PV array Simulink PV Graphs

Using the PV array block in Simulink I have been able to graph PV and IV curves with varying irradiance OR varying temperature but not both, and the temperature cannot go negative either.

This shows the varying irradiance and the corresponding graphs

This shows with the varying temperature (positive only)

I need to be able to make graphs like these but with varying irradiance AND temperature as well as let the temperature go negative.

I have looked at the documentation and have not found an equation or code that is used to produce these graphs but I have found other codes similar but are slightly different therefore I cannot use them for sake of accuracy. Therefore my main question is is there a way to use this block in simulink to graph both varying irradiance and temperature or is there a code/equation that is used to produce these that I could use in normal MATLAB?

Answer 1

[MULI]

Hi @Micaela,

To plot PV characteristics with both varying irradiance and temperature simultaneously, you can use the following approaches:

Approach-1:

• Connect the 'PV Array' block to a "Controlled Voltage Source" and vary the voltage from the closed-circuit voltage to the open circuit voltage.
• Using the voltage and current values, you can plot the instantaneous power.
• To explore a similar example using Simscape Electrical Foundation blocks, enter the following in the MATLAB command window:

openExample('simscapeelectrical/SolarPVDCWithBatteryExample')

Approach-2:

• You can use "Solar Cell" block in Simulink. From MATLAB R2024b, you can now generate a digital datasheet for the "Solar Cell" block using a MATLAB live script.
• This script imports parameters directly from the selected "Solar Cell" block in your model and generates current-voltage (I-V) and power-voltage (P-V) curves.
• You can modify the irradiance and temperature values accordingly to generate the characteristics. For more information on this you can refer to below documenation link: htps://www.mathworks.com/help/sps/ref/solarcell.html