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Matlab / simulink based study of photovoltaic cells / modules / array and their
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Volume 1, Issue 3, 2010 pp.487-500
Journal homepage: www.IJEE.IEEFoundation.org

Matlab / simulink based study of photovoltaic

cells / modules / array and their experimental verification

Savita Nema, R.K.Nema, Gayatri Agnihotri

Department of Electrical Engineering, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, India

Abstract
A Matlab-Simulink based simulation study of PV cell/PV module/PV array is carried out and presented
in this paper. The simulation model makes use of basic circuit equations of PV solar cell based on its
behaviour as diode and comprehensive behavioural study is performed under varying conditions of solar
insolation, temperature, varying diode model parameters, series and shunt resistance etc. The study is
helpful in outlining the principle and intricacies of PV cell/modules and may be used to verify the impact
of different topologies and control techniques on the performance of different types of PV systems. The
PV module/Array performance is immensely marred by shading effect and its P-V characteristics exhibit
multiple maxima. The Matlab/simulink based study therefore also points out significance of locating
maximum power point for a given Module/Array. An experimental verification is also carried out in the
lab by developing a PC based data acquisition system, which is also briefly discussed.
Copyright © 2010 International Energy and Environment Foundation - All rights reserved.

Keywords: Matlab/Simulink, PV model parameters, Insolation, PV cell/module/array.

1. Introduction
The field of Photovoltaic (PV) has experienced a remarkable growth for past two decades in its
widespread use from standalone to utility interactive PV systems [1, 2]. Solar cells are devices that
convert photons into electric potential in a PN silicon junction (or other material). A PV cell is a basic
unit that generates voltage in the range of 0.5 to 0.8 volts depending on cell technology being used. This
small generation is not of much commercial use if these cells are not integrated and connected together
in the module to give the handsome voltage at least to charge a standard battery of 12 volts. Thus what
we see physically in a PV system is the commercially available module; which are further connected in
series and parallel to form a PV Array as per the system requirement of voltage and the current. A typical
PV module is made up of around 36 or 72 Cells connected in series, encapsulated in a structure made of
Aluminum and Tedlar [3], depending on the application and type of cell technology being used. Among
prominent Cell technology Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline and thin Film technologies e.g amorphous
silicon (a-Si), copper indium diselenide (CuInSe2) and cadmium telluride (CdTe) are commercially
available. The monocrystalline and polycrystalline are based on costly microelectronic manufacturing
process and their sunlight to electrical efficiency varies from 10%-15% for monocrystalline and 9%-12%
for polycrystalline cells. Among Film Cell technology, a-Si has η=10%, CuInSe2 has η=12%, and CdTe
has η=9% [4]. Other novel technologies such as thin layer silicon and dye-sensitized nano-structured
materials are in early development stage and have η=9%.

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488 International Journal of Energy and Environment (IJEE), Volume 1, Issue 3, 2010, pp.487-500

The monocrystalline PV Cell/module has best efficiency among all commercially available technology
and therefore is a focus of present study. The present paper carries out simulation based study of the
Photovoltaic cell; a fundamental unit of generation, and PV modules; a commercially available unit for
monocrystalline technology. The genesis of PV cell has evolved through simultaneous development in
semiconductor material and processing technology as the PV cell largely behaves like a PN junction
(diode) which has been put under illumination for electricity generation. A PV cell model as described in
sections to follow therefore has diode as paradigm element and the characteristics difference in cell’s
electrical behaviour is brought in by materials constant and is normally modelled by two important diode
model parameters e.g. N & Is. The monocrystalline technology presently under study is best modelled
using one diode equivalent circuit whereas the other competitive technology of same class i.e.
polycrystalline is modelled using two diode equivalent circuit.

2. PV cell model
A mathematical description of current - voltage terminal characteristics for PV cells is available in
literature. The single exponential equation (1) which models a PV cell is derived from the physics of the
PN junction and is generally accepted as reflecting the characteristic behavior of the cell. A double
exponential equation may be used for the polycrystalline silicon cells [5].

