Sustainable Renewable Energy Engineering

Fall 2021/2022

Solar PV System Lab (0406321)

Experiment 6
Experiment shading effects on PV panels
(edibon system)
Student Name Student ID
Nada Nouichi U18105601
Reem Younis Alamiri U18100508
Aysha Alnuaimi U18200229
Daniya Haitham U19104324

Lab Instructor Dr Anis Allagui

Lab Engineer Dr Monadhel A.
Experiment Date 10/10/2021
Report submission 1/11/2021
Section 02
 Table of Content
Abstract................………………………………………………………
Objectives...............…………………………………………………….
Introduction................………………………………………………….
Equipment...............……………………………………………………
Experimental Procedures………………………………………………
Results and Calculations……………………………………………….
Graph…………………………………………………………………..
Graph Discussion………………………………………………………
Discussion………………………….…………………………………..
Sources of Errors……………………….………………………………
Conclusion……………………………….……………………………..
References……………………………………………………………….

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 Abstract

In this experiment, we learned the about origins of PV cells shading, the impact of shading on
PV cells and we learned how to minimize the shading effect using bypass diode.

EXPERIMENT 6

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Objectives
The goals of this experimented conducted during the lab is the following:
 Know the impact of PV shading
 Understand bypass diode to minimize the shading effects
 Learn the origins of PV shading

Experimental background

The performance of solar photovoltaic panels can be greatly influenced by shading. Although it
is obvious that the best solution is to avoid all shading, this is not always possible in practice due
to factors such as cloud, rain, and so on. However, many people are unaware that even if only a
small portion of a solar photovoltaic panel is shaded, the overall performance of the solar
photovoltaic panel will be significantly reduced.This is due to the fact that solar photovoltaic
panels are made up of a succession of solar photovoltaic cells that are linked together. This
means that if a single cell's power output is severely lowered, the power output of the entire
system in series is reduced to the current traveling through the weakest cell. As a result, even a
small amount of shade might affect the overall effectiveness of your solar photovoltaic panels
system. Partial shadowing on solar systems is one of the main reasons of energy generating
losses in photovoltaic systems.

Experimental Equipment
The following equipment’s were used during the lab session:

 PV panels
 Solar lamps
 DC load rheostat
 Eidbon system with skada interface

Experimental Procedure

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1. We conducted the experiment in the roof top. This experiment is to examine
the shading effect on the solar PV system.
2. We fixed the orientation and the tilt angle of the PV.
3. We connected the cables for the PV (red/black wire for the positive and
negative) in order to measure the voltage and current. We then connected the wire
to the protection junction box to the Profitest equipment and finally to the PC.
4. Turn on the Profitest equipment in order to set the data transfer.
5. We then performed the measurement under the following shading
conditions:
• No shading ( reference)
• 100% shading of 1 cell
• 50% shading of 1 cell.
• 100% shading of first and last cell.
• 100% shading of first and second cell.
6. We exported the data from the Profitest to excel where we save the data
obtained under the conditions listed above.
7. We conducted some calculations of the table provided below.
8. Note: try changing the tilt angle and orientation for the measurements
obtained.

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 Useful Data:

Formulas and useful data:

Isc= Imax

Voc= Vmax

PTheo=Isc×Voc

FF= (Pmax/PTheo)

Ƞ%= (Pmax/E×A) ×100%

Dimension= (66.5×63) cm

Pmax = (obtained from the graph)

Table 1 Series-connected PV modules shading summary.

Shading conditions
a b c d e
(reference) (100% ( 50% (100% (100% shading
shading shading shading of of first and
of 1 cell) of 1 cell) first and second cell)
last cell)
Isc, [A] 3.39 3.31 3.33 0.6 3.25
Voc, [V] 21.6 20.9 21.2 19.4 20.40
PTheo, = Isc x Voc [W] 73.224 69.179 70.596 11.64 66.30
Pmax, [W] 54.6 23.9 35.4 0.5 22.90
FF (Pmax/ PTheo)[%] 0.745 0.345 0.501 0.0429 0.345
Irradiance (W/m2) 909.32 905.04 908.34 898.24 885.57
As, [m2] 0.41895
η [%] 14.33 6.303 9.302 0.132 6.172

Sample Calculation:

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For b (100% shading of 1
cell)
Isc= 3.31A
Voc= 20.9V
Irradiance= 905.04 W/m²
As= (66.5×63) cm= 0.41895m²
PTheo= Isc×Voc= 3.31×20.9=
69.179 W
FF= (Pmax/PTheo) =
(20.9/69.179)= 0.345
Ƞ%=Pmax/E×A=
20.9/905.04×0.41895= 6.303%

Question 4: calculate the loss

percentage in Pmax for
shading conditions a/b/c/d/e,
using the non-shaded value
(a) as a reference. Explain
you results.
1. One cell 100% shaded
Pmax loss =
23.9−54.6 ‫׀‬
× 100 %=56.22%
54.6
2. One cell 50% shaded
35.4−54.6
Pmax loss =
54.6
×100%= 35.16%
3. First and last cell
100% shaded
Pmax loss =
0.5−54.6
×100 %=99.08 %
54.6

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 4. First and second cell
100% shaded
Pmax loss =
22.90−54.6
×100 %=58.05 %
54.6

Discussion:

Conclusion:

References: