This study seeks to quantify how much insolation varies over the span of a typical photovoltaic (PV) array. A solar sensor array was constructed and deployed at three locations where environmental conditions vary from full sun to highly restricted sunlight. Data was recorded at each location and then analyzed to find the effects of shading. In traditional series-parallel photovoltaic systems the total power output of the system is highly dependent on the full insolation of every cell. One cell with low insolation properties will drag down the current of an entire series string. Analysis of the sensor array data has shown that insolation varies substantially, even on an unshaded site. These findings should help, along with future research, to demonstrate the necessity of eliminating series strings from PV systems to increase energy production.
California Energy Commission
Missouri Space Grant Consortium
Leonard Wood Institute
U.S. Army Research Laboratory
- Energy Productions,
- Environmental Conditions,
- Photovoltaic Arrays,
- Photovoltaic Systems,
- PV System,
- Series-Parallel,
- Total Power,
- Photovoltaic Cells,
- Photovoltaic Effects,
- Sensor Arrays,
- Technology,
- Incident Solar Radiation,
- Arrays,
- Temperature Measurement,
- Temperature Sensors,
- Voltage Measurement,
- Current Measurement,
- Mathematical Model,
- Equations,
- Solar Power Stations,
- Photovoltaic Power Systems
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jonathan-kimball/82/