The effect of shading on photovoltaic solar panels

A modelling description of photovoltaic (PV) modules in a PSPICE environment is presented. To validate the simulation model, a lab prototype is used to create similar conditions as those existing in real photovoltaic systems. The effects of partial shading of solar cell strings and temperature on the performance of various PV modules are analyzed. The simulation results show a very good agreement with those obtained experimentally in similar conditions, either in lab, at Lisbon University, and under outdoor testing in Sweden, using PV solar collectors manufactured by Solarus Sunpower AB. The potential of the simulation analysis is highlighted as a flexible and powerful tool for the design of new and more competitive PV module configurations for the collectors in solar panels.