ref.bib

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@ARTICLE{Alsayid2013,
  author = {Alsayid, Basim A and Alsadi, Samer Y and Jallad, Ja'far S and Dradi,
	Muhammad H},
  title = {Partial Shading of PV System Simulation with Experimental Results.},
  journal = {Smart Grid \& Renewable Energy},
  year = {2013},
  volume = {4},
  pages = {429--435},
  number = {6},
  abstract = {In a solar photovoltaic array, it is possible that shadow may fall
	over some of its cells. Under partial shading conditions the PV characteristic
	gets more complex with multiple peaks. The purpose of this paper
	is to illustrate, by analyzing different shading situations, the
	effects that partial shading can cause in a PV array. First this
	is done by simulation using Matlab/Simulink, then the impact of shading
	is illustrated experimentally by measurements on a two commercial
	140 W PV panels series connected.
	
	Copyright of Smart Grid & Renewable Energy is the property of Scientific
	Research Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed
	to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's
	express written permission. However, users may print, download, or
	email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged.
	No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should
	refer to the original published version of the material for the full
	abstract.},
  file = {:sources/partial shading of PV system simulation.pdf:PDF}
}

@MISC{Baltus1997,
  author = {Baltus, CWA and Eikelboom, JA and Van Zolingen, RJC},
  title = {Analytical monitoring of losses in PV systems},
  year = {1997},
  abstract = {The performance of a PV system can be characterised by the Performance
	Ratio. The performance ratio can be measured by means of global monitoring
	and is based on only a few measured variables. The meaning of this
	indicator is limited to a global impression of the performance, as
	there is no way to identify improperly functioning components. This
	paper describes a method to characterise the performance of the PV
	system in more detail. It is based on analytical monitoring and makes
	distinction between different types of losses. Low irradiance losses,
	resistance losses, inverter losses, shading losses and temperature
	losses etc. can be determined with suitable software. Lost energy
	due to improperly functioning components can be charted in an easy
	way.},
  file = {:sources/analytical monitoring of losses in pv systems.pdf:PDF},
  publisher = {Citeseer}
}

@ARTICLE{Birant2007,
  author = {Birant, Derya and Kut, Alp},
  title = {ST-DBSCAN: An algorithm for clustering spatial--temporal data},
  journal = {Data \& Knowledge Engineering},
  year = {2007},
  volume = {60},
  pages = {208--221},
  number = {1},
  publisher = {Elsevier}
}

@ARTICLE{Chao2008,
  author = {Chao, Kuei-Hsiang and Ho, Sheng-Han and Wang, Meng-Hui},
  title = {Modeling and fault diagnosis of a photovoltaic system},
  journal = {Electric Power Systems Research},
  year = {2008},
  volume = {78},
  pages = {97--105},
  number = {1},
  abstract = {In this paper, a circuit-based simulation model of a photovoltaic
	(PV) panel by PSIM software package is developed, firstly. Then,
	a 3 kW PV arrays established by using the proposed PSIM model with
	series and parallel connection is not only employed to carry out
	the fault analysis, but also to represent its IÐV and PÐV characteristics
	at variable surface temperatures and isolations under normal operation.
	Finally, a novel extension diagnosis method based on the extended
	correlation function and the matter-element model was proposed to
	identify the faulting types of a 3 kW PV system. The simulated results
	indicate that the proposed fault diagnosis method can detect the
	malfunction types correctly and promptly.},
  publisher = {Elsevier}
}

@ARTICLE{Chouder2010,
  author = {Chouder, A and Silvestre, S},
  title = {Automatic supervision and fault detection of PV systems based on
	power losses analysis},
  journal = {Energy conversion and Management},
  year = {2010},
  volume = {51},
  pages = {1929--1937},
  number = {10},
  abstract = {In this work, we present a new automatic supervision and fault detection
	procedure for PV systems, based on the power losses analysis. This
	automatic supervision system has been developed in Matlab&Simulink
	environment. It includes parameter extraction techniques to calculate
	main PV system parameters from monitoring data in real conditions
	of work, taking into account the environmental irradiance and module
	temperature evolution, allowing simulation of the PV system behaviour
	in real time. The automatic supervision method analyses the output
	power losses, presents in the DC side of the PV generator, capture
	losses. Two new power losses indicators are defined: thermal capture
	losses (Lct) and miscellaneous capture losses (Lcm). The processing
	of these indicators allows the supervision system to generate a faulty
	signal as indicator of fault detection in the PV system operation.
	
