14th International Power Electronics and Motion Control Conference, EPE-PEMC 2010

Mathematical Modeling of Photovoltaic Systems

Jan Leuchter*, Vladimir Rerucha* and Ahmed F. Zobaa**
*University of Defence/Department of Electrical Engineering, Brno, Czech Republic, e-mail: jan.leuchter@unob.cz
**Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middx, United Kingdom, azobaa@ieee.org

Abstract — This paper proposes a mathematical model for
photovoltaic panels (PV) in the range 10–25 V with
approximately 50 W of power generation and an open-
circuit voltage below 25 V. Mathematical models of PV are
presented, compared and verified against experimental
measurements on a photovoltaic set-up. This shows the
advantage of mathematical modeling of photovoltaic panels
to achieve maximum power by maximum power point
tracking (MPPT), compared with previous methods, since a
novel model can be implemented easily in the controller to
establish maximum power. A flexible design with high
efficiency is thereby achieved.
Fig. 1, where the open-circuit voltage is 21.5 V, short-
circuit current 3.42 A and maximum peak power 53 W.
An experiment was performed to quantify the
performance of photovoltaic power systems. Fig. 2 shows
the photovoltaic power systems which were installed,
allowing them to be tested under identical conditions. The
experimental set-up allows the intensity of sun radiation to
be changed by using halogen lamps and their switches in
combination as can be seen in Fig. 2 b.

Keywords — Photovoltaic, Modeling.

I. INTRODUCTION
Photovoltaic power sources are very attractive sources
of electricity. Civilization is solely dependent on energy:
starting from the simplest energy consumption in the form
of fire from wood to various types of energy sources
available today. As the population of the world grows
larger and larger and resources get depleted, alternative
energy sources that are environmentally friendly and at
the same time that can fully satisfy the needs of the
population in general become inevitable. Besides other
renewable energy sources, solar energy is one that can be
relied upon. Solar power can be utilized in the form of
electrical energy. The most common photovoltaic (PV)
techniques nowadays are monocrystalline and
multicrystalline silicon modules based on microelectronic
processes with very low efficiency. In the case of
harnessing the energy of the sun in the form of solar
electrical energy, the high cost and low efficiency of
photovoltaic cells, that convert sunlight into direct current
a)
b)
Fig. 2. The photovoltaic set up a) PV module, b) light-position
The experiment first tested and calibrated the current-
voltage (I-V) curves of the photovoltaic module exposed
to halogen lamps and then was tested outside (natural
solar radiation). During testing in the laboratory, the
temperature of the case was stabilized to approximately
20 °C. The different output characteristics of the PV
module are shown in Fig. 3.
3
2.5

electricity, represent major constraints to its full

2
utilization. However, as solar energy is believed to be a
real source of sustainable and clean energy, a lot is being
I [A]

1.5

done to improve the efficiency of solar cells so they may

1
be used at large scale.
0.5
+
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
U [V]

position 1 position 1, 2 and 3 position 1 and 2

sun radiation sun radiation 2

- Fig. 3. Measured I-V curves of PV module (M-S36-53)

Fig. 1. Configuration of photovoltaic panel (M-S36-53, Solartec) II. MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF PV

PV modules (PVM) often combine as many cells in
series to produce voltages in the range from 10 to 30 V
and to generate powers of approximately 50 W and
currents of several amperes. The simplest configuration of
photovoltaic panel (M-S36-53, Solartec) is shown in
The PV panel can be represented as a system for energy
transformation. The model in the block diagram of Fig. 4
consists of inputs (Sun radiation intensity G, load current I
and temperature T) and outputs (output voltage U of PV
panel).

