Modeling and Simulation of Photovoltaic Components of a

Solar Power System

Ajith Gopi

Parsons Brinckerhoff
Parson Brinckerhoff
>14,000 people
150 offices
six continents

PB Power Asia
500 people
Most major Asian
cities
Asia-Pacific region
since early 1990s
Engineering Support
for solar and wind
power development

Recent Solar PV Modeling

Experiences
LEs Technical Advisor for
Multiple Solar PV Projects
in China (25.5MW)
Technical Due Diligence
of PV Projects (20MW) in
Portugal for a client in
Korea
LE for 25 MW Solar PV
project in Gujarat in India

Contents

PV Cell Model
The output current from the PV cell can be
found using the equation:
I=Isc-Id
(Where Isc is the short-circuit current that is
equal to the photon generated current, and Id is the
current shunted through the diode)

The diode current is given by the

Schottky diode equation:
Id= I0* (eq*Vd/(k*T) -1)
(Where Isc is the reverse saturation current of the
diode (A),
q is the electron charge (1.602 x 10-19C), Vd is the
voltage across the diode (V), k is the Boltzmanns
constant (1.381x10-23 J/K) and T is the junction
temperature in Kelvin (K))

PV Cell Model (continued)

Combining the diode current equation with the equation for the output
current of the PV cell creates:
I= Isc- I0* (eq*V/(k*T) -1)
(Where V is the voltage across the PV cell, and I is the output
current)
We can solve for the reverse saturation current (I0) by setting I=0 (no
output current).
I0=
Isc
(eq*Vd/(k*T) -1)

More accurate model of a PV Cell

Taking into account the series Resistance, Shunt Resistance and

Recombinations, the equation becomes:
I= Isc I01 * (eq*V+I*Rs /(k*T) -1) I02* (eq*V+I*Rs /(2*k*T) -1)- (V+I*Rs)/Rp
The two diodes can be combined to simplify the equation to:
I= Isc I0 * (eq*V+I*Rs /(n* k*T) -1) - (V+I*Rs)/Rp
(Where n is known as the ideality factor and takes a value
between one and two)

Model of a PV Cell

The effect of the shunt resistance is minimal for a small number of

modules.
Therefore, we can assume Rp=
, simplifying the photon-generated
current equation to:
I= Isc I0 * (eq*(V+I*Rs /(n*k*T)-1)

Simulink - PV Cell Model

PV Cell Model
I-V and Power Characteristics

Simulink Implementation of PV Module

PV Modules are implemented as Masked Subsystems in
Simulink in two Input modes

Current Input PV
Module

Voltage Input PV
Module

Model parameters for the Simulink

Model
Model parameters, in both cases, are
the standard PV module data-sheet
parameters:
Short-circuit current Isc
Open-circuit voltage Voc
Rated current Ir at maximum power
point (MPP)
Rated voltage Vr at MPP
(Under standard test conditions of
1kW/m2, 1.5 AM, 25oC).

Simulink Implementation of a Current

Input PV Module
Inputs:
PV current Ipv [A]
Insolation [W/m2]
Outputs:
PV voltage Vpv [V]
PV output power Ppv [W]
This model is well suited for the case
when modules are connected in series
and share the same current

Simulink PV Module Model

Simulink PV Module Model Sub System

with Current Input (Ipv)

Simulink Implementation of a Current

Input PV Module

Inputs:
PV voltage Vpv [V]
Insolation [W/m2]
Outputs:
PV current Ipv [A]
PV output power Ppv [W]
This model is well suited for the case when
modules are connected in parallel and share
the same voltage

PV Module Sub System with Voltage

Input (Vpv) (Suitable for Parallel Connections)

Simulink PV Module Model as a Software

Tool for Performance Analysis

PV Module Model I-V and Power

Characteristics

Performance Comparison two PV

Modules
Data Sheet Parameters of
Module A

Data Sheet Parameters of

Module B

Isc

2.5 A

Isc

2.5 A

Voc

21.8 V

Voc

21 V

Imp

2.3 A

Imp

2.18 A

Vmp

17.3 V

Vmp

17 V

Power at S.T.C

40 W

Power at S.T.C 40 W

I V Characteristics comparison and

validating with PV Syst values

Fill Factor is
more for
Module A
since the
squareness of
the curves is
more for
Module A.
Hence
Module A is
more efficient
than Module B

Power Characteristics Comparison odf

Module A & B

Fill Factor is directly

proportional to the
Power output of the PV
Module

Hence it is evident that

output power of Module
A more compared to
Module B

Simulink PV Array Model

(WITH SOLAR MODULE MODEL SUBSYSTEM BLOCK WITH CURRENT (Ipv) INPUT)

Conclusions

Photovoltaic components of a Solar Power System are

mathematically modelled and then simulated in Matlab/Simulink.

Simulink models are implemented for:

Solar Cell, PV Module (Current Input Model and Voltage Input Model)
& a typical Solar Array

Development of a Software tool for the PV Module Performance

Evaluation from the Module Data Sheet Parameters.

Any Questions?

Thank you for your attention!

Further information please contact:

Ajith Gopi
Principal Engineer
gopi.ajith@pbworld.com