Quantitative Shade Detection for PV Systems Based on Clearsky Data

In modern monitoring applications, losses from shading should be quantitatively separated from other loss mechanisms such as soiling, degradation or total failures. Based on clearsky reference data, we introduce a shading matrix which enables accurate hourly description of shading losses of PV strings over the year. This matrix can be used to improve failure detections and reference yield data in PV systems. Furthermore, a shading matrix with respect to sun position is introduced to improve the spatial understanding of shading caused by surrounding objects.