How do you deal with solar panel shading and orientation issues?

Based on my experience in rooftop installations near tall structures or towers, as well as the consideration of future tall constructions during PV system design, it's crucial to account for far shading impact and seasonal shading. Due to the difficulty in achieving guaranteed performance, I have observed that in rooftop installations aimed at increasing plant capacity, the shading during the 1-2 hours of the morning and evening is often ignored. Consequently, shading persists throughout the year during morning and evening hours, which is not a good practice when aiming for a system life of 20-25 years

The shadow shading problem is one of the most common problems in photovoltaic power generation and seriously affects power generation efficiency. A hot spot effect may even occur, damaging components. The current mainstream method is to connect each panel with a micro-inverter or optimizer to achieve refined control of a single or several photovoltaic modules and improve the performance and safety of the photovoltaic system. For example, the optimizer is a DC-DC conversion power supply installed behind each photovoltaic module in the photovoltaic system. It can track each module's maximum power point (MPPT) in real time, effectively solving the problem of module output caused by shadows or other environmental factors. Reduce the problem.

Shading of a panel means "Inhomogeneous" coverage of parts of solar panels or the systems by shadows in any form such as shadow cast by building elements, soiling, bird drops, Fungus growth or similar scenarios. PV modules are highly sensitive to the shading and only 5% shading of a typical silicon-based solar module in extreme scenarios can lead to a total shutdown. A shaded solar cell or module can act as a consumer instead of a generator and produce a significant amount of heat in one point, known as Hot spots (mainly due to internal defects) which can cause non-repairable damages and in extreme cases fire.

Inter-row shading is another type of shading that occurs when the panels in one row of a solar farm cast shadows on the panels in the row behind it. This can significantly reduce the output of a solar farm, so it is crucial to consider inter-row shading when designing a solar farm and to take steps to mitigate its effects.

Now a days tracker technology is affordable and ROI is better however CAPEX is bit more than fixed mounting. And few tracker companies offer some state of the art back tracking solutions which not only avoids shading but also maximize gains. In India there are areas where one can expect minimum 12% more gain than fixed structures. Refering to the problem statement, proper shadow analysis is offered and is done by majority good solution providers.

Modules can be mounted in portrait or landscape. Shading direction can influence the module performance due to interconnection of solar cells. One shaded solar cell forces the other solar cells to operate on the same current level leading to significant power loss. Bypass diodes helps to get higher energy generation. In case, one cell is shaded, the bypass diode disconnects the affected string. In the case of old modules, if the module is shaded from the short side (one row of cells) on the bottom side when mounted in portrait, the module will be shutdown. In case the module is mounted in landscape, only 33% of the module (one string inside of cells) will be disconnected. So a clever installation or module design can mitigate the power loss

Orientation in solar modules refers to the direction the panels face relative to the sun. It matters because it affects the amount of sunlight the panels receive, thus impacting energy production. Optimal orientation depends on factors like geographical location and time of year. For example, in the northern hemisphere, panels typically face south to capture the most sunlight throughout the day.

1- the simplest solution is to avoid areas which are shaded! 2- Clean the modules frequently 3- Remove long branches of tress which can cast shading

Often it is near impossible to avoid shading. You're not going to break down a building next door, so you can put 4 more solar panels on the building next to it. This becomes just another obstacle that the designers of systems have to work around and leads to the "art" of system designing.

Solar PV software from different providers can minimize shading losses. These software programs use 3D modelling and other technologies to simulate the effects of shading on solar panels. This information can then be used to design and install solar systems that are less susceptible to shading losses. PV*SOL and PVSyst are some of the PV software that can be used to minimize shading losses.

To optimize solar power plant performance and minimize shading issues, start by evaluating the site for potential shading sources like nearby buildings, trees, vents, chimneys, or dormers. Use software tools(3D)or on-site measurements to analyze shading patterns throughout the day and year, considering the sun's path and seasonal variations. Place solar panels strategically in areas with minimal shading during peak sunlight hours, adjusting orientation and tilt angle as needed. Maintain appropriate spacing between rows and panels to minimize inter-row shading, and ensure roof features don't cast shadows. Consider advanced technologies like Optimizers or micro-inverters to mitigate shading effects and improve overall system performance.

Shading issues must be avoided considering the percentage of loss it contributes For example : shading loss is present only for few hours in months of the year , we can consider two options here , 1. Considering the module placement in shadow area and design solar capacity and check generation with losses 2. Designing system excluding shadow area and checking generation We can decide accordingly between two options given the shading loss is minimal After analysing in sketch up We can understand shading hours per day per month throughout year So that we can mount modules in shadow free area

In today's solar industry landscape, the presence of objects causing shading on arrays is no longer a major concern in design considerations. While this doesn't diminish their importance entirely, recent advancements in technology have significantly mitigated their impact. Innovations like optimizer MLPEs (Module-Level Power Electronics) replacing simple Rapid Shutdown Devices (RSDs), higher DC/AC ratios for inverters, and the adoption of half-cut cell modules have collectively reduced the significance of shading issues. As a result, addressing shading concerns has become less of a priority, reflecting the evolving trends and technologies within the solar sector.