	
	Two new indicators of the deviation of the DC variables respect to
	the simulated ones have been also defined. These indicators are the
	current and voltage ratios: RC and RV.
	
	
	Analysing both, the faulty signal and the current/voltage ratios,
	the type of fault can be identified. The automatic supervision system
	has been successfully tested experimentally.},
  publisher = {Elsevier}
}

@ARTICLE{Chouder2009,
  author = {Chouder, A and Silvestre, S},
  title = {Analysis model of mismatch power losses in PV systems},
  journal = {Journal of Solar Energy Engineering},
  year = {2009},
  volume = {131},
  pages = {24504},
  number = {2},
  abstract = {A novel procedure to extract and analyze the power losses, mainly
	due to mismatch effects, in a photovoltaic (PV) system is pre- sented.
	The developed model allows the extraction of the main PV module and
	PV array parameters from I-V characteristics, as well as in dynamic
	behavior under real conditions of work. The method allows a good
	estimation of the mismatch effect on the total PV system power losses.}
}

@INPROCEEDINGS{Eicker2005,
  author = {Eicker, Ursula and Pietruschka, Dirk and Schumacher, J{\"u}rgen and
	Fernandes, J and Feldmann, Thomas and Bollin, E},
  title = {Improving the energy yield of PV power plants through internet based
	simulation, monitoring and visualisation},
  booktitle = {Proc. 20th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference (2670-2673)
	Barcelona, Spain},
  year = {2005},
  abstract = {In this paper, a new method is demonstrated for online remote simulation
	of 
	
	photovoltaic systems. The required communication technology for the
	data exchange is 
	
	introduced and the methods of PV generator parameter extraction for
	the simulation ...}
}

@ARTICLE{Firth2010,
  author = {Firth, Steven K and Lomas, Kevin J and Rees, Simon J},
  title = {A simple model of PV system performance and its use in fault detection},
  journal = {Solar Energy},
  year = {2010},
  volume = {84},
  pages = {624--635},
  number = {4},
  abstract = {Results are presented from a monitoring study of the performance of
	a sample of UK domestic PV systems. Five-minute average climatic
	and performance data was recorded for 27 PV systems at two sites
	for up to 2 years of operation. On average, the annual energy losses
	due to faults were 3.6% (Site A, first year of operation), 6.6% (Site
	A, second year of operation) and 18.9% (Site B, first year of operation).
	Simple empirical models are constructed to describe the performance
	of the PV systems under Ônormal operationÕ (when no faults occur).
	New analysis techniques are developed which estimate the energy losses
	of four different fault categories: sustained zero efficiency faults;
	brief zero efficiency faults; shading; and non-zero efficiency non-shading
	faults. The results demonstrate that faults have the potential to
	cause significant energy losses in domestic PV systems. The benefits
	of applying the data analysis techniques described in this work to
	PV system clusters and other urban micro-generation technologies
	are discussed.s},
  file = {:sources/simple-model-pv.pdf:PDF},
  publisher = {Elsevier}
}

@ARTICLE{Forman1982,
  author = {Forman, SE},
  title = {Performance of experimental terrestrial photovoltaic modules},
  journal = {Reliability, IEEE Transactions on},
  year = {1982},
  volume = {31},
  pages = {235--245},
  number = {3},
  abstract = {During the years 1977-1980, MIT Lincoln Laboratory (LL) placed over
	11 000 photovoltaic (PV) modules at experimental PV power generating
	systems in a number of field test sites in the United States. Prominent
	among these are a 100 kW system at Natural Bridges National Monument
	in Utah, a 25 kW system at Mead, Nebraska, and a 15 kW system at
	Bryan, Ohio. The modules used in each of these systems were procured
	through the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Large Scale Procurement Program
	as part of the US Department of Energy's National Photovoltaic Program.
	Through a program of periodic surveillance, measurements, and inspections
	at the aforementioned sites, over 320 electrically failed modules
	have been located, removed, and analyzed during this 4-year period.
	The principal causes of failure were: 1) cells cracked due to weathering
	or internal module stresses; 2) failed solder joints; 3) interconnects
	not soldered to rear sides of cells at assembly; 4) cells or interconnects
	electrically shorted to metallic substrates; and 5) broken or split
	interconnects. Details and photographs of many of the different types
	of failures are presented and some of the analysis techniques used
	to locate the failures are described.},
  file = {:sources/perf-experimental-terrestial-pv.pdf:PDF},
  publisher = {IEEE}
}

