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- Title
Vector-Based Advanced Computation for Photovoltaic Devices and Arrays: Numerical Reproduction of Unusual Behaviors of Curved Photovoltaic Devices.
- Authors
Araki, Kenji; Ota, Yasuyuki; Nishioka, Kensuke
- Abstract
Featured Application: It is helpful to accurately model any photovoltaic device regardless of whether a single solar cell, module (solar panel), or array of PV modules can be applied if the overall shape (including envelopes) is nonplanar, such as vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (VIPVs), agriphotovoltaics, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs), aircraft PVs, and wavy PV arrays installed on wavy land (mountains, gorges, etc.). Most equations and models for photovoltaics are based on the assumption that photovoltaic (PV) devices are flat. Therefore, the actual performance of nonplanar PV devices should be investigated and developed. In this study, two algorithms were developed and defined using vector computations to describe a curved surface based on differential geometry and the interaction with non-uniform solar irradiance (i.e., non-uniform shading distribution in the sky). To validate the computational model, the power output from a commercial curved solar panel for the Toyota Prius 40 series was monitored at four orientation angles and in various climates. Then, these were compared with the calculation results obtained using the developed algorithm. The conventional calculation used for flat PV devices showed an overestimated performance due to ignorance of inherent errors due to curved surfaces. However, the new algorithms matched the measured trends, particularly on clear-sky days. The validated computation method for curved PV devices is advantageous for vehicle-integrated photovoltaic devices and PVs including building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs), drones, and agriphotovoltaics.
- Subjects
CURVED surfaces; SOLAR panels; DIFFERENTIAL geometry; SOLAR cells; PHOTOVOLTAIC power generation; MAXIMUM power point trackers; REPRODUCTION; PHOTOVOLTAIC power systems
- Publication
Applied Sciences (2076-3417), 2024, Vol 14, Issue 11, p4855
- ISSN
2076-3417
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/app14114855