Jiang, X., & Davishahl, J., & Hickenbottom, D., & Saunders, D., & Thornton, T. (2019, June), Photovoltaic System Performance Under Partial Shading: An Undergraduate Research Experience  Paper presented at 2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Tampa, Florida. 10.18260/1-2--33169

\bibitem{asee_peer_33169}
  Jiang, X., \& Davishahl, J., \& Hickenbottom, D., \& Saunders, D., \& Thornton, T. (2019, June), \emph{Photovoltaic System Performance Under Partial Shading: An Undergraduate Research Experience}
  Paper presented at 2019 ASEE Annual Conference \& Exposition , Tampa, Florida.
  10.18260/1-2--33169

Xichen Jiang, Jill Davishahl, Dana Hickenbottom, Daniel Saunders, and Troy Thornton.  "Photovoltaic System Performance Under Partial Shading: An Undergraduate Research Experience".  2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Tampa, Florida, 2019, June.  ASEE Conferences, 2019.  https://peer.asee.org/33169 Internet.  15 Dec, 2024

\bibitem{asee_peer_33169}
  Xichen Jiang, Jill Davishahl, Dana Hickenbottom, Daniel Saunders, and Troy Thornton.
  "Photovoltaic System Performance Under Partial Shading: An Undergraduate Research Experience".
  \emph{2019 ASEE Annual Conference \& Exposition , Tampa, Florida, 2019, June}.
  ASEE Conferences, 2019.
  https://peer.asee.org/33169 Internet.  15 Dec, 2024

@INPROCEEDINGS{asee_peer_33169
author = "Xichen Jiang, Jill Davishahl, Dana Hickenbottom, Daniel Saunders, and Troy Thornton"
title = "Photovoltaic System Performance Under Partial Shading: An Undergraduate Research Experience"
booktitle = "2019 ASEE Annual Conference \& Exposition "
year = "2019"
month = "June"
address = "Tampa, Florida"
publisher = "ASEE Conferences"
note = {https://peer.asee.org/33169}
number = {10.18260/1-2--33169}
}

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - This paper presents the results of a study on the performance of various inverter technologies for commercial photovoltaic systems when subjected to different shading and soiling conditions. The conditions included both sunny and cloudy days as a control group, as well as four different shading setups designed to simulate realistic conditions such as cloud cover, soiling, and shadows. Voltage, current, and power measurements were taken using independent eGauge sensors. Incidentally, during the execution of the project, there was a large wildfire from Canada that resulted in significant smog cover for two weeks over the area where the solar panels are installed. This provided an additional opportunity to study the impact of smoke on solar panel power production. 

From the data collected over one year, it is determined that the AP Systems microinverters are the most efficient under all conditions. It is evident from the data that shading strings horizontally has a larger impact on reducing power output than vertical shading due to the configuration of solar cells within each module. The effects of the smog from nearby wildfires were observed to be similar to that of cloud cover, but with a lesser impact on the dynamics of the total energy generated. Finally, a cost versus benefit analysis for the lifetime of the different inverters was performed.

This project proved to be invaluable for all parties involved: the students, the faculties, and the industrial partner. The students learn practical hands-on field experience by working alongside engineers from the solar panel industry. They recognize the importance and utility of interdisciplinary work. Moreover, the team-oriented nature of this project will foster students’ development of essential skills in teamwork, communication, and time-management, serving them well into their professional careers. 

AU  - Xichen Jiang
AU  - Jill Davishahl
AU  - Dana Hickenbottom
AU  - Daniel Saunders
AU  - Troy Thornton
CY  - Tampa, Florida
DA  - 2019/06/15
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Photovoltaic System Performance Under Partial Shading: An Undergraduate Research Experience
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/33169
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--33169
ER  -