Matlab/Simulink model of photovoltaic modules/strings under uneven distribution of irradiance and temperature

Quite often PV modules operate in mismatch conditions, that are caused by: technology, design, installation and operative conditions. As far as the operative conditions are concerned, shading mainly causes uneven distribution of irradiance on PV cells, in turn shading creates not uniform distribution of temperature on the PV modules. There are also situation where the uneven distribution of temperature is a design input such as in the solar hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system. In this context a Matlab/Simulink model of a PV array able to cope with these problems has been developed. The model has been tested both numerically and experimentally. Finally an application of this tool to the analysis of a PV/T system is reported and discussed. The evaluation of power losses is used to choose an optimal design of a PV/T system.