Photovoltaic Cell/Panel/Array Characterizations and Modeling Considering Both Reverse and Direct Modes

In this paper, we present a generalized physical model used for simulation of photovoltaic (PV) cells, panels and arrays taking into account the direct and the reverse modes. This model is useful for power electronic systems. This model named Direct-Reverse Model is simple, fast, accurate and can help designers to study industrial systems. It is based on the basic two diodes model representing a PV cell/panel/array. It allows the investigation of the I-V and P-V characteristics at different situations such as mismatches due to the partial or global shaded PV cell at various environmental conditions by changes in PV cell surface temperature and/or solar radiation. Also the effect of the by-pass diode protection and its contributions to reduce the magnitude of the hot spots heating in a shaded PV cell are analysed. A set of experimentations on the behaviour of solar cells and solar panels have been made to validate our physical model.