PVSIM/sub C/: a simulation program for photovoltaic cells, modules, and arrays

An electrical simulation model for photovoltaic cells, modules and arrays has been developed that will be useful to a wide range of analysts in the photovoltaic industry. The Microsoft(R) Windows/sup TM/ based program can be used to analyze individual cells, to analyze the effects of cell mismatch or reverse bias ("hot spot") heating in modules, and to analyze the performance of large arrays of modules including bypass and blocking diodes. User defined statistical variance can be applied to the fundamental parameters used to simulate the cells and diodes. The model is most appropriate for cells that can be accurately modeled using a two-diode equivalent circuit. This paper describes the simulation program and illustrates its versatility with examples.