DESIGN AND SIMULATION OF SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC

CELL
19EEE340 - UTILIZATION OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY

A PROJECT REPORT
submitted by
CB.EN.U4ELC19008 KAUSHIK PRABHATH B
CB.EN.U4ELC19026 MALLADI SAI NITHIN REDDY
CB.EN.U4ELC19028 SAI VINEETH
CB.EN.U4ELC19054 SRI KRISHNA SAI VUDHEEP . A

in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree

of
BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
IN
ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING

AMRITA SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, COIMBATORE

AMRITA VISHWA VIDYAPEETHAM

COIMBATORE- 641112
May 2022

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 ABSTRACT

A photovoltaic (PV) cell is an energy harvesting technology, that converts solar energy
into useful electricity through a process called the photovoltaic effect. There are several
different types of PV cells which all use semiconductors to interact with incoming
photons from the Sun in order to generate an electric current. The motive of this project
is to peform a comparitive study on various photovoltaic arrays present in market and
record the results when subjected to different conditions. The various types of
photovoltaic cells used are Monocrystalline cells, Polycrystalline cells, Thin film solar
cells etc.Solar radiant energy accounts for most of the usable renewable energy on this
earth. Photovoltaic (PV) is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar
radiation into direct current electricity using semiconductor that exhibit the
photovoltaic effect. In this paper presents a method of modeling and simulation of
photovoltaic arrays in MATLAB using solar cell block from SimElectronics library.
The method is used to implement and determine the characteristic of a particular
photovoltaic cell panel and to study the influence of different values of solar radiation
at different temperatures concerning performance of photovoltaic cells. This model it
can be used for build a photovoltaic circuit model for any photovoltaic array. All
modules which form the photovoltaic system model are individually modeled and
validated in Simulink. Choosing the right solar panel is always dependant on the
project, and budget. Whereas Polycrystalline Solar Panels exceed in residential
properties, due to the affordability, monocrystalline panels still have their place. For
example, if the property has a smaller roof, the greater efficiency of the panels makes
monocrystalline cells the better choice. Although, Thin-film solar panels are almost
never used on domestic properties, they are useful for larger projects such as for
commercial or listed buildings due to their lightweight nature.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

No

1 INTRODUCTION 4

2 CIRCUIT DIAGRAM 5
3 METHODOLOGY 5

4 PRINCIPLES AND WORKING 6

22
5 RESULTS

6 CONCLUSION 23
7 REFERENCES 23

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INTRODUCTION
Photovoltaic and renewable energy sources have experimented a great deveolopment in recent
years. Photo-voltaic cells are very low exploitation costs, limited maintenance requirements,
reliable, silent and easy to install. In some stand-alone applications photovoltaic cells are
certainly convienient in comparison with other energy sources, especially in those places that
are not accessible, which is unprofitable to install traditional power lines. Any photovoltaic
model is based on diode behavior, which gives to photovoltaic cell its exponential
characteristic.

Any photovoltaic model is based on diode behavior, which gives to photovoltaic cell its
exponential characteristic.The solar cell can be modeled with three modeling systems. The
first possibility of modeling can be done with instruments which can implement any
differential equation or algebraic relationship of a highly complex mathematical model.
Another possibility is given by Simscape™, which allows direct modeling using physical
components of the electric field (resistors, capacitors, diodes) to implement exactly the same
mathematical equation. A modeling system more complex than those described above is
performed using SimElectronics advanced component library, which contains a block called
Solar Cell. The solar cell from MATLAB is a solar current source, which includes solar
induced current and temperature dependence.

In the model (Figure 1) represents a PV cell array connected to a variable resistor. This
resistor has an input ramp which just varies resistance linearly in closed circuit until it reaches
the 30th steps. Inside the array subsystem are 8 rows of photovoltaic solar cells connected in
series, formed by 8 solar cells of SimElectronics. This structure can be built in any
configurations by connecting multiple strings of solar cells in series or in parallel

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CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

METHODOLOGY

 The PV Array block implements an array of photovoltaic (PV) modules. The array is built
of strings of modules connected in parallel, each string consisting of modules connected
in series.

 The method is used to implement and determine the characteristic of a particular

photovoltaic cell panel and to study the influence of different values of solar radiation at
different temperatures concerning performance of photovoltaic cells.