@MISC{Garcia2013,
  author = {Garc{\'\i}a, Miguel and Marroyo, Luis and Lorenzo, Eduardo and Marcos,
	Javier and P{\'e}rez, Miguel},
  title = {Observed degradation in photovoltaic plants affected by hot-spots},
  year = {2013},
  abstract = {A number of findings have shown that the test procedures currently
	available to determine the reliability and durability of photovoltaic
	(PV) modules are insufficient to detect certain problems. To improve
	these procedures, ongoing research into the actual performance of
	the modules in the field is required. However, scientific literature
	contains but few references to field studies of defective modules.
	This article studies two different localized heating phenomena affecting
	the PV modules of two large-scale PV plants in Spain. The first problem
	relates to weak solder joints whilst the second is due to micro-
	cracks on the module cells. For both cases, the cause is identified,
	and consideration is given with regard to the effect on performance,
	the potential deterioration over time, and a way to detect the problems
	identified. The findings contained in this paper will prove to be
	of considerable interest to maintenance personnel at large-scale
	PV plants and also to those responsible for setting module quality
	standards and specifications, and even the PV module manufacturers
	themselves.},
  file = {:sources/observed-degradation-hot-spots.pdf:PDF},
  journal = {Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications},
  publisher = {Wiley Online Library}
}

@INPROCEEDINGS{Houssein2010,
  author = {Houssein, Ahmed and Heraud, Nicolas and Souleiman, Ibrahim and Pellet,
	Guillaume},
  title = {Monitoring and fault diagnosis of photovoltaic panels},
  booktitle = {Energy Conference and Exhibition (EnergyCon), 2010 IEEE International},
  year = {2010},
  pages = {389--394},
  organization = {IEEE},
  abstract = {Solar irradiance and temperature affect the performance of systems
	using photovoltaic generator. In the same way, it is essential to
	insure good performances of the installation so that its profitability
	won't be reduced. The objective of this work consists in diagnosing
	the panels faults and in certain cases in locating the faults using
	a model, the temperatures, the luminous flow, the speed of the wind,
	as well as the currents and the tensions. The development of software
	fault detection on a real installation is performed under the Matlab/Simulink
	environment.}
}

@ARTICLE{Kang2012,
  author = {Kang, B-K and Kim, S-T and Bae, S-H and Park, J-W},
  title = {Diagnosis of Output Power Lowering in a PV Array by Using the Kalman-Filter
	Algorithm},
  journal = {Industrial Electronics, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion},
  year = {2012},
  volume = {27},
  pages = {885--894},
  number = {4},
  abstract = {The number of photovoltaic (PV) generators has been significantly
	increased worldwide as a main renewable energy resource. The output
	power of PV generators mainly depends on the solar irradiance, module
	temperature, and field conditions. Therefore, the maintenance of
	the PV system is necessary to improve the reliability in its use.
	In this paper, a novel method to diagnose output power lowering in
	a PV array is proposed to keep the good performance of its output
	power based on the relationships between PV module temperature, current,
	and voltage under maximum power point conditions. In particular,
	the proposed method does not require the accurate information in
	specification on PV module and sensors for measuring irradiation
	levels, which are required in conventional monitoring systems. This
	results in the reduction of cost. Then, it is effectively applied
	to a practical PV system by using the Kalman-filter algorithm. The
	performances of the proposed diagnosis method are evaluated and verified
	with the laboratory experiment and field tests as well as the PSCAD/EMTDC-based
	simulation test.},
  file = {:sources/diagnosis using kalman.pdf:PDF},
  publisher = {IEEE}
}

@INPROCEEDINGS{King2002,
  author = {King, David L and Boyson, William E and Kratochvil, Jay A},
  title = {Analysis of factors influencing the annual energy production of photovoltaic
	systems},
  booktitle = {Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 2002. Conference Record of the
	Twenty-Ninth IEEE},
  year = {2002},
  pages = {1356--1361},
  organization = {IEEE},
  abstract = {The most relevant basis for designing photovoltaic systems is their
	annual energy production, which is also the best metric for monitoring
	their long-term performance. An accurate array performance model
	based on established testing procedures is required to confidently
	predict energy available from the array. This model, coupled with
	the performance characteristics of other balance-of-system components,
	provides the tool necessary to calculate expected system performance
	and to compare actual versus expected energy production. Using such
	a tool, this paper quantifies the effect of the primary factors influencing
	the DC-energy available from different photovoltaic module technologies,
	and contrasts these influences with other system-level factors that
	often result in significantly less AC-energy delivered to the load
	than the array is capable of providing. Annual as well as seasonal
	energy production is discussed in the context of both grid-tied and
	stand-alone photovoltaic systems.}
}

