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A Matlab/Simulink-Based Photovoltaic Array Model Employing Simpowersystems Toolbox
A Matlab/Simulink-Based Photovoltaic Array Model Employing Simpowersystems Toolbox
Received: February 27, 2012 / Accepted: April 18, 2012 / Published: December 31, 2012.
Abstract: The modeling of PV (photovoltaic) systems is very crucial for embedded power system applications and maximum power
point tracking. This paper presents a PV array model using Matlab/Simulink with the assistance of SimPowerSystem toolbox. The PV
cell is considered as the main building block for simulating and monitoring the PV array performance. The PV model has been
developed and used as Simulink subsystems where the effect of solar insolation and PV array temperature on commercial PV modules
have been studied throughout the simulated I-V and P-V output characteristics. The proposed model facilitates simulating the dynamic
performance of PV-based power systems. The effect of different partial shading patterns of PV arrays under different configurations
has been studied.
to differentiate between local and global peaks [1-3]. and simulation of photovoltaic arrays has been
Therefore, modeling of the PV has attracted the proposed where the main objective is to find the
attention of the researchers to facilitate modeling the parameters of the nonlinear I-V equation by adjusting
dynamic performance of the PV-based power systems. the curve at three points: open circuit, maximum power,
In Ref. [1], a generalized PV model has been and short circuit. In Ref. [13], the operation and
developed with Matlab/Simulink and validated with a modeling of stand-alone power systems with PV power
PV cell and a commercial module. This model has also generators has been studied. In Ref. [14], a hybrid
been designed in the form of Simulink block libraries. simulation model of PV cell/module and system using
However, the partial shading has not been considered. Matlab/Simulink and PSPICE has been presented. In
In Ref. [2], a Matlab-based modeling and simulation Ref. [15], a technique to model PV characteristics
scheme suitable for studying the I-V and P-V under various environmental circumstances including
characteristics of a PV array under a nonuniform non-shaded and partially shaded conditions has been
insolation due to partial shading has been studied. In proposed. The technique has been developed based on
Ref. [3], a Matlab Simulink simulator for PV systems experimental study. It provides a versatile model using
has been proposed where a two-diode model has been PSCAD (power system computer aided design) which
used to represent a PV cell. In Ref. [4], a simulation can represent any form of PV array with any
program of a single phase grid connected PV system configuration of bypass diodes.
using Matlab/Simulink and SimPowerSystem toolbox The objective of this paper is to establish a PV model
has been developed. In Ref. [6], PV systems have been to be used as a subsystem block in power system
modeled for maximum power tracking for the simulation. In addition, the effects of different factors
operation of grid connected photovoltaic power (insolation, temperature, rating, etc.) on the PV
systems. In Ref. [7], analytical expressions are derived performance are encountered. Moreover, a 120 W
for the rapid extraction of solar cell single diode model polycrystalline PV panel output characteristics have
parameters from experimental data. In Ref. [8], PV been simulated and analyzed considering the effect of
array has been modeled to investigate the maximum operating temperature and solar insolation on the
power tracking algorithms which were often used to maximum power point. In addition, a Simulink model
compare the tracking efficiencies for the system has been developed to study the effect of partial
operating under different controls. In Ref. [9], a V2 shading patterns on the PV array with different series
based MPP (maximum power point) tracking scheme is and parallel configurations.
developed using a SEPIC (single-ended primary
1.1 PV Hierarchy
inductance converter) topology. Mathematical models
are formulated and a tracking algorithm then is 1.1.1 PV Cell
developed with a combined photovoltaic-system As shown in Fig. 1, PV cell is basically a
simulation model using Simulink. In Ref. [10], the semiconductor p-n junction-based photodiode. This
development of a general model which can be semiconductor photodiode generates electrical power
implemented on simulation platforms such as PSPICE when exposed to light [2-4]. PV cells can be made up
(personal computer simulation program with integrated of various semiconductor materials. But
circuit emphasis) or SABER has been presented. In mono-crystalline silicon and poly-crystalline silicon
Ref. [11], a variable-structure observer for solar-array are the most common types known commercially [2-4].
