Enhancing the power output of PV modules by considering the view factor to sky effect and rearranging the interconnections of solar cells

Assaf Peled*, Joseph Appelbaum

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

The solar diffuse radiation incident on a photovoltaic (PV) module is unevenly distributed along the module's width because its solar-cells “see” different view-factor values with respect to their position. This fact causes PV modules to experience undesired power losses brought about by current mismatch. The paper addresses this issue and presents new interconnection strategies for the module's cells. The proposed interconnections are shown to introduce power gain vis-à-vis the all-series connected module. Having established the theoretical framework, a case study is examined, comparing two sites with considerable different amounts of diffuse radiation with the aim of quantifying the power production enhancement with regard to the site's prevailing annual extent of diffuse radiation. It is found, for example, that by converting the all-series cell interconnection into parallel strips in Desert Rock (NV, USA), each module can be supplemented with a 6.5 [kWph] annually on average. The study may have financial implications for the PV industry which strives to increase power generation while maintaining reduced costs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)810-818
Number of pages9
JournalProgress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications
Volume25
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2017

Keywords

  • cell interconnection
  • diffuse radiation
  • power losses
  • view factor

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