Analysis of shadowing effect on photovoltaic panels on parallel vertical distribution

Abstract

[EN] The project consists of analysing the efficiency of photovoltaic plants with vertical distribution, where panels are placed directly above each other at a certain distance. The objective of this type of installation is optimizing space to provide power for domestic buildings and small industries that need to confine the complex into smaller spaces.

The project proposes a generalist model to determine the energetic loses associated with the shadowing produced by the upper panels. This method allows the designer to calculate the situation of a particular installation depending on the distance between panel planes only by providing the location and dimensions of the power plant and applying the methodology to programming environment as the one exemplified.

In the project, the model is applied to the case of Wroclaw to illustrate the procedure for two tilted parallel panels to verify the model's correct operation. The results obtained enlighten the critical influence of the vertical distance between panels, applying a 20% reduction of power for simple panels for shorter distances, and foreseeing higher reductions for more complex installations.