1- using a clever system design by considering enough parallel and series connections. 2- try to avoid shaded areas (not only because of power but also the reliability) 3- Use power optimizers 4- Use shade-resistant modules, e.g. the hot-spot-free module of AESOLAR 5- Clean the modules frequently

To minimize solar panel shading issues: ?? Conduct a thorough site assessment to identify potential obstructions and optimize panel placement. ?? Implement strategic tree pruning or removal when necessary, balancing environmental concerns with energy production. ?? Consider microinverters or power optimizers to mitigate the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.

In case of RCC and ground mounted projects orientation is obviously South for Northern hemisphere and vice versa In case of sheds We can go with east -west or north- south whichever orientation is already present South is definitely better generation orientation but E-W is also equally capable I suggest to analyse first in pv syst beforehand which gives better picture about generation We can also consider elevated structure on sheds so that we can orient modules to optimal direction as per location we are designing

Dealing with shading and orientation issues with solar panels involves a few strategies: 1. Site Selection: Choose a location with minimal shading from trees, buildings, or other obstructions. 2. Panel Orientation: Optimize the orientation of panels to maximize sunlight exposure. In the northern hemisphere, panels should face south, while in the southern hemisphere, they should face north. 3. Tilt Angle: Adjust the tilt angle of panels to optimize sunlight exposure based on the latitude of the location. 4. Micro-inverters & Optimiser: 5. Trimming Trees or Obstructions: 6. Monitoring Systems: Combining these above strategies can help maximize the efficiency of solar panel systems despite shading and orientation challenges.

Lattitude to the equator is what it comes down to. The goal is maximize sun concentration throughout the year. If you point the system to the sun at the same angle equal to latitude it will maximize sun exposure. This varies based on if you are North or South of the equator. Some time there are other incentives such as peak load shaving (TOU billing) in the afternoon that could favor a more West facing system.

Using dual axis trackers is going to be the most efficient way to optimize orientation but it does not come cheap. They move in two dimensions to follow the sun throughout the day as well as throughout the year as tilt changes. A step down is single axis trackers which move in one dimension.

Different monitoring systems can be used to identify potential shading losses at the inverter, DC box, or string level. By comparing the string level output between days with low and high irradiance, you can get a good indication of whether or not a string is being shaded. If the output of a string is less than expected on a high irradiance day, then it is likely that the string is being shaded. This is especially true if the deviation is observed in the middle of the day when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. In the last 5-10 years, the identification of underperforming strings has been almost automated through various systems.

In my experience in the O&M space it is commonly best practice to ensure each azimuth and tilt angle orientation has a corresponding plane of array (POA) irradiance sensor. This level of granularity is important for accurate performance monitoring. Including multiple irradiance reference points allows monitoring groups to pinpoint specific production anomalies.

the easiest way is to check your inverter data and compare them with estimated capacity. If you system underperforms, has voltage or current drop, your system might suffer from shading. For orientation shading, it is easy to spot them. Depending on your module design, if you have a significant power loss, means the shade hits the module from an undesirable point. rotating the module might mitigate the losses.

1. Remote Monitoring Systems : Utilize software that monitors the performance of each panel in real-time. This software can detect shading issues by comparing the output of individual panels. 2. Physical Inspection :Regularly inspect panels to identify any shading caused by nearby objects such as trees, buildings, or structures. 3. Sun Path Analysis Tools :Use tools or software that provide sun path analysis for your specific location. 4. Aerial Imagery :Employ drones or satellite imagery to assess shading patterns over a larger area, especially for large-scale solar installations. 5. Shade Analysis Tools :Install sensors or devices that measure shading and its impact on solar panel performance.

The best way to monitor photovoltaic systems is at the module level. This is achieved with MLPE technology, using optimizers or microinverters. For residential systems, I prefer to use MLPE because of its monitoring potential, which facilitates maintenance. In addition, it improves safety and performance.

always try to avoid shading while it is not only a matter of energy loss but also reliability issues. Choose your modules and orientation wisely, as you can save some power loss only by clever system design in the presence of shading. In case of bird drops, you need to clean them immediately, as they are induce partial shading on the cells and they are consistent and cannot be washed by rain easily.

Employ engineering project management to conduct thorough site analysis, identifying potential shading sources and optimizing panel placement. Project management ensures meticulous planning and coordination to mitigate shading effects through techniques like tilt adjustment, panel spacing, or shade-tolerant technologies. Energy project management monitors performance post-installation, implementing corrective measures and optimizing orientation for enhanced energy production and efficiency.

When designing a photovoltaic system, it's important to be mindful of shading. That's why I always recommend these two steps: 1 - Visit the customer on-site, as it's common in my country (Brazil) to sell and design without visiting the customer. 2 - Simulate the photovoltaic system.