Modeling and Analysis of Environmental Effects on Photovoltaic Cell Characteristics Using MATLAB
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37375/susj.v16i1.4153Keywords:
photovoltaic cell, solar irradiance, temperature, atmospheric turbidity, MATLABAbstract
This work analyzes the operational dynamics of a photovoltaic module under varying weather conditions. It specifically emphasizes the joint effects of ambient temperature, solar irradiance, and atmospheric turbidity on the overall electrical performance. Numerical simulations were performed to obtain the electrical behavior, specifically the I–V and P–V output curves, which were examined under diverse operating points, including temperatures from 0°C to 75°C and insolation levels from 400W/m² to 1000W/m². Furthermore, atmospheric turbidity was incorporated into the model to evaluate its attenuation influence on the incident spectral irradiance reaching the PV module. The results indicate that, when evaluated under the reference environment of standard test conditions (STC: 25°C, 1000W/m²), PV module achieves a maximum output power (Pmax of approximately 105W). While the short-circuit current and maximum power generation are markedly amplified when solar irradiance scales from 400 W/m² to 1000 W/m², the open-circuit voltage remains relatively stable, showing only marginal fluctuations. In contrast, when the operating thermal conditions scale from 0°C up to 75°C, a noticeable degradation in performance occurs, reducing Pmax to approximately 80W as a result of the decreased output voltage. Moreover, atmospheric turbidity was found to adversely affect the PV performance by attenuating the incident solar radiation, resulting in reduction in the maximum power output under identical irradiance conditions. Overall, the obtained results confirm that temperature mainly affects the voltage characteristics of the PV module, whereas atmospheric turbidity substantially decreases the generated current due to solar radiation attenuation. These outcomes provide useful guidance for the optimization and reliable deployment of photovoltaic systems in dusty and aerosol-rich environments.
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