Publication: Analysis of shadowing losses in conventional and half-cell photovoltaics solar modules
Date
2023-07
Authors
Rudy Ameerul Zulkarnaen bin Zaidi
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Abstract
This study aims to analyse the shadowing losses in conventional and half-cell photovoltaic solar modules and compare their energy output. The impact of shadowing was investigated under various conditions that are set up such as different shading patterns, shading intensities. Subsequently, this research will be able to determine the reliability of the new technology of solar module with different shading losses. The half-cell module has significantly attracted attention due to its lower conduction losses as compared to conventional modules topology resulting in a slightly higher efficiency. The results showed that the half-cell solar module exhibited lower shadowing losses than the conventional module. Additionally, the half-cell solar module had a higher efficiency than the conventional module, particularly under low irradiance levels. This research provides valuable insights into the optimization of solar module designs to improve their performance and efficiency in real-world conditions. Results for all shadowing conditions shows that the half-cell solar module came out as having lesser
output current reduction when compared to the conventional solar module. The difference between each shadowing condition is a by large margin on the half-cell module performance being better. The half-cell module has a difference in losses by an average of 0.704% when compared to the full cell module under the randomize coin placement shadow condition. While having the difference of 0.11% in decrease of losses under the stacked coin placement small object losses condition. The half-cell module again takes the upper hand in the blackout shadowing losses. The maximum loss recorded was 50.26% as compared to full cell being at maximum of 93.29% which is a reduction of 46.13%. The half-cell again takes the spot for partial shadowing. The maximum loss recorded was 40.47% as compared to full cell being at maximum of 76.67% which is a reduction of 47.21%.