Measuring PV system series resistance without full IV curves

We present a method for measuring the series resistance of the PV module, string, or array that does not require measuring a full IV curve or meteorological data. Our method relies only on measurements of open circuit voltage and maximum power voltage and current, which can be readily obtained using...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Stein, Joshua S., McCaslin, Shawn, Hansen, Clifford W., Boyson, William E., Robinson, Charles D.
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
Arrays
condition monitoring
Current measurement
Electrical resistance measurement
Monitoring
photovoltaic cells
Power measurement
predictive models
Resistance
series resistance
Temperature measurement
Online Access:Request full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We present a method for measuring the series resistance of the PV module, string, or array that does not require measuring a full IV curve or meteorological data. Our method relies only on measurements of open circuit voltage and maximum power voltage and current, which can be readily obtained using standard PV monitoring equipment; measured short circuit current is not required. We validate the technique by adding fixed resistors to a PV circuit and demonstrating that the method can predict the added resistance. Relative prediction accuracy appears highest for smaller changes in resistance, with a systematic underestimation at larger resistances. Series resistance is shown to vary with irradiance levels with random errors below 1.5% standard deviation.
ISSN:0160-8371
DOI:10.1109/PVSC.2014.6925326