@INPROCEEDINGS{Lin2012,
  author = {Lin, Xue and Wang, Yanzhi and Zhu, Di and Chang, Naehyuck and Pedram,
	Massoud},
  title = {Online fault detection and tolerance for photovoltaic energy harvesting
	systems},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Conference on Computer-Aided Design},
  year = {2012},
  pages = {1--6},
  organization = {ACM},
  abstract = {Photovoltaic energy harvesting systems (PV systems) are subject to
	PV cell faults, which decrease the efficiency of PV systems and even
	shorten the PV system lifespan. Manual PV cell fault detection and
	elimination are expensive and nearly impossible for remote PV systems,
	e.g., PV systems on satellites. Therefore, online fault detection
	techniques and fault tolerance solutions are needed that can detect
	and tolerate PV cell faults without manual intervention. In this
	work, we present an online fault detection and tolerance technique
	for remote PV systems, which is capable of dynamically locating faulty
	PV cells and tolerating PV cell faults. More precisely, we present
	a modified PV panel structure and an efficient algorithm for our
	online fault detection and tolerance. Our fault detection and tolerance
	technique reduces output power degradation due to PV cell faults
	in a PV system by up to 81.31%.}
}

@INPROCEEDINGS{Makrides2010,
  author = {Makrides, George and Zinsser, Bastian and Georghiou, George E and
	Schubert, Markus and Werner, J{\"u}rgen H},
  title = {Degradation of different photovoltaic technologies under field conditions},
  booktitle = {Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), 2010 35th IEEE},
  year = {2010},
  pages = {002332--002337},
  organization = {IEEE},
  abstract = {Over the past years a number of testing facilities have been monitoring
	the performance and degradation of PV systems according to the established
	standards of indoor and outdoor testing. The objective of this paper
	is to present the initial first year and longer-term rate of degradation
	of different PV technologies installed at the testing facility of
	the University of Cyprus, based on outdoor field measurements and
	methodologies. The first year degradation of the technologies was
	obtained using a data filtering technique of DC generated power at
	Maximum Power Point (MPP) at irradiation points of higher than 800
	W/m2 and normalising the measured power to Standard Test Conditions
	(STC). Over the first year, mono-crystalline silicon technologies
	showed degradations in the range 2.12 % - 4.73 % while for multi-crystalline
	technologies the range was 1.47 % - 2.40 %. The amorphous silicon
	system demonstrated the highest first year decrease in power with
	an average degradation of 13.82 %. For validation purposes the first
	year degradation was also obtained using a second technique by evaluating
	outdoor measured data-sets under Air Mass (AM) 1.5 (morning and afternoon)
	conditions and during noon (high irradiance and temperature). In
	this case the evaluated results showed deviations of up to 6 % and
	3 % for mono- crystalline and multi-crystalline technologies respectively
	whereas for thin-film this was 5 %. Finally, the longer-term degradation
	rates were evaluated by using the least- square fit method on average
	monthly data-set blocks of (i) Performance Ratio (PR), (ii) PR evaluated
	by filtering outage data-sets and restricting to high irradiance
	conditions and (iii) the Photovoltaic for Utility Systems Applications
	(PVUSA) rating methods, for the period June 2007 Ð June 2009.},
  file = {:sources/degradation-measurement-techniques.pdf:PDF}
}

@ARTICLE{Mani2010,
  author = {Mani, Monto and Pillai, Rohit},
  title = {Impact of dust on solar photovoltaic (PV) performance: Research status,
	challenges and recommendations},
  journal = {Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews},
  year = {2010},
  volume = {14},
  pages = {3124--3131},
  number = {9},
  abstract = {The peaking of most oil reserves and impending climate change are
	critically driving the adoption of solar photovoltaic's (PV) as a
	sustainable renewable and eco-friendly alternative. Ongoing material
	research has yet to find a breakthrough in significantly raising
	the conversion efficiency of commercial PV modules. The installation
	of PV systems for optimum yield is primarily dictated by its geographic
	location (latitude and available solar insolation) and installation
	design (tilt, orientation and altitude) to maximize solar exposure.
	However, once these parameters have been addressed appropriately,
	there are other depending factors that arise in determining the system
	performance (efficiency and output). Dust is the lesser acknowledged
	factor that significantly influences the performance of the PV installations.
	
