Measurement-Based Nonlinear SPICE-Compatible Photovoltaic Models for Simulating the Effects of Surges and Electromagnetic Interference within Installations

Kurt Michael Coetzer, Arnold Johan Rix () and Pieter Gideon Wiid
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Kurt Michael Coetzer: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
Arnold Johan Rix: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
Pieter Gideon Wiid: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 21, 1-36

Abstract: An emerging area of interest within photovoltaic (PV) centred research is the simulation of the propagation of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and surges within PV installations. An overarching constraint in all simulation-based research is the accuracy of the models employed. In general, for PV-focussed simulations, nonlinear models are utilised for direct current (DC) analyses, whilst linearised models are employed for analyses involving surges or conducted electromagnetic interference. For large-signal electromagnetic interference and surges, the following two problems arise: (1) the aforementioned linearisation is only valid for the small-signal case, and (2) as they are constructed using only DC measurements, traditional large-signal PV models are generally only valid for DC conditions. Therefore, neither of these approaches can properly represent real-world PV behaviour under dynamic conditions. To overcome this limitation, this article proposes a more suitable model, compatible with Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis (SPICE), and which results from the combination of two sub-models: one for large-signal DC cases, and one for small-signal alternating current (AC) cases. Consequently, the combined model enables improved modelling of the effects of large-signal transient perturbations to be performed, as well as cases involving small-signal AC and large-signal DC perturbations. The model parameters are extracted using data from two different classes of measurement setups: the first utilised a vector network analyser (VNA) to produce small-signal AC impedance results (covering a frequency range between 1 Hz and 50 MHz), and the second produces DC current-voltage curves. Both classes of measurement setup consider the device under test at multiple operating points. Key results include: (1) an improved SPICE-compatible PV model which caters for large-signal transient simulations, as well as for small-signal AC and large-signal DC cases, (2) improvements in the modelling of reverse bias behaviour when compared to the standard SPICE diode implementation, (3) the correct implementation of a voltage-dependent total capacitance (suitable for large-signal simulations), (4) modelling parameters for both a small (10 W) and a large (310 W) PV module, (5) measurement results which de-embedded the parasitic effects of the test setups employed, and (6) above 1 MHz, the physical layouts of the cells within the PV modules begin to influence the observed impedances.

Keywords: electromagnetic; interference; compatibility; lightning; surge; simulation; transient; photovoltaic (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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