Monte Carlo techniques to analyse the electrical mismatch losses in large-scale photovoltaic generators

Abstract In large-scale photovoltaic generators, the arrangement of modules with different electrical characteristics could involve a considerable mismatch between the single components resulting in a power loss. This means the actual power is less than the sum of the maximum output powers of the individual PV modules, operating at same irradiance–temperature conditions. To reduce the mismatch losses and to calculate it under operating conditions, a statistical approach based on Monte Carlo simulation techniques, has been developed and validated. The simulation model shows that it is possible to meet the required mismatch level, with a random arrangement, starting from a modules population characterized in terms of short circuit current, I sc and open circuit voltage V oc , by a probability density function with a imposed variance. The method has been successfully applied for a 100 kWp standard unit photovoltaic generator, the computational results have shown good agreement with the experimental data.