A) whereabouts the solar radiation is
our associated cells, we developed a model in Matlab 490.17W/m², then decreases progressively to zero at
environmen by using the equations given previously and 6.30pm whereabouts the solar radiation is 00W/m².
also the First Solar FS Series 3 Black PV module is taken
4 p.m (575.54 W/m²) 903.65 W/m ²
as reference module, and we obtained the Current- 60
Voltage and Power-Voltage characteristic curves. 9 a.m (551.13 W/m²)
Power (W)

A. Solar Radiation Effects on PV Module 40

Characteristics
The response of a PV cell at different levels of solar 20
radiation and at constant temperature 25°C Shows that
46.27 W/m ²
solar radiation has a significant effect on the short-circuit 0
current (Fig. 4 and Fig. 5), while the effect on the voltage 0 10 20 30 40 50
in open circuit is quite low. Regarding the power, we can Voltage (V)
clearly see the existence of the maximum on the power Figure 6. P-V characteristic - varying solar radiation - constant
curves (Fig. 6 and Fig. 7) corresponding to the Maximum temperature (25°C) in June (summer)
Power Point Pmax.
When the solar radiation is high, the cell generates The figure above shows that in typical clear day of
more power. summer (June), the power reaches its maximum at 1pm
These figures show the generated current and power by (61.74W) whereabouts the solar radiation is 903.65W/m²,
one PV module of the typical clear day of two months, then decreases progressively to zero at 7pm whereabouts
June (summer) and December (winter). the solar radiation is 51.7W/m².

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 International Journal of Electronics and Electrical Engineering Vol. 3, No. 3, June 2015

2.30 p.m (309.99 W/m²) 490.17 W/m ² The figures above show that in typical clear day of
30 summer (June), the power is inversely proportional to the
9.30 a.m (297.32 W/m²)
temperature (the solar radiation is fixed at his maximum
Power (W)

20 903.65W/m²). So, when the temperature is equal to 24°C

the power reaches its maximum 84.41W, then decreases
10 progressively to 79.27W whereabouts the temperature is
9 W/m ² equal to 27.24°C. The same for the voltage, 62V for 24°C,
0 then decreases to 59V for 27.24°C. While the current still
0 10 20 30 40 50 in the same value 1.86A for different value of the
Voltage (V)
temperature.
Figure 7. P-V characteristic - varying solar radiation - constant 12.4 °C
1
temperature (25°C) in December (winter)
0.8

Current (A)
The figure above shows that in typical clear day of 0.6
winter (December). The power reaches its maximum at 14.3 °C
0.4
12.30am (30.7W) whereabouts the solar radiation is
490.17W/m², then decreases progressively to zero at 7pm 0.2
whereabouts the solar radiation is 00W/m². 0
0 10 20 30 40 50
B. Temperature Effects on PV Module Characteristics Voltage (V)
The temperature is an important parameter in the Figure 10. I-V characteristic - constant solar radiation (490.17W/m2) -
behavior of solar cells. The temperature has also an varying temperature in December (winter)
influence on the characteristic of a PV generator. Fig. 8,
Fig. 9, Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 show the variation of the 30
12.4 °C
characteristics of a PV module at different levels of
Power (W)

temperature and at a given solar radiation (fixed at the

20
maximum of the typical clear day of the two months,
14.3 °C
June and December) So, we can clearly see that the
10
temperature has a very important effect on the open
circuit voltage and a no remarkable effect on both the
0
short circuit current (Fig. 8 and Fig. 10) and the power of 0 10 20 30 40 50
the module (Fig. 9 and Fig. 11). Voltage (V)
When the temperature is low, the cell generates more Figure 11. P-V characteristic - constant solar radiation (490.17W/m2)
power. These figures show the generated current and - varying temperature in December (winter)
power by one PV module of the typical clear day of two
months, June (summer) and December (winter). The figures above show that in typical clear day of
winter (December), the power is inversely proportional to
2
24°C the temperature (the solar radiation is fixed at his
maximum 490.17W/m²). So, when the temperature is
1.5
equal to 12.4°C the power reaches its maximum 32.69W,
Current (A)

1 then decreases progressively to 29.73W whereabouts the

27.24°C temperature is equal to 14.3°C. The same for the voltage,
0.5 47.5V for 12.4°C, then decreases to 44 V for 14.3°C.
While the current still in the same value 1.01A for
0 different value of the temperature.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Voltage (V)
V. CONCLUSIONS
Figure 8. I-V characteristic - constant solar radiation (903.65W/m2) -
varying temperature in June (summer) In this work, we presented a study and modeling of the
PV module to understand its electrical operation
80 24°C depending on climatic factors. The essential parameters
are taken from the datasheet for the typical 90W module
60
Power (W)

selected for analysis. The simulation of the module based

27.24°C on mathematical equations using Matlab environment and
40
the real meteorological data collected from Tetouan,
20 showed that the Current-Voltage and Power-Voltage
characteristic curves are highly influenced by temperature
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 and solar radiation. The following of this work is based
Voltage (V) on optimizing the performance of PV modules using
Figure 9. P-V characteristic - constant solar radiation (903.65W/m2) - commands and techniques to minimize the influence of
varying temperature in June (summer) these meteorological parameters.

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 International Journal of Electronics and Electrical Engineering Vol. 3, No. 3, June 2015

ACKNOWLEDGMENT [8] A. Naci Celik and N. Acikgoz, “Modeling and experimental

verification of the operating current of monocrystalline
Gratitude is expressed to the editor and the anonymous photovoltaic modules using four- and five-parameter models,”
reviewers for their valuable and constructive comments, Applied Energy, vol. 84, pp. 1-15, 2007.
[9] E. Parbaile, “Contribution à l’optimisation des techniques de
which will be very helpful in improving the quality of the depots sous vide de cellules solaires organiques,” Doctoral thesis,
paper. Limoges Univ., 2009.
[10] A. T. Singo, “Systeme d’alimentation photovoltaïque avec
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