Linearised model for PV panel power output variation with changes in ambient conditions

In closed loop control of PV systems it is important to model the small signal variation of PV panel array output with ambient conditions, namely irradiation and temperature. Changes in these conditions act as a disturbance to the system, but this disturbance needs to be reflected in terms of the quantity being controlled, which can be the PV panel current or the real power. In this work a linearised model is derived to relate the change in system input, namely: irradiance and temperature, with its output, namely: array current and power. The proposed model is experimentally verified with tests run on PV panels, when they are subjected to varying irradiation and temperature conditions in the laboratory. The experimental results confirm the accuracy of the linearised PV panel model.