Photovoltaic energy generation under partially shading conditions

The development of photovoltaic (PV) market needs to improve the knowledge of the electrical production of a PV system on various given sites particularly to estimate its economical profitability. This accurate estimation of the energy production can only be achieved by taking into account the effects of shading that have dramatic consequences on the produced power. In this paper, we tested a two-diode I–V model of m-Si PV module (BP585F) under normal insolation conditions; then, after a brief explanation of the electrical behaviour of a totally or partially shaded PV cell, we present the implemented experimentation. These tests allow validating partially this model for shaded PV module. At last, the power loss induced by the shading has been estimated.