International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 5, Issue 6, June-2014 671

ISSN 2229-5518

Different methods of modeling a photovoltaic cell

using Matlab / Simulink / Simscape
Mehimmedetsi Boujemaa Chenni Rachid
Laboratoire Laboratoire
d’électrotechnique d’électrotechnique MoDERNa
MoDERNa University of Constantine
University of Constantine Constantine, Algeria
Constantine, Algeria [email protected]
[email protected]

Abstract-The objective of this work consists on studying various models that exist in literature for modeling solar cells. Our effort is
focused on modeling PV array Implemented in the Matlab / Simulink environment using the Toolbox Simscape / SimElectronics.

Keywords: photovoltaic;Simscape;SimElectronics; SimPowerSystems; different model.

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I. INTRODUCTION as a set of connected identical cells in series-parallel is
Renewable energy offer new solutions to energy demand which commonly used Fig. (1a).
continues to grow and can bring new forms of energy; they are, The equivalent circuit of the general model, which consists of a
until now, additional sources of energy. current source, a diode, a parallel resistance due to leakage
Renewable include a number of technological fields according to currents and a series resistance describing an internal resistance
the source of energy used and of the energy obtained. The study when the current flows Fig. 1a. [2].
sector in this paper is solar photovoltaic. Photovoltaic energy
can be considered as the most attractive among the other types of Rs Rs
renewable energy, it has many advantages such as:
+ +
− Solar energy is everywhere, clean, free and silent. Ic Ic
− A modular power installed as required. IPH D Rsh VC IPH D1 D2 Rsh VC

− A decentralized operation without network. - -

− No fuel, no greenhouse gas emissions, minimal (a) General model (b) Two diode model
maintenance, a long lifetime of PV generators (nearly Rs
20 years). +
− It produces electricity directly, high energy value, so we Ic Ic +
can count on its performance. IPH D VC IPH D VC
− It can be applied either for supplying a mobile phone or
- -
as a part of a 500 kW power plant.
(c) Appropriate model (d) Simplified model
A solar cell generates electrical energy by direct conversion
of solar radiation to direct current by use of semiconductor
materials made of monocrystalline, polycrystalline or
Fig.1. Different model of the PV generator
amorphous silicon [1].

II. SOLAR GENERATOR MODELING The electrical energy produced by a solar cell depends on the
The scientific community offers several models to model the PV illumination it receives on its surface; the voltage-current
generator. The standard model with one diode for a single cell, characteristic equation of a solar cell is given by the application
we generalize then the model to a PV module by considering it of the first Kirchhoff's law, so we write:

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 International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 5, Issue 6, June-2014 672
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I g = I ph − I D − I sh 3
 Tc n  qegap  1 1 
  q (V g + R S I g )   (V g + RS I g )
= (1) I s I s ,ref 
 Tc, ref
 exp 

 −   (7)
 Tc, ref Tc  
= I ph − I 0  exp   − 1 −    nk  
  nkTC   R Sh
   
Isc
I s,ref = (8)
  Voc  
For a photovoltaic generator consists of series Ns and parallel  exp  q  − 1
  nkTref  
cells Np cells (1) becomes [2] [3]:    

   Vg I   Vg I 
  q  + RS g   + RS g  I s,ref : current of reverse saturation at the reference temperature.
 
I g N P  I ph − I 0  exp   S   − 1 − N S
N N NP
= P
 e gap the width of the band-gap of the semiconductor material, for
 nkTC   R sh
      the silicon, it is equal to 1.11 eV
   
      The temperature of the cell is calculated by:
(2) G
V g , I g : Voltage [V] and current [A] panel output. Tc =
Ta + ( NOCT − 20 ) (9)
800
Iph: Photocurrent in [A].
R s series resistance, R sh shunt resistance in ohms. T a : Ambient temperature in ° C.
q the electron charge q = 1.602.10 -19 coulomb. NOCT the nominal operating cell temperature in ° C.
k Boltzmann's constant k = 1.381.10-23 J / K.
n quality factor of the diode, between 1 and 2. The two diodes model is widely used when we want more
The shunt resistance Rsh is considerably high, the current Ish precision where the equivalent circuit is shown in Fig. 1-b. [4]
[5]

