Solar PV cells, modules, strings, arrays
As illustrated in Fig. 1, the basic unit of a PV system is the PV cell. Dozens of PV cells
are interconnected in series to form the cell series string. A group of one or more series
strings is then encapsulated to produce a PV module. The modules are connected in series
to increase the system voltage and form a module string. A PV array is then made up of a
number of module strings connected in parallel, to increase the current of the array.
Fig. 1. Physical configuration of photovoltaic cell (a), cell series string (b), module (c) and PV array (d).
Solar cell array system analysis and performance prediction
Accurate prediction of PV module power output under real weather conditions is of great
importance for designers of system configurations and product selection. Likewise, it is also
crucial for engineers to evaluate PV systems operational performance. Accurate prediction
of PV performance under general conditions is not possible using PV module
manufacturers’ specifications. Therefore, the availability of an accurate and reliable Solar
cell array system analysis and performance predictionmodel is of vital importance.
Mathematical models for Solar PV cell/module/array
1. Ideal model
The ability to model PV device outputs is key to the analysis of PV system performance. An
equivalent circuit composed of a current source, one anti-parallel diode (D), without an
internal series resistance (Rs) and a shunt/parallel resistance (Rp), represents ideal model of
a PV cell.
As presented in Fig. 2a, the ideal PV cell model has the simplest form since it takes no
account of the effect of internal electrical series resistances and parallel resistance. The
externally measured current can be related to voltage and the relationship between them
has been investigated. The ideal mathematical model for an individual PV cell is expressed
as:
I = Iph - ID
𝑉
I = 𝐼𝑃ℎ − 𝐼𝑜 (𝑒 𝑉𝑡 − 1) (1)
where Iph is the photo current (A), assumed constant along the I-V curve and proportional to
the irradiance, with only a weak temperature dependency; Io is the diode saturation current
(A); Vt = nKT/q is the diode thermal voltage; n is the diode ideality factor; k is Boltzmann’s
constant (1.381 x 10 - 23J/K); q is the absolute value of the charge on an electron (-1.602 x
10-19C) and T is the cell temperature (K), assumed equal to the temperature of the P-N
junction.
Some studies have been carried out on the simple models involving a linear independent
current source parallel to a diode. However, the literature review demonstrates that the
ideal cell model, in the absence of recognition of internal resistance effects, is not suitable for
modeling the actual PV cell current and voltage relationship.
2. One-diode model taking account only of RS (4-p model)
Fig. 2b illustrates the equivalent PV cell electrical circuit for the series resistance case. This
is the so-called four-parameter (4-p) model, in which the parallel resistance is considered as
infinite and thus its effect is not taken into account. Its mathematical model is presented as:
I = Iph - ID
𝑉+𝐼𝑅𝑠
I = 𝐼𝑃ℎ − 𝐼𝑜 (𝑒 𝑉𝑡 − 1) (2)
the 4-p PV model was proposed, and incorporated into the transient simulation program
TRNSYS. This model was used to estimate and optimize the performance of a pumping
system PV installation. The model, based on four parameters, was used to simulate three
types of PV panels, each differently constructed, one with thin film, another with
polycrystalline silicon, and the third with mono-crystalline silicon materials.
Recent research study, however, shows that the 4-p model which ignores the effects of
shunt resistance is inadequate in fitting experimental I-V and P-V data in the current-source
operation.
3. One-diode model considering Rs and Rp (5-p model)
To improve the accuracy of the simulation model, parallel resistance is thus introduced in
the one-diode model. This is the well-known five-parameter (5-p) model, shown in Fig. 2c
and represented by Eq. (3).
I = Iph - ID - Ip
𝑉+𝐼𝑅𝑠
𝑉+𝐼𝑅𝑆
𝐼 = 𝐼𝑃ℎ − 𝐼𝑜 (𝑒 𝑉𝑡 − 1) − (3)
𝑅𝑃
Fig. 2. Equivalent PV cell electrical circuits: (a) ideal model; (b) one-diode only with Rs (4-p model); (c) one-
diode with Rs and Rp (5-p model) and (d) two-diode models (7-p model).
It is widely acknowledged that both series
resistance Rs and parallel resistance Rp can affect
the I-V characteristics of a PV device. In general,
the parallel resistance reduces the available
electrical current, and the series resistance affects
the output voltage.
Many studies show that much research has been
carried out in developing the 5-p model, also
Fig. 3. PV module I-V characteristic curve with three
characteristic points.
providing some directions for improvement and/or simplification to obtain the five
parameters (IL, I0, Vt, Rs, Rp), and results from those studies demonstrate acceptable levels of
accuracy.
4. Two-diode model
The commonly used one-diode model can achieve acceptable accuracy, but the reality is
that the saturation current of the PV cell is the result of a linear superposition of charge
diffusion and recombination in the space-charge layer. This means that the saturation
current is contributed to two diodes. Therefore, the two-diode model, also called the double-
diode model, was proposed. The schematic diagram of the equivalent electrical circuit is
illustrated in Fig. 2d and the mathematical model is expressed as:
𝐼 = 𝐼𝑃ℎ − 𝐼𝐷1 − 𝐼𝐷2 − 𝐼𝑃
𝑉+𝐼𝑅𝑠 𝑉+𝐼𝑅𝑠
𝑉+𝐼𝑅𝑆
𝐼 = 𝐼𝑃ℎ − 𝐼𝑜1 (𝑒 𝑉𝑡1 − 1) − 𝐼𝑜2 (𝑒 𝑉𝑡2 − 1) − (4)
𝑅𝑃
where ID1 and ID2 are the currents passing through the corresponding diodes. As for the
single-diode model with Rp and Rs (five-parameter model), the internal series and shunt
resistances affect the output voltage and current, respectively.
The two-diode model can achieve greater accuracy, particularly at low irradiance level
and during partial shading conditions. The inclusion of an additional diode, however,
increases the number of computed parameters. Eq. (4) indicates that this model is quite
complex, being a nonlinear equation with two exponential terms and up to seven unknown
parameters., The computational time is, therefore, relatively long.