⎛ q.(V + IRs ) ⎞ (V + IRs )

I = I ph − I s ⎜ exp − 1⎟ − (1)
⎝ N .K .T ⎠ Rsh

where
Iph is the short circuit current
Is is the reverse saturation current of diode (A),
q is the electron charge (1.602×10 -19 C),
V is the voltage across the diode (V),
K is the Boltzmann’s constant (1.381×10 -23 J/K),
T is the junction temperature in Kelvin (K).
N Ideality factor of the diode
Rs is the series resistance of diode,
Rsh is the shunt resistance of diode,

Working backwards from the equations, an equivalent circuit can be easily determined, and this aids to
the development of the simulation model. This equivalent circuit model is shown in Figure 1.

A Rs

Iph D1 Rsh LOAD

Figure 1. PV cell circuit model

The complete behaviour of PV cells are described by five model parameters (Iph, N, Is, Rs, Rsh) which is
representative of the physical behavior of PV cell/module. These five parameters of PV cell/module are
in fact related to two environmental conditions of solar insolation & temperature. The determination of
these model parameters is not straightforward owing to non-linear nature of equation (1).

3. Solar cell: a diode perspective

Solar cells are photodiodes on a large scale and therefore have some basic characteristics of a junction
diode. The nonlinearities in PV cell V-I characteristics is basically due to presence of this functional

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 International Journal of Energy and Environment (IJEE), Volume 1, Issue 3, 2010, pp.487-500 489

device diode as prominently seen in circuit model of Figure 1. It is therefore logical to begin with a
simulation study of four quadrant diode characteristics both under dark and also when illuminated.

A. Diode characteristics under dark

The schematic of Figure 1 is simulated for obtaining PV cell characteristics under dark and simulation
result is shown in Figure 2(a). Under dark the photon generated current is zero. Obviously, the PV cell
under Dark is a passive device and behaves like an ordinary diode.
The PV cell behavior under dark is thus the V-I characteristic curves of diode under forward and reverse
bias conditions respectively. The noteworthy point here is that the device diode behaves with positive
current and positive voltage in Ist-quadrant and with negative current and negative voltage in IIIrd –
quadrant.

Figure 2. (a) PV cell characteristics under dark

4
1 V Iph
u
e
1 Gain I
Math
-C- Divide Add
Function Add 1 To Workspace
Divide 2
q/nkT
-1 -C-
Constant 2 Is

Figure 2. (b) Simulink model of PV cell

1 S lemda Iph
constant lemda Iph

1 V
u I
e
Constant 1 -C-
Gain
Math Add 1 I
q/nkT Divide Add Divide 2
Function
-C-
-1
Is P
Constant 2

Divide 1 P

Figure 2. (c) Simulink model of PV cell for change in insolation

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490 International Journal of Energy and Environment (IJEE), Volume 1, Issue 3, 2010, pp.487-500

5
V-I Charac teris tics of PV Cell
1 sun
4

0.75 sun
3

Current 0.5 sun

2

0.25 sun
1

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
Voltage
Figure 2. (d) PV cell characteristics for changing insolation

B. V-I characteristics of PV cell

The effect of reduced solar insolation is actually to shift diode characteristic curve downward along
current axis as shown in Figure 2 (d). Equation (1) is simulated to plot V-I characteristic of the PV cell.
The simulink model is as shown in Figure 2 (b). Here V is varied from 0 V to 0.7 V in steps. With slight
modification in Figure 2 (b) i.e. Figure 2 (c) effect of change in insolation on V-I characteristic can be
seen as shown in Figure 2 (d). The shifting of diode characteristic curve with increasing insolation along
current axis reveals that current is proportional to incident sunlight while voltage capability of the cell is
almost constant from high to very low light levels. This indeed enunciates the PV-cell behaviour is more
like a current source than a voltage source and occurrence of PV-effect is in fourth quadrant only. Here it
is noteworthy to see that cell generates both current and voltage and acts as a photovoltaic generator.