	
	This paper provides an appraisal on the current status of research
	in studying the impact of dust on PV system performance and identifies
	challenges to further pertinent research. A framework to understand
	the various factors that govern the settling/assimilation of dust
	and likely mitigation measures have been discussed in this paper.},
  file = {:sources/dust.pdf:PDF},
  publisher = {Elsevier}
}

@ARTICLE{Meyer2004,
  author = {Meyer, Edson L and Ernest van Dyk, E},
  title = {Assessing the reliability and degradation of photovoltaic module
	performance parameters},
  journal = {Reliability, IEEE Transactions on},
  year = {2004},
  volume = {53},
  pages = {83--92},
  number = {1},
  abstract = {Photovoltaic (PV) modules are renowned for their reliability. However,
	some modules degrade or even fail when operating outdoors for extended
	periods. To reduce the degradation, and the number of failures, extensive
	research is needed on the performance of PV modules. The aim of this
	study was to establish a photovoltaic degradation and failure assessment
	procedure. This procedure should assess all parameters of PV modules
	to completely analyze any observed degradation or failure. In this
	paper some degradation modes of PV modules are discussed and a procedure
	used to assess these degradation modes is then presented. Results
	obtained by subjecting Copper Indium Diselenide (CIS), single and
	triple junction amorphous silicon (a-Si and a-SiGe), Edge-defined
	Film-fed Growth (EFG) silicon and mono-crystalline silicon (mono-Si)
	modules to the assessment procedure are presented and discussed.
	Results obtained indicate that the thin-film modules degrade by up
	to 50% in performance after an initial outdoor exposure of 130 kWh/m2.
	Visual inspection revealed that both crystalline modules had cracked
	cells. The mismatch due to the cracked cell in the EFG-Si module,
	however, was limited by the interconnect busbars. This paper accentuates
	the importance of characterizing all module performance parameters
	in order to analyze observed degradation and failure modes.},
  file = {:sources/degradation-assessment.pdf:PDF},
  publisher = {IEEE}
}

@ARTICLE{Munoz2011,
  author = {Munoz, MA and Alonso-Garc{\'\i}a, MC and Vela, Nieves and Chenlo,
	F},
  title = {Early degradation of silicon PV modules and guaranty conditions},
  journal = {Solar energy},
  year = {2011},
  volume = {85},
  pages = {2264--2274},
  number = {9},
  abstract = {The fast growth of PV installed capacity in Spain has led to an increase
	in the demand for analysis of installed PV modules. One of the topics
	that manufacturers, promoters, and owners of the plants are more
	interested in is the possible degradation of PV modules. This paper
	presents some findings of PV plant evaluations carried out during
	last years. This evaluation usually consists of visual inspections,
	IÐV curve field measurements (the whole plant or selected areas),
	thermal evaluations by IR imaging and, in some cases, measurements
	of the IÐV characteristics and thermal behaviours of selected modules
	in the plant, chosen by the laboratory. Electroluminescence technique
	is also used as a method for detecting defects in PV modules. It
	must be noted that new defects that arise when the module is in operation
	may appear in modules initially defect-free (called hidden manufacturing
	defects). Some of these hidden defects that only appear in normal
	operation are rarely detected in reliability tests (IEC61215 or IEC61646)
	due to the different operational conditions of the module in the
	standard tests and in the field (serial-parallel connection of many
	PV modules, power inverter influence, overvoltage on wires, etc.).},
  file = {:sources/early-degradation.pdf:PDF},
  publisher = {Elsevier}
}

@ARTICLE{Petrone2008,
  author = {Petrone, Giovanni and Spagnuolo, Giovanni and Teodorescu, Remus and
	Veerachary, Mummadi and Vitelli, Massimo},
  title = {Reliability issues in photovoltaic power processing systems},
  journal = {Industrial Electronics, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion},
  year = {2008},
  volume = {55},
  pages = {2569--2580},
  number = {7},
  abstract = {Power processing systems will be a key factor of future photovoltaic
	(PV) applications. They will play a central role in transferring,
	to the load and/or to the grid, the electric power produced by the
	high-efficiency PV cells of the next generation. In order to come
	up the expectations related to the use of solar energy for producing
	electrical energy, such systems must ensure high efficiency, modularity,
	and, particularly, high reliability. The goal of this paper is to
	provide an overview of the open problems related to PV power processing
	systems and to focus the attention of researchers and industries
	on present and future challenges in this field.},
  file = {:sources/reliability-issues-in-pv-systems.pdf:PDF},
  publisher = {IEEE}
}

