Photovoltaic Modules Selection from Shading Effects on Different Materials

This study aims to provide photovoltaic module selection with better performance in the shading condition for improving production efficiency and reducing photovoltaic system investment cost through the symmetry concept, combining both solar energy mathematical and engineering principles. The study builds a symmetrical photovoltaic model and uses the series-parallel circuit theory, piecewise function and Matlab simulation. The voltage and current output characteristics of commercial photovoltaic modules made of different materials and structures are analyzed and their shading effects are evaluated. The results show that for each photovoltaic module, the output power is directly proportional to the irradiance. The output voltage of the photovoltaic module slightly increases and the output current greatly decreases from no shading to shading. The rate of output power reduction varies for each photovoltaic module type when the irradiance changes. The thin film modules show a lower output power reduction rate than crystalline photovoltaic modules from no shading to shading and they have good adaptability to shading. The use of thin film photovoltaic modules is recommended when the shading condition cannot be avoided.