C. PV cell under Illumination

The effect of solar insolation (Illumination) on a PN junction can be studied by increasing the value of
insolation from its zero value (for dark), to a value of 1000W/m2 , a standard test condition for which its
performance is specified and also termed as 100% solar radiation or 1 sun i.e. 1000W/m2. Since the
photon generated current Iph is directly proportional to solar insolation incident upon cell, a 0.75 times
the value of rated Iph will represent 75% of solar insolation or 0.75 suns. Similarly a value of 50% of
rated Iph will correspond to 50% and likewise.
Figure 2 (b) shows the simulink diagram for simulating the PV cell which is obtained by the
mathematical representation of the pv cell eq.(1). On simulating the family of characteristic curves of
Figure 2 (d) can be produced for varying insolation level by changing insolation level from 0.25 sun to 1
sun in steps of 0.25 using Figure 2 (c). The PV cell output is limited by the cell current and the cell
voltage, and it can only produce a power with any combinations of current and voltage on the I-V curve.
It also shows that the cell current is proportional to the irradiance.

4. Determination of V-I characteristics: experimental set up

Figure 3 (a) depicts scheme of measurement, which is used to obtain V-I characteristics of a PV module.
Light source in the laboratory using an array of Dichroic halogen lamp (12V, 50W) whose distance with
respect to PV module can be adjusted to get different level of Insolation. To get V-I characteristics of a
PV module at different temperature, a circuit of tubes on rear side of module frame is distributed and
controlled hot air is blown through to set desired temperature. Different sensors and signal conditioning
unit are used to measure voltage, current, temperature and solar Insolation of the PV module.

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 International Journal of Energy and Environment (IJEE), Volume 1, Issue 3, 2010, pp.487-500 491

Boost Converter
Lb Db
P
V

A VPV S Cb
r
Rb
r
a Rs
y

VR
Hysteresis MOSFET
Proportional Band Driver
Controller Controller Circuit

(a) (b)

Figure 3. (a) Experimental set up, and (b) PV loading circuit

5
11:45 am 26/06/05

4
Current

0
0 5 Voltage 10 15 20

Figure 3. (c) Experimentally obtained V-I characteristics of PV module

A DC to DC boost converter shown in Figure 3 (b) is used to load PV array electrically. The
arrangement makes use of PC controlled incremental loading of solar module and scans through its V-I
characteristics. As PV module is loaded, current drawn from PV panel increases and its voltage falls
down as is obvious from V-I characteristics of a PV cell in Figure 2 (d). The reference voltage VR is
generated through a 12 bit DAC of Data acquisition card for loading of PV array. By varying VR, one
can load PV module from open circuit to short circuit and V-I characteristics of module can be scanned
through. The computer using data acquisition card and program written in ‘C’ language; acquires data of
voltage, current, solar insolation and temperature for corresponding value of VR. The data file stores data
in suitable format to be used with MS excel program for plotting the V-I characteristics of the PV
module. One such characteristic is shown in Figure 3 (c).

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492 International Journal of Energy and Environment (IJEE), Volume 1, Issue 3, 2010, pp.487-500

Effect of variation of N
5
on open circuit voltage of PV Cell

4
N=2
N=1.5
PV Current I 3 N=1

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
Voltage V
Figure 4. (a) PV cell characteristics with varying ‘N’

Iph

4
1 V
u
e I
Constant 1 Gain
Divide Math Add 2 To Workspace
Function Add Divide 2
-C-
-1
q/ns*nkT
ns=1 for cell -1 1 Is
1 Gain 1

Figure 4. (b) Simulink model of PV cell for change in saturation current

5. Model parameter variation

The circuit model of Figure 1 readily offers an investigation in variation of five model parameter of
which two parameters Is & N are related to Diode model, one parameter Iph is related to light or photon
generated current and resistance Rs and Rsh represent various losses in PV cell. In this section, effect of
variation of these five parameters and their influence on V-I graph of PV Cell is studied using Simulink.

