Shading Tolerance of Different PV Module Topologies
Abstract
This paper analyzes the significance of solar cells interconnection in a module to improve the module shading tolerance. Different PV module configurations are considered in this paper – series, series-parallel and total cross tied. Corresponding PSpice models are developed to simulate the power loss for different module configurations. Simulations are performed for various shading patterns to understand the effect of cells interconnection scheme leading to higher power loss. Shading tolerance with respect to power loss, maximum reverse voltage drop and peak power dissipation in a shaded cell is analyzed and was observed that series configuration is more prone to power losses compared to series-parallel and total cross tied configuration.
Keywords
Partial shading, Pv module configuration, Solar cell, Solar module, Series connection, Series parallel connection, Total cross tied connection