A simplified simulation model of silicon photovoltaic modules for performance evaluation at different operating conditions

We report here a simplified and improved technique for modeling and simulation for the Photovoltaic module using MATLAB/Simulink environment. Parameters of the equivalent-circuit model are obtained using the iterative algorithm by adjusting the output characteristics curve. The present work evaluates the current-voltage (I-V) and power-voltage (P-V) characteristics under different ambient conditions employing a single-diode model. The module performance is significantly affected by solar irradiance, ambient temperature and partial shading. This report aims to perform the detailed analysis of partial shading effect on module performance, which is considered as important real-time problem. The proposed simulation technique provides an accurate and reliable method to extract different sources of resistance, such as series and shunt resistance in the PV module. A MSX60 photovoltaic module is used as a reference for the present study. The characteristic curves of the simulated model are in good agreement with the available experimental data. The developed simulation model could also be extended for performance assessment of other photovoltaic modules and in the design of efficient power converters.