A Comprehensive Study of Module Layouts for Silicon Solar Cells Under Partial Shading

Abstract

Integrated applications for solar energy production becomes increasingly important. The electrification of car bodies and building facades are only two prominent examples. In such applications shading becomes a challenging problem, since the classic serial interconnection of solar cells in terms of power output is highly vulnerable to partial shading. In this article, we investigate the three most common module layouts in the market (conventional, butterfly, and shingle string) and add a fourth layout (shingle matrix) to be introduced to the market in the future. We discuss an approach to cluster shadings occurring in urban surroundings into basic shapes like "rectangular" and "random". Choosing a Monte Carlo technique in combination with latin hypercube sampling (LHS), we consider more than 3000 scenarios in total. For the evaluation of the scenarios, we conduct circuit simulations using LTspice. Furthermore, we define a normalization base, which considers only partial shading as a quantitative baseline for comparison. Our results show, that already for 200-400 scenarios the obtained output values stabilize. Among the investigated module layouts, the shingle matrix interconnection achieves the highest score, followed by a shingle string, half-cell butterfly and the conventional full-cell layout.

Outdoor measurements of a full‐size bifacial Pero/Si tandem module under different spectral conditions

“…The module consists of 60 cells and is divided into two parallel connected strings with 30 cells in series, a module layout typically used for half-cut cells. 27 This interconnection concept doubles the current of the module while it bisects the voltage. Due to the tandem architecture with two series-connected subcells, this results in current and voltage values which are close to the ones a silicon single-junction module of the same size would provide.…”

“…The investigated module is a prototype manufactured within a cooperation between Oxford PV and Fraunhofer ISE using M4 (161.7 cm 2 ) Pero/Si tandem solar cells. The module consists of 60 cells and is divided into two parallel connected strings with 30 cells in series, a module layout typically used for half‐cut cells 27 . This interconnection concept doubles the current of the module while it bisects the voltage.…”

Power Conditioner Efficiencies and Annual Performance Analyses with Partially Shaded Photovoltaic Generators Using Indoor Measurements and Shading Simulations

“…In detail, the effects of partial shading for various module technologies (e.g., conventional, butterfly, shingle matrix) was analyzed, whereas the shading scenario was defined by a combination of a rectangular shade and several randomized shading clusters. [ 12 ] Consequently, it displays the difficulty of defining common shading scenarios, but shows that certain module technologies (e.g., shingle‐type modules) perform on average significantly better in partially shaded conditions than others (e.g., conventional modules). Finally, on the topic of shading of PV systems, a publication focuses on the effects of shading due to soiling, whereby the significance of the environmental conditions in the location of a PV plant is underlined.…”

How to assess the electrical quality of solar cell interconnection in shingle solar modules

“…Within the last years, solar modules containing stripe-like solar cells interconnected by the usage of an electrically conductive adhesive (ECA) have become very popular. In photovoltaic community, such modules are called shingle solar modules and are known for their attractive appearance, their outstanding shading resilience, 3 and their unique potential for high module power densities. [4][5][6][7][8][9] The market share of shingle modules is expected to reach 10% within the next 7 to 10 years.…”