Solar Cell Model :

A solar cell is a p-n junction so it is basically a diode

but it is a special kind of diode.

If there is no sunlight striking the cell, then it

will behave exactly like a diode, allowing the
current to flow only in one direction

In sunlight, the cell would be modeled ideally by a

diode connected in parallel with a current source.
Ipv is a current
However, the real model consists of
source that is RSthe following
is the internal
series resistance of
analogous to
components ~~
the potential the cell.
current the Ideally RS=0
sunlight Cell output
create. current

Cell output
RSH is the shunt resistance. Some voltage
electron-hole pair will recombine
across the junction. It is the
resistance to the “current leak”.
Ideally RSH=∞
Putting the value of ID to the
previous equation the cell
output current (I) becomes

Bolzmann’s Charge n is the

Diode/cell constant of an model
reverse electron parameter
saturation 1.5 for Si cell
current

Applying KCL
 Cell
The equation
saturation for the cell/diode reverse saturation current Irs is
current at
Tr

Solar
irradiation
Working (KW/sq.m)
temperature
of the cell
Reference
temperature
And the equation for the light generated or photon current Ipv is

Short circuit
Short circuit
current
current of
temp.
the cell
coefficient
But unfortunately the output power of a single PV cell is very small

Due to the low voltage generated in a PV cell (around 0.5V),

several PV cells are connected in series (for high voltage)
and in parallel (for high current) to form a PV module for
desired output.
 Then the equation of the cell output current (I) becomes

Number of Number of
cells in cells in series
parallel
Characteristic curve of PV array:

Here I
assume
RS=0 &
RSH=∞
For simplicity

Those are for constant temperature & irradiation

Output Voltage
Output Voltage
Vs output
Vs output
current curve
power curve
Solar Irradiation Variation’s Effect

100 mW/sq.cm

80 mW/sq.cm
Variation of
Solar irradiation
60 mW/sq.cm

40 mW/sq.cm

20 mW/sq.cm
Temperature Variation’s Effect

28˚c

40˚c

50˚c

60˚c Variation of
70˚c
Temperature

VI curve

PV curve
Influence of Partial Shadow :

Ideally PV modules should be built using identical cells so to have a

module with uniform characteristic. If irradiation cannot reach particular
solar cell – due to shadowing, dirt, snow and leaves – then the photon
current Iph of this particular solar cell is zero or very small. When
connecting PV cells/modules in series, if one of the PV cells/modules
has a much lower photo current Iph than others due to partial shading,
dust or degradation, it operates as a load for other cells and is reversed
biased. This cell/module will then dissipate energy rather than generate
hence leading to a cell temperature rise and if the temperature is too
high the cell/module can be damaged and affect the whole PV
module/array is compromised

The most common method to avoid this is

to put a bypass diode across a PV string
or modules
An array with 3 cells is considered

Low illuminated panels however make no contribution to the load power

as these are short circuited by the bypass diodes.
Why MPPT ??????

This voltage can be achieved by step up or step down

the panel output voltage.
PV curve
This can be done by DC-DC converter by varying Duty
Cycle.

If the Panel always

operate this voltage
then we always can
get the MAX. power
This is done by utilizing a DC-DC converter whose duty cycle is varied
by using a mppt algorithm. The system oscillates
about the MPP if
Few of the many algorithms are: perturbation step size
is large. The oscillation
can be minimized by
• Perturb and Observe method reducing the
• Incremental Conductance method perturbation step size.
• Parasitic Capacitance method But, a smaller
• Constant Voltage method perturbation size slows
down the MPPT
• Constant Current method

One of the most common is Perturb and Observe method. The

operating voltage is sampled and the algorithm changes the operating
voltage in the required direction and samples𝑑𝑃/𝑑𝑉. If 𝑑𝑃/𝑑𝑉 is
positive, then the algorithm increases the voltage value towards the
MPP until 𝑑𝑃/𝑑𝑉is negative. This iteration is continued until the
algorithm finally reaches the MPP. The voltage never actually reaches an
exact value but perturbs around the maximum power point (MPP).