Translations:Shading/6/en

The cells of a PV module are connected in series. If one part of a part of a series circuit has high resistance or is not performing properly, it becomes a constraint for all of the other parts of the circuit. PV modules have incorporated bypass diodes in their junction boxes which automatically bypass strings of cells that are not performing properly. The current from other modules or other cells within the module will simply bypass the poorly functioning columns. The typical PV module only has three different strings of PV cells, connected along the long axis of the module, with each one having its own bypass diode. This has important consequences for how a PV module performs when there is shade as bypass diodes respond variably depending upon the conditions. Shading along the short-axis (rows) of the module will have a greater impact than shading along the long-axis (columns) of the module