@INPROCEEDINGS{Quintana2002,
  author = {Quintana, MA and King, DL and McMahon, TJ and Osterwald, CR},
  title = {Commonly observed degradation in field-aged photovoltaic modules},
  booktitle = {Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 2002. Conference Record of the
	Twenty-Ninth IEEE},
  year = {2002},
  pages = {1436--1439},
  organization = {IEEE},
  abstract = {Degradation leading to failure in photovoltaic modules follows a progression
	that is dependent on multiple factors, some of which interact causing
	degradation that is difficult to simulate in the lab. This paper
	defines observed degradation in field-aged modules, including degradation
	of packaging materials, adhesional loss, degradation of interconnects,
	degradation due to moisture intrusion, and semiconductor device degradation.
	Additionally, this paper suggests that the onset and progression
	of degradation need to be studied to gain a more comprehensive understanding
	of module degradation rates and module failures.},
  file = {:sources/degradation-rates.pdf:PDF}
}

@ARTICLE{Raina2013,
  author = {Gaurav Raina and Sumana Mandal and Siddhesh Shinde and Mukesh D.
	Patil and Ravi Hedau},
  title = {A Novel Technique for PV Panel Performance Prediction},
  journal = {IJCA Proceedings on International Conference and Workshop on Emerging
	Trends in Technology 2013},
  year = {2013},
  volume = {ICWET},
  pages = {20-24},
  number = {4},
  month = {April},
  note = {Published by Foundation of Computer Science, New York, USA},
  file = {:sources/novel-tech-panel-perf.pdf:PDF}
}

@ARTICLE{Roman2006,
  author = {Rom{\'a}n, Eduardo and Alonso, Ricardo and Iba{\~n}ez, Pedro and
	Elorduizapatarietxe, Sabino and Goitia, Dami{\'a}n},
  title = {Intelligent PV module for grid-connected PV systems},
  journal = {Industrial Electronics, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion},
  year = {2006},
  volume = {53},
  pages = {1066--1073},
  number = {4},
  abstract = {Most issues carried out about building integrated photovoltaic (PV)
	system performance show average losses of about 20%-25% in electricity
	production. The causes are varied, e.g., mismatching losses, partial
	shadows, variations in current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of PV
	modules due to manufacturing processes, differences in the orientations
	and inclinations of solar surfaces, and temperature effects. These
	losses can be decreased by means of suitable electronics. This paper
	presents the intelligent PV module concept, a low-cost high-efficiency
	dc-dc converter with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) functions,
	control, and power line communications (PLC). In addition, this paper
	analyses the alternatives for the architecture of grid-connected
	PV systems: centralized, string, and modular topologies. The proposed
	system, i.e., the intelligent PV module, fits within this last group.
	Its principles of operation, as well as the topology of boost dc-dc
	converter, are analyzed. Besides, a comparison of MPPT methods is
	performed, which shows the best results for the incremental conductance
	method. Regarding communications, PLC in every PV module and its
	feasibility for grid-connected PV plants are considered and analyzed
	in this paper. After developing an intelligent PV module (with dc-dc
	converter) prototype, its optimal performance has been experimentally
	confirmed by means of the PV system test platform. This paper describes
	this powerful tool especially designed to evaluate all kinds of PV
	systems.},
  file = {:sources/inteliigent-pv-module.pdf:PDF},
  publisher = {IEEE}
}

@INPROCEEDINGS{Stettler2005,
  author = {Stettler, S and Toggweiler, P and Wiemken, E and Heydenreich, W and
	de Keizer, AC and van Sark, WGJHM and Feige, S and Schneider, M and
	Heilscher, G and Lorenz, E and others},
  title = {Failure detection routine for grid-connected PV systems as part of
	the PVSAT-2 project},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of the 20th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference
	\& Exhibition, Barcelona, Spain},
  year = {2005},
  pages = {2490--2493},
  abstract = {Identification of energy losses in PV systems up to now needed time
	intensive analyses. The Failure Detection Routine (FDR) relieves
	this by daily automatically analysing the performance of PV systems
	and, in case of a malfunction, determining possible causes. As input
	data the FDR needs the hourly energy yield (kWh) of the PV system
	and reference values of the energy yield. The reference values are
	calculated with the help of irradiance data provided by a satellite
	and with specific information about the PV system. If the actual
	energy yield is significantly lower than the reference energy yield,
	the FDR analyses the pattern of energy loss (height, duration, etc.).
	This pattern is automatically compared with predefined patterns of
	frequently occurring failures (as e.g. shading or string defect).
	The accordance of the actual pattern of energy loss with the predefined
	failure patterns is used to define which failures are most probable
	in the actual case and which ones can be excluded. First results
	show that the FDR is able to detect energy losses within one day.
	It is very capable in deciding which failures are impossible in the
	actual case and gives a helpful choice of possible failures.},
  file = {:sources/failure_detection_routine_for_grid_connected_pv_systems_as_part_of_PVSAT2_project.pdf:PDF}
}

