Modelling an Influence of Solar Cells' Connection Manner in Silicon Photovoltaic Modules on Their Characteristics with Partial Shading

The article considers the problem of an influence of partial shading on the characteristics of photovoltaic modules (PV modules). Different manners of connections of silicon solar cells contained in such modules are considered, e.g., classical PV modules (I and II generation of modules) and modules made using half-cut technology (III generation of modules). A model of PV modules was proposed. This model has the form of a network for the SPICE program and takes into account the influence of partial shading of the PV module caused by clouds or terrain and architectural obstacles on its current and voltage. The form of the model was described, and the DC characteristics of the considered classical and half-cut modules, calculated using the formulated model, were compared to the measurement results under different shading conditions. Some calculations using the proposed model were performed for different methods to connect solar cells in PV modules. The obtained results were discussed.