ANALYSIS OF SHADING PATTERN OF SOLAR PANELS

Gargi Sarkar, Kanchan Bakade

Abstract: Abstract –The shading pattern of a Solar Panel if analyzed helps to improve the performance of a Solar panel. Shades on top of a Solar Panel are one of the major factors which causes disturbance on a solar panel. This paper helps analyze the shading on a solar panel which is caused by steady clouds. This may help to increase the efficiency of a solar panel. Various methods of Image processing technique is used to get the desired output. Those methods include techniques like median filtering and various morphological functions like usage of structuring element which gives the desired output. The problem of Boundary Estimation of a shading patter on a solar panel is addressed. Short-time shading and lightning is not at all useful for solar power plant. If the solar panel is shaded then proper measures have to be taken to keep the efficiency intact else there would be a serious loss in the amount of current generated with the help of a solar panel. Here the pixel values are measured and thus the exact numbers of dark and bright pixels are calculated and even the pixel values are reconfigurated to get the correct boundary estimation. The bypass diode is used to bypass the shaded area on the panel, which in turn helps to increase the efficiency of a solar panel by a significant amount. This method takes care of processing all kinds of shade on the solar panel from whatever source the shade is generated from.This concept can be taken further to analyse the various other parameters for effective operation.

Keywords: Cloud; Solar power plant; Partial shading; Image processing; Efficiency; Bypass diode

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2014.0302105