Simulation of the effects of global irradiance, ambient temperature and partial shading on the output of the photovoltaic module using MATLAB/Simulink and ICAP/4

摘要

This thesis is investigates the effects of operating conditions on the output of a photovoltaic module and describes methods used for maximising the power output of the module.ud udA photovoltaic (PV) cell was simulated using MATLAB/Simulink software at different ambient temperatures and the output power of the cell was recorded. Global irradiance and its effect on the power output of the cell were also simulated. The effect of partial shading on the output power of a module was simulated using ICAP/4 software. ududSimulations showed that the output power of a photovoltaic cell decreased as the amount of global irradiance was decreased. Array positioning and physical solar tracking were described as methods of maximising the amount of global irradiance a module receives. ududResults of the simulations showed that high ambient temperatures cause the output power of a photovoltaic cell to decrease. Elevation of a module above the ground and having enough space around the module are proposed as methods that can be used to keep the temperature of photovoltaic cells down, thereby increasing the efficiency and the power produced. ududDifferent cases of partial shading were simulated. Bypass diodes were introduced and investigated as a method for decreasing the effects of partial shading on the output power of a module. Blocking diodes were described as a way to stop the module from discharging the battery when a module does not receive any solar irradiation.ud udA Maximum Power Point Tracker was described as another way of maximising power output of the module.