Traceable Time-Domain Photovoltaic Module Modeling with Plane-of-Array Irradiance and Solar Geometry Coupling: White-Box Simulink Implementation and Experimental Validation

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Authors: Ciprian Popa, Florențiu Deliu, Adrian Popa, Narcis Octavian Volintiru, Andrei Darius Deliu, Iancu Ciocioi, Petrică Popov
Cited by: 3
References: 50

Abstract

Accurate time-domain photovoltaic (PV) models are needed to evaluate performance under outdoor variability beyond STC datasheet conditions. This paper presents a traceable modeling workflow based on the standard single-diode formulation, implemented in MATLAB/Simulink (R2023a) as a modular white-box architecture that explicitly resolves photocurrent generation and loss mechanisms (diode recombination, shunt leakage, and series resistance effects) with temperature-consistent propagation through VT(T) and saturation-current terms. The method couples optical boundary conditions to the electrical model by embedding plane-of-array (POA) excitation via the incidence angle θ(t) and roof albedo directly into the photocurrent source term, preserving the causal chain from mounting geometry to electrical response. Calibration is separated from prediction by initializing key parameters using the standard Simulink PV block and then freezing them for time-domain evaluation. The workflow is validated on a 395 W rooftop prototype using 1 min resolved POA irradiance (ISO 9060:2018 Class A radiometric chain) and module temperature (IEC 60751 Class A Pt100), synchronized with electrical measurements. Over a multi-week campaign, the model exhibits high fidelity, with a worst-case relative current error of ~1.1% and a consistently low bias and dispersion, quantified by ME, MAE, RMSE, σe, and thresholded MAPE.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Photovoltaic System Optimization Techniques Solar Radiation and Photovoltaics Photovoltaic Systems and Sustainability

Publication details

Journal / source
Energies
Publisher
MDPI AG
Volume
19
Issue
6
Pages
1437–1437
Publication date
12 March 2026
Language
EN