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. 2021 Jun 22;21(13):4264.
doi: 10.3390/s21134264.

Irradiance Sensing through PV Devices: A Sensitivity Analysis

Antonino Laudani  1 , Gabriele Maria Lozito  1 , Francesco Riganti Fulginei  1
Affiliations

Irradiance Sensing through PV Devices: A Sensitivity Analysis

Antonino Laudani et al. Sensors (Basel). .

Abstract

In this work, a sensitivity analysis for the closed-form approach of irradiance sensing through photovoltaic devices is proposed. A lean expression to calculate irradiance on a photovoltaic device, given its operating point, temperature and equivalent circuit model, is proposed. On this expression, the sensitivity towards errors in the measurement of the photovoltaic device operating point and temperature is analyzed, determining optimal conditions to minimize sensitivity. The approach is studied for two scenarios, a stand-alone sensor and irradiance sensing on an operating power-producing photovoltaic device. A low-cost realization of a virtual sensor employing the closed form for monitoring performance of photovoltaic module is also presented, showing the advantage of this kind of simple solution. The proposed solution can be used to create a wireless sensor network for remote monitoring of a photovoltaic plant, assessing both electrical and environmental conditions of the devices in real time.

Keywords: monitoring; photovoltaics; sensitivity analysis; solar energy; solar irradiance.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Single diode circuit model for a PV device.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Irradiance as a function of voltage and current for different temperatures, where T4>T3>T2>T1.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Three-measurement approach for an operative PV device (a) and two-measurement approach for a stand-alone sensor (b).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Voltage sensitivity of the irradiance at different operating points (OP). (a) The three-measurement approach for STP315S-20. (b) The two-measurement approach for KXOB22-01X8L. (c) The three-measurement approach and (d) the two-measurement one for MSP1M210-18-6W.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Current (resistance) sensitivity of the irradiance at different operating points (OP). (a) The three-measurement approach for STP315S-20. (b) The two-measurement approach for KXOB22-01X8L. (c) The three-measurement approach and (d) the two-measurement one for MSP1M210-18-6W.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Temperature sensitivity of the irradiance at different operating points (OP). (a) The three-measurement approach for STP315S-20. (b) The two-measurement approach for KXOB22-01X8L. (c) The three-measurement approach and (d) the two-measurement one for MSP1M210-18-6W. In this case, (c,d) are very similar apart from the positions of the minima. Dashed lines represent negative sensitivities, full lines represent positive sensitivities.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Total sensitivity of the irradiance at different operating points (OP). (a) The three-measurement approach for STP315S-20. (b) The two-measurement approach for KXOB22-01X8L. (c) The three-measurement approach and (d) the two-measurement one for MSP1M210-18-6W.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Total sensitivity (vs. voltage) of the irradiance measured with the two-measurement approach (b) for different operating points.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Schematic representation of the smart panel sensor components and connection to a power-producing PV system to achieve the three-measurement approach.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Prototype for the smart panel sensor with main components highlighted.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Experimental validation workbench schematic representation.
Figure 12
Figure 12
Voltage–current relationship and voltage–power relationship for the simulated PV device used in the experimental validation. The following points define the curve: VOC=21.20 V, ISC=0.300 A, VMP=17.22 V, IMP=0.274 A.
Figure 13
Figure 13
Experimental workbench with highlighted instruments (a) and detail on the smart panel sensor connection (b).
Figure 14
Figure 14
Acquired measurements with the smart panel sensor (top) and relative percent error (bottom).
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