current estimation in a photovoltaic power generation 1.1.2 PV Module
system is presented. In Ref. [12], a method of modeling The power produced by a single PV cell is not
A Matlab/Simulink-Based Photovoltaic Array Model Employing SimPowerSystems Toolbox 1967
2. PV Models
2.1 PV Cell Model
exp 1 (8)
NS NP
where NS = NP = 1 for a PV cell, NS and NP are the
series-parallel number for a PV array. The simplified
model [6, 10] of a generalized PV array is illustrated in
Fig. 5c. The equivalent circuit is described as: (c) Simplified array model
Fig. 5 Equivalent circuit models of generalized PV array.
exp 1 (9)
3.1.1 Physical Modeling
3. Simulation and Results
As shown in Fig. 6, using Simulink
In this paper, the simplified PV module and array SimPowerSystems toolbox, the simplified model of the
models have been used to for the PV modeling using PV cell has been simulated using a controlled current
Matlab/Simulink. The main reason for choosing this source to illustrate the light generated current or
model is that the other two models experience algebraic photocurrent, diode, and output ports. The controlled
loop problem in Matlab/Simulink simulation, as the current source is controlled using Eq. (2), where the
output current is required to be an input to the inputs to this equation are the cell operating
equations of output current in these models. Iterations temperature in Kelvin and the solar insolation in
may be needed for solving this problem which in many kW/m2.
cases end up with simulation break. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the above PV cell model
has been used as sub-system and then was masked as a
3.1 Simulation Using Matlab/Simulink
Simulink block PV custom icon to facilitate the
The simplified PV module model has been simulated integration of the PV module model in any application.
using two methods, the mathematical modeling and the Also the user can input the PV module block
physical modeling. These models are used for parameters according to the datasheet of desired PV
monitoring and assessing the nonlinear I-V and P-V module (panel) and then illustrate and verify the
output characteristics of the PV module/array. nonlinear I-V and P-V output characteristics.
1970 A Matlab/Simulink-Based Photovoltaic Array Model Employing SimPowerSystems Toolbox
+
1
+
Iph
-
ki
KI -
1 2 Fig. 9 Simulink mathematical modeling of the simplified
T
Isc PV cell model.
Tr
Isc
Tr
The mathematical PV cell model that is illustrated in
2
Insolation
Fig. 9 has been used as a sub-system to be integrated
Fig. 6 Simulink modeling of the simplified PV cell model. into other system simulation and provide an easy way
to input the parameters of the PV module. The I-V and
1 Insolation + + i
- XY Graph
P-V output characteristics are shown in Figs. 10 and 11.
Insolation KW/m2
The mathematical model has more advantages than the
+
PV +
- v
physical model, because additional parameters as
s
-
Temp (K)
quality factor and semi-conductor band gap energy can
PV be varied/controlled. Moreover, parallel and series PV
Ramp
+
1 Insolation in KW/m2
1
XY Graph
+
Insolation KW/m2
1 Insolation in KW/m2
25+273.15 T I Insolation
s
-
Temp (K) Scope
Product 2 T I
Vout I T
Ramp Vout v +
-
PV V
-
P
PV 2
Fig. 10 Simulink model of a mathematically-modeled PV Fig. 12 Interfacing the mathematical PV module model to
module. physical ports.
1 Insolation + + -i XY Graph
Insolation KW/m2
+
PV + v
-
s
-
I
25+273.15 Op. Temp -
V
Temp (K)
PV P
Ramp
+ C o ntinuo us
Ide a l Switch
1 nubbe r, R o n, +
po we rgui 1
+
1 Insolation in KW/m2 1 [A] [A] Insolation + [A] Insolation +
-
25+273.15 [B] [B] Op. Temp - [B] Op. Temp -
2 T I P
Temp [A] Insolation +
T PV Group 1A PV Group 2A
PV
v +
Vout - [B] Op. Temp -
- 0.1 [C] [C] Insolation + [C] Insolation +
2
PV Group 3
PV Insolation KW/m1 PV PV
Gain1
Fig. 17 Simulink model of PV array with different
Fig. 14 Simulink model of PV module group (assembly) shading patterns.
with by-pass diode.
Table 3 Solarex MSX 60 PV module specifications at 1
kw/m2, 25 ºC.
