Search results for "pv module"

Manufacturing tolerances effects on PV array energy production

2014

This paper investigates the tolerance effects of commercial photovoltaic modules in terms of electrical energy reduction of photovoltaic plants. Several commercial modules, having the same rated power, present different power tolerance values. A wide tolerance is an indicator of possible defects or differences in the production process and is responsible of remarkable reductions in the electricity production of photovoltaic plants. In this paper, thanks to the development of a suitable simulation tool, several simulations have been carried out, considering different tolerance and shading conditions for the PV array. Simulation results quantify the peak power value of the different plant con…

Dynamic reconfiguration of electrical connections for partially shaded PV modules: Technical and economical performances of an Arduino-based prototype

2018

The partial shading phenomenon is a well known problem of photovoltaic plants. Partial shading leads to undesirable effects such the electrical mismatch, the generation of hot spots, and generally the decrease of production of electric energy. To mitigate the last effect, a dynamic reconfiguration of the electrical connections between modules was taken into account. In this paper, starting from an already developed system for a small-scale photovoltaic plant reconfiguration, the study of the economical benefits of the employment of a reconfigurator are traced. Five different incentive policies of diverse Countries have been considered to evaluate the increase of Net Present Value of system …

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Based Non Destructive Diagnostics

2018

The paper proposes a cloud platform for analyzing the radiometric infrared videos uploaded by drones which patrol large photovoltaic plants. Thanks to artificial vision algorithms, it does not require any human support to select and associate the framed PV modules to the corresponding ones in the topology of the photovoltaic plant. The algorithm implements an innovative diagnostic protocol, which evaluates the thermal state of the photovoltaic module, whichever the environmental conditions are. The data automatically computed and collected in a multimedia database provide the O&M technicians with significant information to monitor the ageing of each module of the photovoltaic plant. The pro…

Optimization of the Optical Components in a Reflective High CPV Module

2014

A DC-DC power converter for PV module characterization

2014

In this paper, a standard-compliant electronic load setup for PV module curve detection which features high accuracy, low cost and components count is proposed. The proposed device is based on a DC-DC power converter in open-loop configuration. The proposed system is designed according to regulation constraints in order to achieve high performances in curve detection. Design criteria are discussed. The model is implemented in PSIM environment. Simulation based on data input of a commercial PV Conergy E215P module are carried out under several environmental conditions to show the accuracy of the proposed electronic load. Simulation results are reported.

Impact of the Solar Irradiation Angle on the Work of Modules with Spherical Cells - Simulation

2018

The main purpose of all PV modules is to convert solar energy into electricity, but in the era of building integrated photovoltaics, there are additional opportunities to use them. The use of them as a composite of architectural structures in the form of facade cladding, roofing, stained glass windows or noise barriers on highways, in addition to generating electricity embellish also the aesthetic value of the facilities. However, these atypical their use, cause that the modules should have quite different properties then in the traditional application, which is related to their unusual way of positioning. Particularly for structures such as the modules made of spherical cells with the two …

Design and control of an innovative electronic load for the photovoltaic module characterization

2016

The paper proposes a new electronic load setup for a fast, low-cost and standard-compliant characterization of a photovoltaic module. The approach is based on the use of a DC-DC converter, exploiting its ability to emulate a resistor. In particular, a Buck-Boost converter topology is employed. The model is implemented in the Simulink/SimPower System environment. A commercial PV Conergy E215P photovoltaic module is used in order to evaluate the performances of the proposed electronic load and to validate the proposed approach.

A standard-compliant prototype for PV module curve detection

2014

In this paper, a prototype for PV module curve detection which features low cost and size and ensures high accuracy is proposed. The proposed architecture is based on a buck-boost converter in open-loop configuration. The proposed architecture is fully compliant with actual standard IEC60904. The duty-cycle control algorithm and its own effects on system performances are accurately investigated. The comparison of different duty-cycle patterns is carried out and performance evaluation is performed. Simulation results are shown to perform a valuable comparison of control algorithms. Preliminary experimental results on a laboratory prototype are presented.

The use of two-diode substitute model in predicting the efficiency of PV conversion in low solar conditions

2017

The article presents theoretical foundations of a two-diode equivalent model of a photovoltaic cell/module (PV), together with calculation procedures. A physical interpretation of individual components of an equivalent model was presented. Its practical application in predicting efficiency of operation of various PV cells and modules in low insulation conditions was demonstrated. The obtained predictions were verified with the actual results of their operation in open space (outdoor). The practical suitability of the “model” in early detection of ageing phenomena, such as, for example, absorber degradation taking place in PV modules, was demonstrated. The article was prepared on the basis o…

Application of Thermographic Techniques for the Detection of Failures on Photovoltaic Modules

2019

The paper focuses on thermography as a useful investigation tool for diagnosis, detection and prevention of failures of photovoltaic modules. The paper describes the faults detectable by thermographic investigations and how to conduct these investigantions. Then the results of some analyses conducted on a photovoltaic field are presented. The investigations made possible to identify faulty modules with hot spots by measuring localized superheat due to the presence of concentrated deposits on the exposed surface of the module and the superheating due to the presence of sand/dust deposits distributed on a significant portion of the module surface. The thermographic investigations can be used …