A. Diode Parameter (Is & N) Variation

With slight modifications simulink model of Figure 4 (b), is used to draw the V-I characteristic with
changing value of N. Equation (1) is simulated for three different values of N. Figure 4 (a) shows ‘V-I
characteristics’ of a PV cell for three different values of N corresponding to 1, 1.5 & 2 respectively. The
ideal value of Ideality -factor ‘N’ is unity but its practical value for Silicon PV cell lies between 1 & 2. It
can be observed that as we increase value of N, the open circuit voltage of cell increases, and this fact
may effectively be used in simulation of a PV module, which is a congregation of many cells in series.
Another important model parameter which reflects variation in V-I characteristics of PV cell is diode
reverse saturation current Is. The simulated graph of Figure 4(c) shows ‘V-I characteristics’ of PV cell
for three different values of Is corresponding to 100nA, 10µA, and 1µA. The effect of increasing Is is
obviously seen as corresponding decrease in open circuit voltage.

B. Variation in Rs
The PV cell model of Figure 1 has two loss representative element Rs and Rsh. The effect of increasing
value of Rs can be seen using simulink model produced for equation (1). The main variable is control

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 International Journal of Energy and Environment (IJEE), Volume 1, Issue 3, 2010, pp.487-500 493

voltage V and another variable is introduced in the feedback as Rs. The simulation is produced for three
different values of Rs as 0.001Ω, 0.01Ω, and 0.1Ω. The resultant V-I characteristics and power-curves is
obtained as shown in Figure 4 (d). The series resistance (Rs) of the PV module has a large impact on the
slope of the I-V curve near the open-circuit voltage (Voc), as shown in the graph. One can observe decay
of PV cell constant current characteristics at an early cell voltage for higher value of Rs, indicating more
output power loss.

5
Effec t of variation of Is on open
c ircuit voltage of PV cell
4

3 Is=100 nA
10 uA
Current

1 uA

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
Voltage
Figure 4. (c) PV cell characteristics with varying ‘Is’

5
V-I Characteristics
4
Rs=0.001
Rs=0.01
Current & Power

2
Power Curves

1 Rs=0.1

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
Voltage
Figure 4. (d) PV cell characteristics with varying ‘Rs’

The power curves demonstrate that higher value of Rs reduces power output of a cell. An indicative
index known as ‘Fill factor’ in PV terminology is defined for judgment of efficient cell operation as
given by (2):

Pmax
FF = (2)
Voc ⋅ I sc

The fill factor appreciably gets low for higher value of Rs.

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494 International Journal of Energy and Environment (IJEE), Volume 1, Issue 3, 2010, pp.487-500

5
V-I Charac teris tics
Rsh=1000 ohms
4

3 Rsh=10 ohms

I and P
Power Curves
2
Rsh= 1 ohm

1 This voltage is changed

as Is and N are changed to
show the effect of Rsh
0
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Voltage V
Figure 4. (e) PV cell characteristics with varying ‘Rsh’

C. Variation in Rsh
The effect of varying Rsh of a PV cell under Simulink can be produced in the same way as is done for
varying Rs. The varying parameter is now Rsh in place of Rs. The simulation is produced for three
different values of Rsh; 1kΩ, 100Ω & 10Ω. The resultant V-I characteristics & power-curves plotted is
shown in Figure 4 (e). It is observed that the smallest value of Rsh causes PV cell current to fall more
steeply indicating higher power loss and low Fill Factor.
All practical PV cell therefore must have high value of Rsh and low value of Rs for giving more output
power and higher Fill Factor.

6. Environmental parameter variation

A. PV Cell under Reduced Insolation
The two environmental conditions of Solar Insolation and Temperature govern output of a PV Cell.
Simulink is used to demonstrate behavior of PV cell under varying solar insolation. The schematic used
for the purpose is same as shown in Figure 2 (c).
The photon generated current Iph is in fact related with solar insolation λ as

λ
I ph = [ I SC + k I (T − 298)] (3)
100

KI = 0.0017 A/oC is cell’s short-circuit current temperature coefficient, ISC is cells short circuit current at
25oC, T is the cell’s temperature and λ is the solar insolation in kW/m2

From equation (3), it can be seen that at constant temperature, the photon generated current ‘Iph’ is
directly proportional to solar insolation. If now the rated ‘Isc’ of specimen PV cell is 4A under STC (solar
insolation of 1 sun at 25oC), i.e. 1000 W/m2 insolation. Then insolation of 0.75, 0.5 & 0.25 Sun (at 25oC)
can accordingly be set by setting insolation variable λ.
The effect of varying solar insolation on V-I characteristics can now be produced using Simulink where
the main variable is control voltage V and other variable is insolation. The simulation is produced for
five different values of solar insolation from zero to 1 sun in steps of 0.25 sun. The resultant V-I
characteristics and power- curves is shown in Figure 5 (a).

