PV Module

Simulink models

ECEN 2060
Spring 2008

Simulink models of PV modules

Current-input PV module
Ipv

PV module (I)

Insolation

Inputs:

Voltage input PV module

Vpv

Vpv

Insolation

Ppv

PV1

PV current IPV [A]

Insolation [W/m2]

Outputs:
PV voltage VPV [V]
PV output power Ppv [W]

This model is well suited for the case

when modules are connected in
series and share the same current

PV module (V)

Inputs:

Ipv
Ppv

PV1

PV voltage VPV [V]

Insolation [W/m2]

Outputs:
PV current IPV [A]
PV output power Ppv [W]

This model is well suited for the case

when modules are connected in
parallel and share the same voltage

Model parameters, in both cases, are the standard

PV module data-sheet parameters:
short-circuit current Isc
open-circuit voltage Voc
rated current IR at maximum power point (MPP)
rated voltage VR at MPP
under standard test conditions (1kW/m2, 1.5 AM,
25oC). A bypass diode (a single diode across the
entire module) can be included. Temperature
effects are not modeled.
ECEN2060

PV cell circuit model and equations

KCL:

I SC
ISC

ID
VD

Rs

Rp

Diode characteristic:
_

PV cell

VD
ID
I PV = 0
Rp

I D = I o eVD / VT 1
KVL:

VPVcell = VD Rs I PV
ECEN2060

Simulink Implementation
Both PV module models are implemented as masked subsystems in Simulink
Look Under Mask (right-click or Edit menu) reveals details of the model
implementation
PV module (I)
Details of the current-input PV module model:
Ipv

Vpv

Insolation

Ppv

PV1

Saturation

-Vt*log((u/Io)+1)

max

By-pass diode

MinMax

Rs
1
Ipv

Rs

Ipv

Product

Ppv

Diode

Ipv

Constant

2
Insolation

Isc

Insolation to
current gain

Inputs:
PV current and
insolation
ECEN2060

f (z)

Solve
f(z) = 0

Vd

Algebraic Constraint

Id

Io*(exp(u/Vt)-1)

PN-junction characteristic
Vd/Rp

1/Rp
1/Rp

Vpv cell

Ns
Switch

Vpv

Ns

Outputs:
PV voltage and
PV power

Inside the current-input PV module model

Saturation

-Vt*log((u/Io)+1)

max

By-pass diode

MinMax

Rs
1
Ipv

Rs

Ipv

Product

Ppv

Diode

Ipv

Constant

Insolation

Isc

Insolation to
current gain

f (z)

Solve
f(z) = 0

Vd

Vpv cell

Algebraic Constraint

Id

Io*(exp(u/Vt)-1)

Vd/Rp

VPV = N sVPVcell

1/Rp

N s = number of cells in series

1/Rp

I SC

KCL solved for VD

using Algebraic
Constraint block
ECEN2060

Switch

Vpv

Ns

PN-junction characteristic

V
I D D I PV = 0
Rp

Ns

VPVcell = VD RS I PV

I D = I o eVD / VT 1

Inside the current-input PV module model

Saturation

1
Ipv

-Vt*log((u/Io)+1)

max

By-pass diode

Bypass diode current

cannot be negative

MinMax

Rs
2

Rs

Ipv

Product

Ppv

Diode

Ipv

Constant

2
Insolation

G
Insolation to
current gain

Isc

f (z)

Solve
f(z) = 0

Vd

Algebraic Constraint

Id

Vpv cell

Ns
Switch

Vpv

Ns

Io*(exp(u/Vt)-1)

PN-junction characteristic
Vd/Rp

1/Rp
1/Rp

I bypass

+ 1
VDbypass = Vt ln
Io

Select VPV with

bypass diode
(Diode = 1) or
without bypass diode
(Diode =0)

Bypass diode voltage

(if forward biased)
ECEN2060

Model Mask: Parameters

Edit Mask (right-click or Edit menu), click on Parameters
This is where the masked subsystem model parameters are defined

ECEN2060

Model Mask: Initialization

Edit Mask (right-click or Edit menu), click on Initialization
The MATLAB code computes model parameters Io, Rs, Rp based on the model parameters
(short-circuit current Isc, circuit voltage Voc, rated voltage Vr, and rated current Ir)

ECEN2060

Application Example: PV Array

PV array consisting
of 6 PV modules
connected in series

Ipv

1000

PV module (I)

Insolation

Vpv

ECEN2060
6-module PV Array

Ppv

PV1

Insolation

IPV

Ipv

PV module (I)

Insolation

Vpv
Ppv

PV2

+
Ipv

PV module (I)

Insolation

PV
To Workspace
Vpv
Ppv
Vpv

PV3

Ipv

PV module (I)

Insolation

VPV

Vpv

XY V-I
Vpv
Ppv

PV4

Ppv
Ppv

Ipv

PV module (I)

Insolation

Product

Vpv
Ppv

PV5

Ipv

PV module (I)

Insolation

XY power

Vpv

Ipv

Simulink model
pv_array.mdl

Ppv

PV6

Add

Ipv Ramp
Ipv

ECEN2060

Inside the voltage-input PV module

Vpv

PV module (V)

Insolation

Ipv
Ppv

PV1

1
Vpv

Ipv

Vpv

Insolation

Insolation

Ppv

f (z)

Solve
f(z) = 0

Algebraic Constraint

PV module (I)

1
Ipv

2
Ppv

Inputs:
PV voltage and
insolation
Current-input
PV model
ECEN2060

Algebraic
Constraint block
solves for IPV that
results in VPV

Outputs:
PV voltage and
PV power

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Application Example: PV Module Characteristics

Simulink model:
pv_characteristic.mdl

Vpv

Vpv

Vpv

PV power

Ipv
Vpv

PV module (V)

Insolation

Insolation

I-V characteristic

Ipv
Ppv

PV1

Insolation = 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000 W/m2

IPV

ECEN2060

PPV

VPV

VPV

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