 This model it can be used for build a photovoltaic circuit model for any photovoltaic array.

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PRINCIPLES AND WORKING

 MONOCRYSTALLINE SOLAR PANELS : Monocrystalline panels are the oldest most

developed type of Solar panels.Manufactured from the highest purity of silicon,
Monocrystalline Solar panels are a premium panel. Although Monocrystalline cells are
more expensive, they tend to last longer, and have higher efficiencies. As the cells are
composed of a single crystal, they have a higher power output too. Monocrystalline cells
appear black and uniform in finish.

 POLYCRYSTALLINE SOLAR PANELS: Also referred to as “multi-crystalline” panels,

Polycrystalline are often considered the mid-range panel. Although less efficient,
Polycrystalline Solar panels are the more affordable option.However, as the name suggests,
polycrystalline cells are made from many (Poly) fragments of silicon crystal melted
together. For this reason, Polycrystalline solar panels have a lower efficiency and short
lifespan. Meaning they don’t generate as much electricity from the sun compared to
Monocrystalline panels for as long either. This is because there is less freedom for the
electrons to move, as there are many crystals in each cell. Polycrystalline cells can be
identified by their blue finish, rectangular shape and speckles. They appear blue and
speckled, as they contain many crystals in each cell and because of the way the sunlight
reflects off these crystals.

 THIN-FILM SOLAR PANELS: Thin-film solar panels are thin, flexible and low in
profile. This is because the cells within the panels are roughly 350 times thinner than the
crystalline wafers used in monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels. Thin-film solar
panels are manufactured from layers of semiconducting materials, such as silicon, cadium
telluride, and copper indium gallium selenide. The semi-conductor layer is placed between
transparent conducting layers, with a layer of glass on top, that helps to capture
sunlight.Thin-film solar panels tend to have lower efficiencies, and power capacities
compared to crystalline panels. With efficiencies reaching around 11 percent, they require
a lot more roof space to generate a large amount of solar energy. They also tend to degrade
more quickly compared to crystalline panels, resulting in the shortest of warranties.

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Canadian Solar CS5P-220M (220W) Solar Panel :-

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Aavid Solar asms 220p :-

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Anhui Rinengzhongtian Semi Conductor Development 220m

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PV Module TWSF - aSi - 100W

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Centrosolar America VS-160C1 TF

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Kisco S100E :

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Mission Solar Energy MSE PERC 60 345 Mono - mse 345SO6j

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GE GEPVp - 200 -M

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Hyundai Heavy Industries HiS - M221SG

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Panasonic Eco Solutions Canada PE240M-BBB

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RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

Note :- This table is the output of 1x1 solar array. It can be extended according to the use
cases.

 The Color Code used in the above performance table is as follows:

 BLUE - Mono crystalline solar panels
 GREEN - Poly crystalline solar panels
 YELLOW - Thin Film solar panels
 From the results and analysis stated above the following appliances can be used
accordingly with the power output of the solar panels.
 This is a reference table for the applicances to check the compatibility of various solar
arrays.

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CONCLUSION
 Choosing the right solar panel is always dependant on the project, and budget.
 Mono Crystalline Solar Panels have high investment cost but the last longer , give better
output for all the cases and have better efficiency. If the property has a smaller roof or the
cases where power is given much importance, the greater efficiency of the panels makes
mono crystalline cells the better choice.
 Poly crystalline Solar Panels exceed in residential properties due to their efficiency being
in intermediate range when compared with Mono crystalline and Thin film solar panels.
 Thin-film solar panels are almost never used on domestic properties, they are useful for
larger projects such as for commercial or listed buildings due to their lightweight nature.

REFERENCES
[1] Bevrani, H., Ghosh, A., Ledwich, G.: ‘Renewable energy sources and frequency regulation:
survey and new perspectives’, IET Rnew.PowerGener., 2010, 4, (5), pp. 438–457
[2] ABB, Technical Application Papers No.10 Photovoltaic plants
[3] *** www.mathworks.com, Osorio, C., Recorded Webinar-Model-Based Design for Solar
Power Systems.
[4] *** www.mathworks.com, Help - Solar Cell Blocks

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