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 International Journal of Energy and Environment (IJEE), Volume 1, Issue 3, 2010, pp.487-500 495

5
V-I Characteristics of PV Cell
1 sun
4

0.75 sun Power

3 Curves

I and P
0.5 sun

2
0.25 sun

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
Voltage
Figure 5. (a) PV cell characteristics with varying ‘insolation’

From the simulation result it can be observed that as solar radiation falling on PV cell is reduced, both Isc
and Voc decreases, but the change in Voc is not as prominent with incident solar radiation as is with Isc,
which varies almost directly proportional.

B. PV Cell under Varying Temperature

The effect of varying temperature on PV cell output is two fold: (i) It affects short circuit current ‘Isc’ of
Cell as given by equation (3). (ii) It changes saturation current of the diode in PV cell approximately as
cubic power and is given by equation (4),

3
⎡ T ⎤ ⎡⎛ T ⎞ Eg ⎤
I s (T ) = I s ⎢ ⎥ exp ⎢⎜ − 1⎟ ⎥ (4)
⎣ Tnom ⎦ ⎢⎣⎝ Tnom ⎠ N .Vt ⎦⎥

Tnom = 273oK, Is is cell’s reverse saturation current, Eg is band gap energy of the semiconductor and Vt is
thermal voltage at room temperature.

Obviously from (4) the saturation current of diode of PV cell is highly temperature dependent and it
increases with increase in temperature and is taken care by Simulink diode model. The increased
saturation current in fact reduces open circuit voltage as discussed in section V.

PV Cell simulink model for variation in Temperature

1/Rsh

-K -

1 T T Is
-C-
q Constant 5 Gain Is
Ir
simout
1 V u
e
Id I
Constant 2 Gain 2 Math
Product Function
1 Iph
-C-
1 Iph
nkT(inv ) Constant
Constant 1 Gain 3 P
-K -
. P
Rs

Figure 5. (b) Simulink model of PV cell for change in temperature

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496 International Journal of Energy and Environment (IJEE), Volume 1, Issue 3, 2010, pp.487-500

1e-9

Ido

1
T u(1)^3
1
Product Fcn Io
Product 3

1/298
u
1 e
1/Tr
u Product 2 Math
f(u) 1/T -C- Function
Fcn2 q/nk

36
1.16 Eg
m
Constant

Figure 5. (c) Internal schematic of subsystem Is

4.5
V-I Characteristics
4

Temperature
Current and Power

=25 deg.C
3 = 50 deg.C
= 75 deg.C

2
Power Curves

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
Voltage V
Figure 5. (d) PV cell characteristics & power curves with varying temperature

To study the effect of Temperature variation on PV cell output, temperature is taken as one of the
variable in addition to the voltage. V-I characteristics and power curves are obtained as shown in
Figure 5 (d) after simulation of Figure 5 (b). Figure 5 (c) show the detailed diagram of subsystem Is
which is obtained after simulating equation (4).

7. PV module and array characteristics

A solar photovoltaic module is a congregation of solar PV cells in series so as to produce a compatible
voltage to charge a standard battery of 12 volts. A stand-alone PV cell generates a voltage in the range of
0.5-0.6 volts and has non-linear voltage-current relationship as given by (1). Uptill now the focus of the
study was basic unit a PV cell. To carry out simulation study of a PV module; the PV Cell voltage-
current relationship in eq. (1) is modified for PV Module by neglecting Rs & Rsh and is now given as eq.
(5).
⎛ qV ⎞
I = n p .I ph − n p I s ⎜ exp − 1⎟ (5)
⎝ ( N .K .T ).ns ⎠

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 International Journal of Energy and Environment (IJEE), Volume 1, Issue 3, 2010, pp.487-500 497

