SW framework for simulation and evaluation of partial shading effects in configurable PV systems

This SW framework is proposed as a design tool, which simulates the energy production of the system, while considering the characteristics of a photovoltaic (PV) power plant. The framework is made available upon request to the scientific community. The model takes into account not only the specification of the panels, the topology of the array and the conditions of the weather, but also the irradiation and the shading patterns, as well as the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm. The proposed tool allows to evaluate the performance of PV power plants being designed, while taking into account not only the design parameters but also the environmental characteristics, including the weather or terrain. However, differently from other tools, it also allows to compare the performance of MPPT algorithms, thus supporting the design of the PV power plant. Our experiments reveal that, in a plant of 4160 panels and about 6691 square meters, with a peak power of 998.5 kWp, dividing the PV modules among 13 inverter (320 modules each) and supporting the MPPT procedure, the yield loss can be lowered by about 13% with respect to a centralized PV plant with standard MPPT approaches. Over a year, the estimated increase of the income is over 3200 C.