Comparison of different solutions for blocking diode applications in a photovoltaic panel under varying ambient conditions

Abstract

We characterized a crystalline silicon based

minimodule under varying ambient conditions, developed a

PSPICE model for this panel, including temperature and

irradiation dependence and applied this model to the simulation

of the impact of a blocking diode under different ambient

conditions. Different blocking diodes were examined, like

germanium and silicon homojunction diodes and silicon

Schottky diodes and compared to “intelligent” diodes,

consisting of operational amplifiers with MOSFET switches.

We calculated a strongly reduced power loss in a panel

integrating the “intelligent” blocking diodes even when

compared to silicon Schottky diodes with a rather low voltage

drop.