Shading Analysis

Shading analysis is one of the most essential steps in phase of solar energy system design or analysis. In photovoltaics it is important to analyse shading caused by surrounding objects and/or vegetation. In special cases like analysis or design of BIPV systems, exact analysis of shadow-voltaic systems (overhangs, vertical shading fins, awnings etc.) is also very important. Similar analysis is also part of passive house or solar house design - overhangs must also be planned very carefully in such case. Basic calculations can be done by some simple equations - formulas for some typical simple cases you may find below. Some graphical tools like solar path calculator (pilkington) are also available. For analysis of complex objects several computer tools are available. Some of them offer even 3D simulation. Shading is especially important in photovoltaics. It should be eliminated as much as possible. Even small obstacles like chimneys, telephone poles etc. shouldn't be neglected. To minimise influence of photovoltaic array shading (if shading can not be avoided) different system optimisation techniques can be used.

Shading devices, general

For different simple cases it is in general not difficult to calculate shadows for particular day and time. Below you will find some formulae's end equations which may help you to calculate shadows for most common particular cases in engineering practice.


Shading devices, credit pvresources Shading devices, credit pvresources

FIGURE 1: Horizontal shading device, overhang, side view (left)
vertical shading device, vertical fin, top view (right)

h, D - geometry of horizontal shading device (see Figure 1, left)
α - sun height, Φ - solar azimuth, Ψ - plane azimuth

w, D - geometry of vertical shading device (see Figure 1, right)
Φ - solar azimuth, Ψ - plane azimuth

γ = vertical shadow angle (VSA)
w, D - geometry of vertical shading device (see picture above)
Φ - solar azimuth, Ψ - plane azimuth


BIPV shading, courtesy Solar-fabrik BIPV shading, courtesy Solar-fabrik BIPV shading, courtesy Solar-fabrik

Solar-Fabrik, solar modules used as shading devices and as part of a facade
image courtesy: Solar-Fabrik AG, Freiburg

Optimization of Strings

Shading losses of photovoltaic systems can not be avoided (if shading occurs), but at least portion of them can be minimised. Right time to consider this issue is the system plannings phase, later it is usually too late. Shading of strings - if crystalline modules are mounted on the roof like on the picture below, they should be always mounted horizontaly (like on the picture) and never vertically. Reason is quite simple: each crystalline module usually includes two bypass diodes which are active if shading occur. When modules are mounted horizontally the module still operates with some amount of power (50 0% or less) if the bottom row is shaded, because only one bypass diod is active. But if modules are mounted vertically and if lower row is shaded partially or completel both bypass diodes are active and amount of output power is close to zero. Strings on the roof, modules oriented horizontaly, souce SSES Preffered orientation of modules in strings on the roof (courtesy SSES). String configuration - modules that are shaded more often than other parts of array should be connected into separate string(s) if possible. This will prevent losses of the whole system because of partial shading of only one part of array.

Inverter configuration

Inverter configuration - some inverter offer several inputs, for each string its own input - in case of shading of one string, other inputs will still operate in MPP.

Amorphous modules

Amorphous modules - in cases where shading can not be avoided use of amorphous modules should be considered. Amorphous modules are far less sensitive on partial shading (in comparison with crystalline modules) so that even in case of partial shading they produce significant amount of power.

Array shape

Array shape - In some cases, like example of the church roof on the picture - you can also prevent shading losse with carefully array design. Array on the picture has shape of trapezoid, because of shading of church's bell tower.


Optimised array shape, courtesy Pfleiderer Dach Optimised array shape, courtes Pfleiderer Dach Optimisedn array shape, courtesy Pfleiderer Dach

Church's roof covered with photovoltaic roof tiles, optimised array shape
image courtesy: Creaton/Pfleiderer Dachziegel


Tools for Shading Analysis


Software


Additional Information - Books

book
Burns, P. J. (1992), Building Solar Gain Modelling; Passive Solar Buildings, Balcomb, J. D., Ed., MIT Press, ISBN 0-262-02341-5.
book
Olgyay, A., Olgyay, V. (1957), Solar Control and Shading Devices, Princeton University Press.
book
Olgyay, V. (1992), Design with climate, Van Nostrand Reinhold, ISBN 0442011105.
book
Mazria, E. (1979), The Passive Solar Energy Book (Expanded Professional Edition), Rodale Press, ISBN 9780878572380.
book
Quaschning, V. (1996), Simulation der Abschattungsverluste bei solarelektrischen Systemen; Verlag Dr. Köster, ISBN: 3-89574-191-4.
book
Szokolay, S. V. (2010), Introduction to Architectural Science, The Basis of Sustainble Design; Architectural Press, ISBN 978-0-7506-8704-1.
book
Tabb, P. (1984), Solar Energy Planning; McGraw-Hill, ISBN 007062688X.

Additional Information - Papers

paper
Budin, R., Budin, L. (1982), A Mathematical Model for Shading Calculations; Solar Energy, vol. 29, no. 4, pp 339-349.
paper
Dean, E. T. (1979), Graphic methods for determining the solar access design envelope with irregular topography; Proc. 4th National Passive Solar Conference, Kansas City, MO, October 3-5, ASME, p.287.
paper
Englund, J. S. (1982), Solar access to residental buildings; Solar Engineering, ASME, p.357.
paper
Jones, R. E. (1980), Effects of overhang shading of windows having arbitrary azimuth; Solar Energy, vol. 24, no. 3, pp 305-312.
paper
Pongpattana, C., Rakkwamsuk, P. (2006), Efficient algorithm and computing tool for shading calculation, Songklanakarin Journal of Science and Technology, vol.28, no. 2, pp 375-386.
paper
Sattler, M. A. et al. (1987), The geometry of the shading of buildings by various tree shapes; Solar Energy vol. 38, no. 3, pp 187-201.
paper
Scofield, S. H., Moore, F. (1981), Climatological sundial, Proc. 6th National passive Solar Energy Conference, Portland, OR, September 8-12, ASME, p.382.
paper
Sharp, K. (1982), Calculation of monthly average insolation on a shaded surface at any tilt and azimuth; Solar Energy, vol. 28, no. 6, pp 531-538.
paper
Sharp, K. (1980), Analytical integration of the insolation on a shaded surface of any tilt and azimuth, Proc. 5th National Passive Solar Energy Conference, Amherst, MA, October 19-26, ASME , p.166.
paper
Yanda, R. F., Jones, R. E. (1983), Shading effects of finite width overhang on windows facing toward the equator; Solar Energy, vol. 30, no. 2, pp 171-180.
paper
Quaschning, V., Hanitsch, R. (1995), Shade Calculations in Photovoltaic Systems; ISES World Solar Conference - Harare, Zimbabwe.
paper
Quaschning, V., Hanitsch, R. (1995), Der Einfluss von Abschatungen auf Photovoltaikanlagen in der Landwirtschaft; 19.Konferenz CIGR Sektion IV, Stuttgart, 25.-28.9.
paper
Quaschning, V. (1998), Höhere Flächenausbeute durch Optimierung bei aufgeständerten Modulen; 13. Symposium Photovoltaische Solarenergie · Staffelstein · 11.-13. März.

Additional Information

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