Characterization of cell level degradation using a Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal active shading screen

Degradation can be characterized by cell level parameters using one or two diode models. However, estimating these parameters in deployed arrays is a challenge. This paper discuses an active shading method using a custom fabricated Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) screen integrated with an EKO-MP170 curve tracer. The parameter estimation method leverages asymptotic approximations and the Lambert-W function for rapid convergence. Details of the construction, testing and validation of the PDLC shader are provided and simulation of the algorithm and preliminary results are discussed.