Modeling and Simulation of a 4×4 Solar Photovoltaic Array under Partial Shading Conditions with Multiple P–V Curve Analysis Using MATLAB/Simulink

Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has emerged as one of the most reliable and environmentally friendly renewable energy sources for sustainable electricity generation. The increasing demand for clean energy and the depletion of conventional fossil fuels have accelerated the deployment of photovoltaic systems in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. However, the performance of PV arrays is highly dependent on environmental conditions, particularly solar irradiance and temperature. Among various environmental factors, partial shading is one of the most critical issues affecting the efficiency and power generation capability of photovoltaic systems. Partial shading occurs due to clouds, nearby buildings, trees, dust accumulation, or other obstacles, causing non-uniform irradiance across the PV modules. This results in mismatch losses, reduction in output power, and the formation of multiple peaks in the Power–Voltage (P–V) characteristics, making efficient power extraction more challenging. The primary objective of this research is to develop and simulate a 4×4 solar photovoltaic array model under different partial shading conditions using MATLAB/Simulink and to investigate its electrical performance through multiple Power–Voltage (P–V) curve analysis. A mathematical model of the PV array is developed by interconnecting sixteen identical photovoltaic modules in a 4×4 configuration. Different irradiance levels are applied to individual modules to simulate realistic partial shading scenarios while maintaining a constant operating temperature. Initially, the PV array is analyzed under uniform irradiance conditions to establish its reference operating characteristics, followed by several partial shading patterns representing practical environmental conditions. The developed simulation model is used to evaluate important electrical parameters such as output voltage, output current, maximum output power, and the corresponding P–V and I–V characteristics. The simulation results clearly demonstrate that partial shading significantly influences the electrical behavior of the PV array by producing multiple local maximum power points (LMPPs) along with a single global maximum power point (GMPP). As the severity of shading increases, mismatch losses become more prominent, leading to considerable reductions in output power and overall system performance. Comparative analysis of different shading patterns provides a comprehensive understanding of the impact of non-uniform irradiance on photovoltaic array characteristics. The proposed MATLAB/Simulink model offers an effective platform for studying the behavior of photovoltaic arrays under realistic operating conditions without the need for complex experimental setups. The developed model can also be extended for the implementation and evaluation of advanced Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques, intelligent optimization algorithms, and PV array reconfiguration strategies to improve energy harvesting under partial shading conditions. The outcomes of this study provide valuable insights for researchers, engineers, and designers working towards the development of efficient, reliable, and high-performance solar photovoltaic systems.