INVESTIGATION OF PARTIAL SHADING INFLUENCE ON PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS PERFORMANCES

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are usually mounted on the roofs or on building facades, thus partial shading caused by surrounding objects and debris is not rare. Even for ground mounted PV systems, installed in fields, passing clouds or trees can make partial shading issue, indicating that partial shading impact on PV panels performance should get more attention. Partial shading of PV panels can be induced by the presence of dust, leaves (or similar objects), bird droppings etc. on their front surfaces or by the shadows caused by surrounding buildings, objects, chimneys, clouds. When PV panels are partially shaded, they receive lower solar radiation intensity, and their performance decreases. Also, when partial shading occurs, PV panels may not get uniform solar radiation. The locations of partial shading on PV panels are variable and random. In this paper, results of an experimental investigation of the partial shading effects on optimally inclined monocrystalline silicon PV panels performances are shown. Results showed that the power of partially shaded PV panel reduced for 42.47% compared to the referent PV panel.