5
150
V-I Characteris tic s and Power Curves of PV Module

1Sun
4
120

0.75Sun
3
90

Power
Current

0.5Sun
2 60

Power
0.25 Sun Curves
1 30

0 0
0 5 10 Voltage 15 20 25

Figure 6. PV module characteristics & power curves for varying insolation

35 1000
V-I Chrac teris tics and Power Curves
30 of Array
1 Sun
Power Curves 800
25
V-I Chrac teris tic s
0.75 Sun
600
20
Current

Power
15 0.5 Sun
400

10
0.25 Sun
200
5

0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50
Voltage
Figure 7. PV array characteristics and power curves for varying insolation

In a PV module there is only one path available for conduction of current as all the cells are connected in
series, therefore np = 1. The number of series connected cells in the PV module which is used for
experimental work here is 36 hence ns is taken as 36. Hence PV module simulation study is identical
with the PV cell study and the schematic of Figure 2 (c) can be used to simulate the characteristic of a
PV module after introducing np and ns at the appropriate places.
With this formulation, the simulation result of a PV module is shown in Figure 6 for Is = 100nA. The
plots are very much identical to Figure 5 (a), with the exception that Voc is higher and now represent
characteristics for a PV module than for a PV cell.
PV array can be simulated in a similar manner by making a slight change in the equation and simulink
model by putting np = 7 and ns = 72. As there are two modules connected in series and seven such series
connected pairs are connected in parallel to form an array. The simulated graph is shown in Figure 7.

8. Maximum power point tracking

A plot of dP/dV is shown in Figure 8. The intersection of the dP/dV graph on voltage axis i.e. X-Axis
gives the voltage corresponding to peak or maximum power of the PV module (since at voltage axis, the
dP/dV=0). The Value of dP/dV is negative on the right side of the MPP and positive on the left side.

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498 International Journal of Energy and Environment (IJEE), Volume 1, Issue 3, 2010, pp.487-500

35 1000

dP/dV Curves
Power Curves
1 SUN
28 800

0.75 SUN
21 600

Power
dP/dV

0.5 SUN
14 400

0.25 SUN
7 200

0 0
0
00 55 10
10 15
15 20
20 25
25 30
30 35
35 40
40
Voltage

Figure 8. Array power-curves and dP/dV curves for varying insolation

V -I Graph
Voltage

S(lemda) I I
T Incr
298 P P-V Graph
V
V
Temperature PV Array2 IncCond
P

u+100 To Workspace

Fcn1 Lookup Table 2

Add
V
To Workspace 1
Memory 1

Figure 9. Maximum power point tracking of PV array by IncCond algorithm

Many Maximum power point techniques and algorithms are available in Literature which can locate
MPP such that dP/dV=0 at any given instant and environmental conditions of Solar Insolation and
Temperature [6, 7]. First individual simulink models are developed using the flow chart for each
algorithm. Then in the next step the algorithms are used for PV array to operate at MPP under changing
insolation and varying temperature thereafter. The control diagram of the system for simulating MPPT
algorithm is shown in Figure 9. Figure 10 gives the detailed simulink model of incremental conductance
algorithm.
IncCond Method is described here for reference. Voltage and current of the PV array are the input to the
IncCond model of mppt algorithm. Output of IncCond block is sent to lookup table of voltage. The
output of the look up table is feeded back to PV array. A matlab function block (u+100) is added to make
the voltage around 29V for fast locating MPP. The reason being that normally maximum power occurs at
around 70% to 80% of Voc which is around 29V for the panel under consideration. PV array is receiving
insolation and temperature as input. Here in this simulation temperature is kept constant and insolation is
varied from 100 W/m2 to 1000 W/m2 in steps of 100. The simulated result shows the feasibility of the
tracking algorithm as shown in Figure 11. Maximum power tracked is 857.4 W, voltage =32.5V with an
oscillation from 849.5 W to 852.9 W at an insolation of 1000. For an insolation of 700W/m2 maximum
power tracked is equal to 585.9 W, voltage = 32V with an oscillation from 582.1W to 579.9 W.

