Relationship between the shading position and the output power of a photovoltaic panel

This paper presents a research about the harmful effects of partial shading on a photovoltaic panel. The analysis begins with the study of the electrical model of the solar cell and is extended to the module and the photovoltaic panel. The computational evaluations determine the relationship between the position of shade on the photovoltaic array and its electrical efficiency. An experimental photovoltaic panel is built and tested for various situations of shading. The experimental results were consistent with computational predictions.