Performance Assessment of Partially Shaded PV Modules With Microcracks

Photovoltaic (PV) panels, generating electricity from sunlight usually have efficiency around sixteen percent under the most optimum conditions. This efficiency rate decreases even more due to the effects of temperature, radiation, dusting, weather conditions etc. In addition, micron-level fractures may occur in PV panel cells due to mechanical factors and temperature changes over time, which further reduces the panel efficiencies. In this study, performance characteristics of twenty panel modules, each having rated power of two hundred seventy five watts, were examined with respect to various parameters including shading effect, temperature, and radiation analysed comparatively. In addition, it was detected that there were micron level fractures in a few panels. The system performance was observed before and after the cracked panels were replaced, and the findings were discussed comparatively.