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 International Journal of Energy and Environment (IJEE), Volume 1, Issue 3, 2010, pp.487-500 499

1 In 1 Out1 3
dI
I
I(k)-I(k-1) dV 1
In1 Out1 1
Subsystem
Out1
Incr
2 In1 Increment generated using switch
V
V(k)-V (k-1) [dG ] Add
dI /dV
Divide 1
|u| Abs

dV 2
Divide
[dG] dG 1
dI /dV 1 Add 5 Subsystem1

Figure 10. Simulink model of incremental conductance algorithm

1000
X: 33.5
Perform ance Evaluation of IncCond Y: 852.9

800 X: 31.5
Y: 849.5

600 Insolation
Power

=1000W/m2

=100W/m2
400

200

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Voltage
Figure 11. Maximum power point tracking by IncCond for varying insolation

9. Conclusion
A Photovoltaic system not only consist of PV modules but also involves good deal of power electronics
as an interface between PV modules and load for effective and efficient utilization of naturally available
Sun power. Such a PV model is easy to be used for the implementation on Matlab/Simulink modelling
and simulation platform. Specially, in the context of the SimPower-System tool, the PV model can be
used for the modelling and analysis in the field of solar PV power conversion system. The purpose of
using Simulink for simulation is that system study as a whole can be undertaken as it can simulate both
PV modules and the associated power electronics under different operating conditions and load.

References
[1] Frede Blabbjerg, Zhe Chen and Soren Baekhoej Kjaer, “Power Electronics as efficient interface in
dispersed power generation systems,” IEEE Trans. of Power Electronics. vol. 19, No. 5, sept.
2004, pp. 1184-1194.
[2] J. P. Benner and L. Kazmerski, “Photovoltaics gaining greater visibility” IEEE Spectrum, vol. 29,
pp. 34-42, sept. 1999.
[3] E. Bezzel, H. Lauritzen and S. Wedel, “The Photo electrical chemical solar Cell,” PEC Solar Cell
Project, Danish Technological Institute, Tastrup, Denmark, 2004.
[4] PV Status report 2009.

ISSN 2076-2895 (Print), ISSN 2076-2909 (Online) ©2010 International Energy & Environment Foundation. All rights reserved.
 500 International Journal of Energy and Environment (IJEE), Volume 1, Issue 3, 2010, pp.487-500

[5] Huan-Liang Tsai, Ci-Siang Tu, and Yi-Jie Su, Member, “Development of Generalized
Photovoltaic Model Using MATLAB/SIMULINK,” Proceedings of the World Congress on
Engineering and Computer Science WCECS, October 22 - 24, 2008, San Francisco, USA
[6] Balakrishna S, Thansoe, Nabil A, Rajamohan G, Kenneth A.S., Ling C. J. “The Study and
Evaluation of Maximum Power Point Tracking Systems” International Conference on Energy and
Environment 2006 (ICEE 2006).
[7] Roberto Faranda, Sonia Leva “Energy comparison of MPPT techniques for PV Systems” Wseas
Transactions on Power Systems Issue 6, Volume 3, June 2008 pp. 446-455.

Savita Nema is Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Maulana Azad National
Institute of Technology, Bhopal, India. She received her Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering and
Masters degree in Control Engineering from Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur India. Her current
research focuses on Residential Photovoltaic Energy Storage System and its Modeling.
E-mail address: s_nema@yahoo.com

R. K. Nema received his PhD degree in Electrical Engineering from Barkatullah University, Bhopal, India
in 2004. He is currently Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Maulana Azad
National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, India. His current research interest include power conditioning
unit for Renewable Energy storage system particularly Solar Energy, Hybrid Energy Systems, Grid
Interconnection of Renewable Energy sources.
E-mail address: rk_nema@yahoo.com

Gayatri Agnihotri is a Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Maulana Azad National
Institute of Technology, Bhopal, India. She received her PhD in System Engineering from Indian Institute
of Technology, New Delhi, India. Her current research focuses on Modeling of Hybrid Energy Systems.
Her current research area are Modeling of Hybrid Energy Systems and power system.
E-mail address: gayatria1@rediffmail.com

ISSN 2076-2895 (Print), ISSN 2076-2909 (Online) ©2010 International Energy & Environment Foundation. All rights reserved.

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