Non-Planar Photovoltaic Testbed Based on in-situ Parameter Extraction for PV Simulation & Emulation

Non-planar photovoltaic modules (NP-PV) is an emerging field with a variety of benefits to many applications. NP-PV blend in smoothly into different architectural features without disrupting the aesthetics of a building. Challenges with NP-PV include partial shading effects from neighboring objects, and current mismatch between neighboring PV cells due to the PV curvature. One mitigation technique is to optimize the interconnections between the PV elements to yield the highest energy harvest by finding the homogeneous cells. This paper presents results from an experimental study using a new experimental testbed that was developed to extract PV parameters in-situ. The experimental testbed is flexible, scalable, and suitable for the research and development of non-planar PV applications. The contribution of this paper is illustrating a framework to study PV interconnections and characterize PV parameters for non-planar PV systems using an in-situ experimental testbed. Results obtained from the presented testbed include factors like cell aging, partial shading, and temperature effects, which are not accounted for in manufacturer datasheets.