Characteristics Specification
Typical peak power (Pp) 60 W
Voltage at peak power (Vpp) 17.1 V
Current at peak power (Ipp) 3.5 A
Short-circuit current (ISC) 3.8 A
Open-circuit voltage (Voc) 21.1 V
Temperature coefficient of open-circuit voltage -73 mV/ºC
Temperature coefficient of short-circuit current (ki) 3 mA/ºC
Fig. 15 Simulink PV module group (assembly) block Approximate effect of temperature on power -0.38 W/ºC
parameters. Number of series cells in the array 36
Table 2 PV array shading pattern example at 25 ºC. together in order to simulate a PV array. This in turn
Number of series Number of parallel can be used as a subsystem in order to be
Insolation level
Group modules in each modules in each
in kW/m2(λ) connected/interfaced with other SimPowerSystems
group (S) group (P)
G1-A 4 40 1 (un-shaded) Simulink toolbox components.
G1-B 6 40 0.1 (shaded)
3.2 Results and Discussion
G2-A 7 38 1 (un-shaded)
G2-B 3 38 0.1 (shaded) Using the Simulink models of PV array mentioned in
G3 10 22 1 (un-shaded)
the previous section, the Solarex MSK 60 PV module
(parameters are listed in Table 3) output I-V and P-V
characteristics are simulated using Simulink. In this
section, the I-V and P-V characteristics are studied first
with varying the operating temperature at constant
isolation level then varying the solar insolation level at
constant temperature level. The effect of shading, array
configuration, varying insolation levels, and different
shading patterns on the characteristics of the PV array
are studied and analyzed.
3.2.1 I-V and P-V Characteristics with Varying
Operating Temperature
As shown in Fig. 18, it is observed that with the
increase of the operating temperature, the short-circuit
current of the PV module increases. However, the
Fig. 16 Shaded PV array illustration of Table 2. maximum power output decreases.
A Matlab/Simulink-Based Photovoltaic Array Model Employing SimPowerSystems Toolbox 1973
1 kW/m 2
10 °C
0.9 kW/m 2
15 °C
20 °C 0.8 kW/m 2
25 °C 80 0.7 kW/m 2
80 30 °C 0.6 kW/m 2
35 °C 60
0.5 kW/m 2
60 40 °C
Power (W)
0.4 kW/m 2
40
Power (W)
45 °C
0.3 kW/m 2
40 50 °C
20 0.2 kW/m 2
55 °C
20 60 °C 0.1 kW/m 2
0
4
0 3 25
4 20
2 15
3 25 10
20 1
2 5
15 0 0
10 Current (A) Voltage (V)
1
5
0
Current (A) 0
Voltage (V) Fig. 19 P-V-I output characteristics with different values of
Fig. 18 P-V-I output characteristics with different values of solar insolation (λ) at constant temperature level of 25 ºC
operating temperature (T) at constant insolation level of 1 400
kW/m2.
350
200
increase of the solar insolation, the short-circuit current
of the PV module increases and the maximum power 150
20
simulated PV array is shown in Table 2 and Fig. 16. Fig. 21 P-V characteristics of partially shaded PV array
simulated in case study 1.
Each module of this simulated PV array has a
by-pass diode that passes the current across the shaded observed that the I-V characteristics of the PV array
modules (shaded modules limit the flow of current have multiple steps with non-uniform I-V characteristic.
across them). The I-V and P-V characteristics of the Also, the P-V characteristic has multiple peaks (global
simulated PV array are shown in Figs. 20 and 21, it is maximum and local maxima points) due to the effect of
1974 A Matlab/Simulink-Based Photovoltaic Array Model Employing SimPowerSystems Toolbox
500
partial shading of the PV array. This happens as the 1 kW/m 2
450 (Unshaded)
current is the same across the series PV modules (string) 400
Current (A)
is different. 250
200
Case study 2: Comparison between unshaded and
150
shaded PV array characteristics
100
The presence of by-pass diodes in a PV array will 50
level of 1 kW/m2); (2) under partially shaded condition Power (kW) 40 1 kW/m 2 & 0.1 kW/m 2
(Shaded)
(same conditions used in simulation 1 which are 30
insolation. Both models have been built as a [8] C.C. Hua, C.M. Shen, Study of maximum power tracking
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This publication was made possible by the support of (1999) 193-199.
[11] I.S. Kim, M.J. Youn, Variable-structure observer for solar
an internal grant QU_QUUG-ENG-DCE-1011-16
array current estimation in a photovoltaic
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