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tends to zero the above equation becomes [Fig. 1-c]
  q (Vg + RS I g )   The characteristic I (V) is done by:
I g = I ph − I D = I ph − I s  exp   − 1 (3)
  nkTC  
    I g = I PH − I D1 − I D 2 − I Rh =
For an ideal cell Fig.1.d Rsh and Rs can be neglected. (3) can be
simplified to [3]: I PH − I s 
(
 q Vg + RS I g  ) (
 q Vg + RS I g
− 1 − I s 2 
) (
 Vg + RS I g
− 1 −
)
 nkTC   n2 kTC  RSh
   
  qVg  
I g = I ph − I D = I ph − I s  exp   − 1 (4) (10)
  nkTC  

For many cells the equation (4) becomes: I s and I s2 are the current of reverse saturation of the diode 1 and
diode 2. n is the quality factor (diode’s emitting coefficient) of
the first diode. n 2 is the quality factor of the second diode. The
   qVg   equation of the PV generator with N s cells in series and Np cells
Ig =
N P  I ph − I s  exp   − 1  (5) in parallel:
  N S nkTC  
 
 V g Ig    V g Ig  
q + RS   q + RS  
The current source depends mainly on the radiation and the   N s Np  
 −1 − N I  Ns
 N p
 
 −1
operating temperature of the cell, which is described as follows =
I g N p I PH − N pIs   p s2 
 nkTC   n 2 kTC 
[6] [8]:    
   
I PH =
G 
Gref 
( )
I sc + µ I ,SC Tc − Tc,ref 

(6) V g
Np
Ns
+ RS
Ig 


 N 
(11)
p
−
R Sh
Isc represents the short-circuit current of the cell at 25 ° C and
1kW/m2.

µ I ,SC Temperature coefficient of the cell short circuited, T c, ref is

the reference temperature of the cell, and G is the solar radiation III. IMPLENTATION OF THE PHOTOVOLTAIC
in W/m2, in other hand the saturation current varies with the GENERATOR IN SIMULINK
temperature of the cell, it is described as follows:
Several studies exist to model the PV generator under Matlab /
Simulink environment. the resolution of the mathematical
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International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 5, Issue 6, June-2014 673
ISSN 2229-5518
equation of the PV generator requires the use of numerical
methods for the equation I pv = f (U PV ) which is nonlinear and
dependent on solar illumination.
A. Model using the "MATLAB function" under Simulink
environment
This method includes the MATLAB program written in “.m” in
MATLAB function. The program is compiled in C language and
then run. [4], [6].

Fig.4. Model of a PV cell in the Simulink / SimPowerSystems

C. Model using the simulink block in the environment Simscape

/ SimElectronics:
This method utilize physical components in simscape
This block is a black box with a hidden code, we put preselected
panel settings. [9]
The block can has 3 settings:
Fig.2. Solar Cell Model in Matlab / Simulink “Embedded MATLAB Function” - 5 parameters:I SC ,V OC ,I R0 ,n, R S
- 5 parameters: I S ,I PH0 , I R0 ,n, R S
B. Model developed in Simulink environment / - 8 parameters: I S , I S2 , I PH0 , I R0 ,n, n 2 ,R S , R sh
SimPowerSystems.[7]

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This method uses the biblioteque SimPowerSystems /
Simulink, a photovoltaic array is made up of a group of PV
module, we can implanted the PV array (Fig.3) or
implanted one solar cell (Fig.4) then generalize the PV
module and then PV array.

Fig.5. block of a PV cell under Simscape / environment SimElectronics

Fig.6. PV Cell modeling in Simscape SimElectronics environment

Fig.3. Model of a PV Array in the Simulink / SimPowerSystems. From the block Simscape for a unit cell, we can build a
Photovoltaic Module.
The blocks are composed of six solar cells connected in series.
Our module consists of 36 cells, so we have 6 blocks of 6 cells.
The short-circuit current of the module is equal to the short
circuit in each cell.
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International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 5, Issue 6, June-2014 674
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The open circuit voltage of each block is obtained by dividing
the open circuit voltage of the module by the number of block
circuit.
The series resistance of each block is obtained by dividing the
series resistance of the module by the number of block.

Fig.9. Equivalent circuit of a cell in Simscape / SimElectronics environment

Fig.7. connection of 6 cells in series with Simscape Fig.10. Modeling of the PV cell under the environment Simscape /
SimElectronics with a variable resistor

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Fig.8.Building the Photovoltaic module (36 cells) Fig.11. Example of two cells in series connection with SimElectronics

D .Model using physical elements

The modeling of the cell with a variable resistor as load [Fig.7]
This model is developed from physical elements using Simscape provide features I pv =f (U pv ) and I pv =f (power). [10].
/ SimElectronics. The circuit contains (a current source, two
resistors and a diode); the equivalent circuit diagram of the solar
cell is represented by the following circuit [5].