@INPROCEEDINGS{Vergura2008,
  author = {Vergura, Silvano and Acciani, Giuseppe and Amoruso, Vitantonio and
	Patrono, Giuseppe},
  title = {Inferential statistics for monitoring and fault forecasting of PV
	plants},
  booktitle = {Industrial Electronics, 2008. ISIE 2008. IEEE International Symposium
	on},
  year = {2008},
  pages = {2414--2419},
  organization = {IEEE},
  abstract = {This paper proposes a procedure, based on both descriptive and inferential
	statistics for diagnosis of PV plants. This study aims to developing
	an algorithm able to recognize accurately among a degradation status
	and a system abnormality before a fault occurs. The statistical approach,
	based on the ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests, is effective in locating
	abnormal operating conditions even in the presence of a reduced availability
	of energy measures. The proposed algorithm has been applied to a
	case study and advantages and limitations are presented.},
  file = {:sources/inferential-statistics.pdf:PDF}
}

@ARTICLE{Vergura2009,
  author = {Vergura, Silvano and Acciani, Giuseppe and Amoruso, Vitantonio and
	Patrono, Giuseppe E and Vacca, Francesco},
  title = {Descriptive and inferential statistics for supervising and monitoring
	the operation of PV plants},
  journal = {Industrial Electronics, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion},
  year = {2009},
  volume = {56},
  pages = {4456--4464},
  number = {11},
  abstract = {This paper deals with the problem of supervising and monitoring a
	photovoltaic (PV) plant. First, an offline descriptive and inferential
	statistical procedure for evaluating the goodness of system performance
	is presented. Then, an online inferential algorithm for real-time
	monitoring and fault detection is introduced. The two methodologies
	utilize the energy output of inverters as input data and are valid
	for both Gaussian and non-normal distribution of data. The procedures
	have been tested on a real PV installation, and results are reported
	for the case of a grid-connected PV plant in Italy for which one
	PV module over 132 resulted in being badly connected.},
  file = {:sources/descriptive-inferential-stats.pdf:PDF},
  publisher = {IEEE}
}

@ARTICLE{Walker2001,
  author = {Walker, Geoff},
  title = {Evaluating MPPT converter topologies using a MATLAB PV model},
  journal = {Journal of Electrical \& Electronics Engineering, Australia},
  year = {2001},
  volume = {21},
  pages = {49},
  number = {1},
  abstract = {Abstract: An accurate PV module electrical model is presented based
	on the Shockley diode equation. The simple model has a photo-current
	current source, a single diode junction and a series resistance,
	and includes temperature dependences. The method of parameter extraction
	and model evaluation in Matlab is demonstrated for a typical 60W
	solar panel. 
	
	
	This model is used to investigate the variation of maximum power point
	with temperature and isolation levels. A comparison of buck versus
	boost maximum power point tracker (MPPT) topologies is made, and
	compared with a direct connection to a constant voltage (battery)
	load. The boost converter is shown to have a slight advantage over
	the buck, since it can always track the maximum power point.},
  publisher = {Engineers Australia}
}

@MASTERSTHESIS{Zhao2010thesis,
  author = {Zhao, Ye},
  title = {Fault analysis in solar photovoltaic arrays},
  school = {Northeastern University},
  year = {2010},
  abstract = {Fault analysis in solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays is a fundamental
	task to increase reliability, efficiency and safety in PV systems.
	Conventional fault protection methods usually add fuses or circuit
	breakers in series with PV components. But these protection devices
	are only able to clear faults and isolate faulty circuits if they
	carry a large fault current. However, this research shows that faults
	in PV arrays may not be cleared by fuses under some fault scenarios,
	due to the current-limiting nature and non-linear output characteristics
	of PV arrays.
	
	First, this thesis introduces new simulation and analytic models that
	are suitable for fault analysis in PV arrays. Based on the simulation
	environment, this thesis studies a variety of typical faults in PV
	arrays, such as ground faults, line-line faults, and mismatch faults.
	The effect of a maximum power point tracker on fault current is discussed
	and shown to, at times, prevent the fault current protection devices
	to trip. A small-scale experimental PV benchmark system has been
	developed in Northeastern University to further validate the simulation
	conclusions.
	
