Abstract:
The aim of research is to study and analyze the shading effect on solar module. Due to the fact that a solar module consists of 36 cells connected in series to produce desired voltage. The partial shading effect causes the cumulative heat on shaded cells then the maximum power produced is really reduced. Accordingly, it is necessary to study the shading effect on solar modules.
In this research work, the solar modules were examined with actual sun intensity and to be compared with the results of simulation by MATLAB/SIMULINK program. In fact, the conditions of no shading and partial shading of cells in terms of percentage were actually examined and to be compared with the simulative results from the computer program. In addition, different weather conditions were parameters for testing on actual loads to also compare with the simulative results.
The results of actual test and simulation can be stated that when the 20 percent and 40 percent of solar cells of all cells in a solar module were shaded, the maximum power produced is reduced respectively. If more cells were additionally shaded, maximum power produced were also significantly reduced respectively. When comparing between the results of actual test and simulation found that the error in terms of power was between 0.3 and 4.76 percent. The errors in terms of voltage and current were 0 and 0.56 percent, and 0.24 and 2.86 percent respectively. These errors can be accepted by statistical issue. It means that simulation model developed can be used for solar module operating.