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E.Model using bloc function in Simulink

Fig.14. Masked block PV array

Fig.12. configurations of PV array

This method was developed to the PV Array generator from the

library simulink especially the block function.

The modules in a PV system are typically connected in arrays.

(Fig.9) illustrates the case of an array with M P parallel branches
each with M S modules in series.
The equation for a PV module can be expressed by using the
one-diode PV cell model as follows: N s = number of cells in

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series and N p = number of cells parallel. [12].
Fig.15. Calcul block current and temperature (Tc) of the PV
Array
VPVM = N SVPVC

I PVM = N S I PVC
Where M designates a PV module and C designate a PV cell. PV
modules are coupled together form a PV array. The equation for
a PV array can be expressed by adapting the PV module’s
equation as follows:
VPVA = M S N SVPVC
I PVA = M P N P I PVC

M s is PV module series and M p is PV module parallel. Fig.16. calaculation of diode current Id

By using general model fig.1 and applied equations. (3), (6), (7), E. Model using experimental data
(8), (9) and (10) we have established different block of the PV
In the following model, we use from experimental data we can
generator in SimPowerSystems/ Simulink.
build the PV panel using 2D Lookup Table from simulink in
simulation.
The model has two inputs irradiance and current, the output is
the voltage. Correcting the temperature affects the voltage that is
fed to the output of the voltage; in that case we can utilize
ToolBox the Surface Fitting Tool (cftool).

Fig.13. Implementation the PV array in the SimPowerSystems/Simulink

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B. The influence of temperature on the operation of a PV cell
The electrical characteristic of a PV cell depends on the
temperature of the junction at exposed surface. The behavior of
the PV cell based on the temperature is complex. The curves
show the variation of current and voltage as a function of cell
junction temperature. When the temperature increases, the
voltage decreases as the current increases.
In case of silicon cells, the current increases about 0.025 mA /
cm2.°C, while the voltage decreases by 2.2 mV / ° C. The overall
power reduction is about 0.4% per degree ° C. Thus, as the
temperature increases the cell is less effective [11].
U(I)
Fig.17. Building Simulink Blocks of a PV panel 5

IV. RESULTS 4

-5 °C

Current , A
A. The influence of solar radiation on the operation of a 3 0 °C
25 °C
photovoltaic cell
2 50 °C
The following figure shows the current-voltage characteristic of
75 °C
a solar PV cell depending on the illumination at a constant 1
temperature and velocity of the air. We note that the voltage

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corresponding to the maximum power varies slightly with the 0
0 5 10 15 20 25
light, unlike the current, which increases sharply. Voltage

Characteristic I(U), A
5
Fig.20. I (V) characteristic for different temperatures(1000 W/m^2)
1000 W/m2 Power,W
4

800 W/m2 60
3
600 W/m2
50 -5 °C
2 0 °C
400 W/m2
40
Power

1 200 W/m2
30 25 °C

0 50 °C
0 5 10 15 20 25 20
Voltage
75 °C
10

Fig.18. Characteristic I = f (voltage) for different illuminations

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Power, W Voltage

60
2
1000 W/m Fig.21. Power (V) characteristic for different temperatures (1000 W/m^2)
50
800 W/m2 V. CONCLUSION
40
2
600 W/m
30
2
The aim of this work is to develop different models for a
400 W/m
20 photovoltaic cell and mention some methods used in the
2
200 W/m literature to solve the equation I pv =f(U pv ) under Matlab /
10
Simulink and the Simscape / SimElectronics Toolbox .
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Voltage ,V REFERENCES
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Distribution System Studies, Faculty of Drexel University Master of
Science in Electrical Engineering, October 2006.

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ISSN 2229-5518
[3] H.Tsai, C. Tu, and Y. Su, Development of generalized photovoltaic model
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NOTES: CHARACTERISTICS OF A SOLAR
GENERATOR (MSX60)

Parameter value
Maximum power 60 Watt
Voltage at point of maximum power 17.1V
maximum power current 3.55A
Short-circuit current 3.87A
Open circuit voltage. 21.1 V

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