	Additionally, this thesis examines two types of unique faults found
	in a PV array that have not been studied in the literature. One is
	a fault that occurs under low irradiance condition. The other is
	a fault evolution in a PV array during night-to-day transition. Our
	simulation and experimental results show that overcurrent protection
	devices are unable to clear the fault under "low irradiance" and
	"night-to-day transition". However, the overcurrent protection devices
	may work properly when the same PV fault occurs in daylight. As a
	result, a fault under "low irradiance" and "night-to-day transition"
	might be hidden in the PV array and become a potential hazard for
	system efficiency and reliability.}
}

@INPROCEEDINGS{zhao2013outlier,
  author = {Zhao, Ye and Lehman, Brad and Ball, Roy and Mosesian, Jerry and de
	Palma, Jean-Fran{\c{c}}ois},
  title = {Outlier detection rules for fault detection in solar photovoltaic
	arrays},
  booktitle = {Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition (APEC), 2013
	Twenty-Eighth Annual IEEE},
  year = {2013},
  pages = {2913--2920},
  organization = {IEEE}
}

@INPROCEEDINGS{Zhao2013graph,
  author = {Zhao, Ye and Lehman, Brad and Ball, Roy and de Palma, Jean-Francois},
  title = {Graph-based semi-supervised learning for fault detection and classification
	in solar photovoltaic arrays},
  booktitle = {Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition (ECCE), 2013 IEEE},
  year = {2013},
  pages = {1628--1634},
  organization = {IEEE},
  abstract = {Fault detection in solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays is an essential
	task for increasing reliability and safety in PV systems. Fault classification
	allows identification of the possible fault type so that to expedite
	PV system recovery. However, because of the non-linear output characteristics
	of PV arrays, a variety of faults may be difficult to detect using
	conventional protection devices. Supervised learning methods have
	been previously proposed to detect and classify solar PV arrays.
	These methods rely on numerous labeled data for training models and,
	therefore, have drawbacks: 1) The labeled data on solar PV arrays
	is difficult or expensive to obtain; 2) The model requires updates
	as environmental conditions change. To solve these issues, this paper
	proposes a fault detection and classification method using graph-based
	semi-supervised learning (SSL). The proposed method only uses a few
	labeled data points, but relies instead on a large amount of inexpensive
	unlabeled data points. The method demonstrates self-learning ability
	in real-time operation. Simulation and experimental results verify
	the proposed method.}
}

@INPROCEEDINGS{Zhao2010night,
  author = {Zhao, Ye and Lehman, Brad and DePalma, J-F and Mosesian, Jerry and
	Lyons, Robert},
  title = {Fault evolution in photovoltaic array during night-to-day transition},
  booktitle = {Control and Modeling for Power Electronics (COMPEL), 2010 IEEE 12th
	Workshop on},
  year = {2010},
  pages = {1--6},
  organization = {IEEE},
  abstract = {This paper focuses on fault evolution in a photovoltaic array during
	night-to-day transition. The effect of a maximum power point tracker
	on fault current is first discussed. When a PV fault occurs in daylight,
	overcurrent protection devices work properly. However, when the same
	fault occurs at night, our results demonstrate that the fault current
	is difficult to detect. As a result, the fault might be hidden in
	the PV array and become a potential hazard for system efficiency
	and reliability.}
}

@INPROCEEDINGS{Zhao2012tree,
  author = {Zhao, Ye and Yang, Ling and Lehman, Brad and de Palma, J and Mosesian,
	Jerry and Lyons, Robert},
  title = {Decision tree-based fault detection and classification in solar photovoltaic
	arrays},
  booktitle = {Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition (APEC), 2012
	Twenty-Seventh Annual IEEE},
  year = {2012},
  pages = {93--99},
  organization = {IEEE},
  abstract = {Because of the non-linear output characteristics of PV arrays, a variety
	of faults may be difficult to detect by conventional protection devices.
	To detect and classify these unnoticed faults, a fault detection
	and classification method has been proposed based on decision trees
	(DT). Readily available measurements in existing PV systems, such
	as PV array voltage, current, operating temperature and irradiance,
	are used as "attributes" in the training and test set. In experimental
	results, the trained DT models have shown high accuracy of fault
	detection and fault classification on the test set.}
}

@MISC{Fraunhofer2013,
  title = {World record solar cell with 44.7\% efficiency},
  howpublished = {\url{http://phys.org/news/2013-09-world-solar-cell-efficiency.html}},
  note = {Accessed: 2014-02-21},
  organization = {Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft}
}