978-1-4244-7855-2/10/$26.00 ©2010 IEEE S4-1

 T with parameter r, which represents the conductivity [Ω-1].
Therefore,
G 1
U I = I (U , q ) = q ⋅ (1 + ) + r ⋅U =
PV U −U S
I . (6)
1
q ⋅ (1 + ) + r ⋅U
Fig. 4. Block diagram of PV panel U − s0 − s1 ⋅ q
The PV model can be expressed by equation 1.
F(I,U, G, T) = 0 (1), k ⋅q
U =US + (7)
I − k ⋅ q − r ⋅U
where the current is limited by the short-circuit current Ik,
the voltage is limited by the open-circuit voltage U0, and where Us is a linear approximation.
G represents the conductivity of the PV panels. The U S = s0 + s1 ⋅ q (8).
conductivity and temperature parameters are nonlinear Then the open-circuit voltage U0 and short-circuit current
and consequently the output voltage of the PV model is Ik are given by:
nonlinear too.
According to the above relations for the PV module, the k ⋅q k ⋅q
U0 = U S − = s0 + s1q − (9)
approximation to PV voltage and current can be expressed k ⋅ q + r ⋅U S k ⋅ q + r ⋅ ( s0 + s1q )
by equations 2 and 3, where parameter q is the value of 1 1
the sun radiation intensity G. Voltage UP provides a linear I k ( q) = I (0, q) = k ⋅ q ⋅ (1 − ) = k ⋅ q ⋅ (1 − ) (10).
approximation to the output characteristics with US s0 + s1 ⋅ q
coefficients p0 and p1, where po = 18.6 and p1 = 2.35 for a The linear approximation (Eq. 8) to the output
a range of values of q and constant temperature 20°C. characteristics has coefficients s0 = 18.8, s1 = 2.3 and r =
q q -0.003. The results of I-V PV characteristics by
U = U ( I , q ) = p0 + p1 ⋅ q + =UP + . (2) mathematical modeling with the previous equations are
( I − q) (I − q) shown in Fig. 6. It can be seen that this approximation
1 gives better results and higher accuracy in comparison
I = q ⋅ (1 + ) (3) with the previous approximation. On the other hand, the
U −UP first method can be more effective in simplifying the
Similarly, the open-circuit voltage U0 and short-circuit hardware implementation of maximum power point
current Ik can be formulated and approximated as tracking. The results of the experimental verification
correspond well to the mathematical modeling.
U 0 = U P − 1 = p1 ⋅ q + p0 − 1 = 2.35 ⋅ q + 18.6 . (4)
4
1 1 q=q(G)
I k = q ⋅ (1 − ) = q ⋅ (1 − ) ≈ 0.96 ⋅ q − 0.003 (5)
UP p0 + p1 ⋅ q 3
Fig. 5 shows the relationship between photovoltaic
voltage and current represented by the effect of the solar 2
I [A]

radiation intensity q.
3
modeling 1
2.5
measured
2 0
0 5 10 15 20 25
U [V]
I [A]

1.5

1 Fig. 6. I-V characteristics of PV

0.5
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
U [V]
Fig. 5. I-V characteristics of PV (mathematical modeling and
experimental verification)
Similarly, the above PV curve obtained by
measurement (Fig. 3) and the results of modeling the I-V
PV characteristics with the formulae given above are
shown in Fig. 5. The results of modeling are given by a
full line and the results of testing by a discontinuous line.
It can be seen that modeling gives acceptable results and
the PV model can be expressed by the equations 2 or 3.
Secondly, a mathematical model of the PV, which is
more accurate, is shown below. The model was extended
III. TEMPERATURE EFFECT OF PV
The temperature dependence must be included in the
mathematical modeling of PV for two reasons: the profiles
of the characteristics are functions of temperature and the
maximum power tracking point changes with temperature,
as will be shown below. If the MPPT is a function of
temperature then the power losses and energy efficiency
will depend on temperature. One of the modifications of
equations 3 and 4 by equations 11 and 12 is shown. The
relationship of photovoltaic voltage and temperature
represented by kT and UPT which are the parameters
defined in equations 13 and 14.
kT ⋅q
U = U PT + (11)
I − kT ⋅ q

S4-2
 1 Rload ⋅ U o
I = I (U , q, T ) = kT ⋅ q ⋅ (1 + ) (12) I= (18),
U − U PT Uo
+ Rload
kT = 1 + k1 (T − T0 ) (13) Ik
U PT = p0 + p1q − p2 (T − T0 ) . (14), where
Rload instantaneous load
where To is 20°C (normal temperature). The coefficients
k1 and p2 are 0 at normal temperature and the dependence Uo open-circuit voltage
on temperature is represented by these coefficients. Ik short-circuit current.
Similarly, the temperature effect can be applied to
equations 6 and 7. This temperature value is expressed by Rs [Iload ]

1 + i

I = I (U , q, T ) = kT ⋅ q ⋅ (1 + ) + r ⋅U (15)
-

U − U ST Ri
IPV D

+
kT ⋅q Diode Rload +
- v
[Uload ]

U = U ST + , (16),

s
-
I − kT ⋅ q − r ⋅ U ST [I]

where the parameter kT , which was shown above, and a

new parameter UST , which was obtained from equation 14
and modified by a new coefficient s2 to achieve higher Fig. 8. Equivalent circuit of PV panel (MATLAB-SIMULINK)
precision.
U ST = s0 + s1 ⋅ q − s2 ⋅ (T − T0 ) . (17)
seting p0

