Analysis characteristics of photovoltaic arrays using simulation

Photovoltaic array simulations can be used to find better methods to implement maximum power point tracking(MPPT) control for efficient solar power systems.An accurate and practical model for photovoltaic arrays was developed using simulink blocks for the photovoltaic cell mechanisms.The model can simulate both the P-U and I-U characteristics of photovoltaic arrays for any insolation level and ambient temperature.The near linearity of the dP/dU versus I were illustrated by the simulations and then proved theoretically.The photovoltaic model is quite simple and fast.Simulations and measurements on a 300 W photovoltaic array show that the model is versatile and accurate and can be used to analyze photovoltaic array characteristics.