Comparison of different commercial solar photovoltaic modules
Wu, Yuanyuan Jr (2016)
Wu, Yuanyuan Jr
2016
Master's Degree Programme in Electrical Engineering
Tieto- ja sähkötekniikan tiedekunta - Faculty of Computing and Electrical Engineering
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2016-06-08
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tty-201605133979
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tty-201605133979
Tiivistelmä
Photovoltaic (PV) modules are used to convert the solar energy into practical electricity. There are some different materials which are applied to produce PV modules. The most commonly used materials include crystalline silicon, Cadmium Telluride (CdTe), Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS), and amorphous silicon (a-Si). The thesis is developed in order to compare these different PV modules.
First, the solar energy and the structure of PV module are introduced briefly in order to understand the operating principles. This thesis presents the construction of a single-diode model and its enhanced version for the PV modules, based on manufacturers’ datasheets, which is in Standard Test Conditions (STC). The models are generated in Matlab Simulink software in two conditions: variation of temperature with standard irradiance, and variation of irradiance with constant temperature. The simulation results are shown in the form of Current – Voltage (I – V) and Power – Voltage (P – V) curves. The variation of short circuit current and open circuit voltage with different temperature are in good agreement with the temperature coefficients of short circuit current and open circuit voltage. When irradiance changes, the short circuit current is in proportion to insolation, while the open circuit voltage changes in logarithm relation with irradiance.
In this thesis, the PV modules which are made of different materials are compared from four perspectives: fill factor in STC, solar power efficiency in STC, power warranty and PV module stability. The first three properties can be calculated from the datasheets’ parameters, while the last property is analyzed from two aspects: temperature dependence of maximum power, and irradiance dependence of maximum power, according to I – V and P – V curves. Monocrystalline silicon PV module is the most efficient, stable and longlived product, but it is very expensive. Polycrystalline silicon PV module is not so efficient and stable as monocrystalline silicon PV module, however, it is produced more simply and costs less. As for the thin film PV modules, they are so flexible and cheap that are appropriate for the situation where space is not an issue.
First, the solar energy and the structure of PV module are introduced briefly in order to understand the operating principles. This thesis presents the construction of a single-diode model and its enhanced version for the PV modules, based on manufacturers’ datasheets, which is in Standard Test Conditions (STC). The models are generated in Matlab Simulink software in two conditions: variation of temperature with standard irradiance, and variation of irradiance with constant temperature. The simulation results are shown in the form of Current – Voltage (I – V) and Power – Voltage (P – V) curves. The variation of short circuit current and open circuit voltage with different temperature are in good agreement with the temperature coefficients of short circuit current and open circuit voltage. When irradiance changes, the short circuit current is in proportion to insolation, while the open circuit voltage changes in logarithm relation with irradiance.
In this thesis, the PV modules which are made of different materials are compared from four perspectives: fill factor in STC, solar power efficiency in STC, power warranty and PV module stability. The first three properties can be calculated from the datasheets’ parameters, while the last property is analyzed from two aspects: temperature dependence of maximum power, and irradiance dependence of maximum power, according to I – V and P – V curves. Monocrystalline silicon PV module is the most efficient, stable and longlived product, but it is very expensive. Polycrystalline silicon PV module is not so efficient and stable as monocrystalline silicon PV module, however, it is produced more simply and costs less. As for the thin film PV modules, they are so flexible and cheap that are appropriate for the situation where space is not an issue.