18 .6
double
vypocet Up

Fig. 7 illustrates the temperature dependence using the

q
p1 p0+p1*q

solar radiation 2
double
[q]
2.35
double double
u(1)+u(2)*u(3);
double
[Up]

relation between current and voltage in the solar panel,

R

Rload
double
double [q]
50 [Rload ]

calculating
double vypocet U
[Up]
R*Uo/Ri+R

which was described mathematically by the equations

double
Rload [Rload ] double double
(u(1)*(u(2)-1))/(u(1)+((u(2)-1)/(0.96*u(3)-0.003 ))) [U]

k
To Workspace2
voltage

given above. As shown in the figure, a photovoltaic source temperature

U
double
1 [k]
To Workspace 1

double

depending on temperature has both the photovoltaic

[q]

double vypocet I
[Up ]
q+q/(U-Up)

modeling a nonlinear
voltage and current depending on temperature. The
double double
u(1)+(u(1)/(u(3)-u(2))) [I]
+ double
- v

rezistance
temperature effect shown in Fig. 7 was calculated for q=3 1
Connection
s
-
Isource
+ 2
Connection
Port1

and for temperatures T= [0, 20 ,40 ,60 , 80] °C.

Port

PV model

- +
4

i
+ double
- v
[Uload ] [Iload ] double
+
s
-

80°C [U]
double

3
save data

0°C
double
[U] double MATLAB double
Function
double
[I]

double
[P]
U1

2 double
I [A]

[U] 18 .09

I1
double 1.616
[I]

results
P1
double 29 .24

[P ]

1 [Uload ]
double 18 .09

Display 2

double 1.616
[Iload ]

Display 1

80°C 0°C
0 Fig. 9. Model of PV in MATLAB-SIMULINK
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
The output characteristics of the previous model are
U [V] shown in Fig. 10. Changing the variables causes the I-V
Fig. 7. I-V characteristics of PV with temperature dependence curves of the photovoltaic module and load to change as
(modeling) well, as illustrated in Fig. 10.
IV. SYSTEM MODELING AND SIMULATION
The first step of modeling the PV was given above.
Consequently, an estimation of a complete set of
parameters has been made. The model that has been used
in the simulation is shown in Fig. 8, as an equivalent
electrical circuit, where Ri is the internal resistance of the
PV, Rs is the parasitic resistance of the connection, RL is
the load resistance, D is a diode equivalent to a nonlinear
voltage. Motivated by the above basic principle, there are
many ways of implementing the model. As an example, a
simple analog model is illustrated in Fig. 9. The PV panel
was simulated as a voltage source with nonlinear
impedance having the following I-V characteristic:
a)

S4-3

b)
Fig. 10. Simulated I-V and P-V curves of Model of PV (M-S36-53,
Solartec) in MATLAB-SIMULINK
As mentioned above, another important factor that
influences the characteristics of a photovoltaic module is
temperature, as shown in Fig. 11. The temperature
variation causes a significant change in the actual
operating point of the PV module along the x-axis.
a)
b)
Fig. 11. Simulated I-V and P-V curves of Model of PV (M-S36-53,
Solartec) influenced by temperature in MATLAB-SIMULINK
V. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS FOR MODEL VERIFICATION
The output power as a result of changing the solar
radiation intensity G and loads are shown in Fig. 12. The
output power has been estimated by means of
mathematical modeling. The results of PV mathematical
modeling are shown by grey colors lines and the result of
the experimental verification are represented by thick lines
(colored lines). The maximum power values of solar
radiation intensities are given as points (stars) in the
figure. From the figure, it can be seen that the results of
modeling and experimental verification are very similar.
S4-4
50,0
45,0
40,0
35,0
30,0
G
P [W]
25,0
20,0
15,0
10,0
5,0
0,0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
U [V]
Fig. 12. P-V characteristics of 50 W PV panel (measured and modeling
results)
VI. CONCLUSIONS
The mathematical analyses outlined above have been
used to set up a model of photovoltaic panels by means of
mathematical numerical methods. Our model allows the
temperature dependence of the PV system to be modeled
with Matlab. The paper briefly shows the method of
modeling PV modules with power electronics, where there
are problems associated with dynamic changes in the
internal resistance of PV and converters. The paper
presented an experimental photovoltaic system which was
set up at the University of Defence that permits
mathematical models of PV to be verified.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The research work is supported by the GA of the Czech
Republic (project no. 102/09/0013).
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