Predicting shading of photovoltaic systems with cell-level resolution

This paper presents a new model for predicting shading of a photovoltaic (PV) system with spatial resolution at the cell-level. The model´s method is described, particularly its use of a single panoramic image and a spatial transform. This paper discusses the model´s benefits - ease-of-use and realistic, high resolution output data - as well as the model´s limitations. And finally an application of the model is demonstrated with two PV simulations with different power electronic architectures. This application shows the potential value of using the model to further the current research on designing and evaluating electrical power architectures for partially shaded PV systems.