Minimization of Losses in Solar Photovoltaic Modules by Reconfiguration under Various Patterns of Partial Shading

Abstract

Configurations of photovoltaic (PV) modules, such as series-parallel (SP), bridge-linked (BL), and total cross-tied (TCT) configurations, always utilize a number of connecting switches. In a simulation, the ideal switch with no loss is used to optimize the reconfiguration method for a solar PV array. However, in practice, the switches are non-ideal, causing losses and resulting in a decrease in the total output power of the PV array. In this work, MATLAB/Simulink (R2016a) was employed to simulate nine PV modules linked in a 3 × 3 array, and they were reconfigured using series-parallel (SP), bridge-linked (BL), and total cross-tied (TCT) configurations for both ideal and non-ideal switch cases. It was not surprising that non-ideal switches deteriorated the output power compared with ideal cases. Then, the minimization of losses (ML) configuration was proposed by minimizing the number of switches to give the highest output power. A 5% higher power output was set as the criterion to reconfigure the PV modules when partial shading occurred. The results showed that if 50% or more of the area was partially shaded, reconfiguration was unnecessary. On the other hand, when the shaded area was less than 50%, reconfiguration gave a significant increase in power. Finally, the ML method had different configurations for various shading patterns, and provided better results than those of the TCT method.

Performance Comparison of Mismatch Power Loss Minimization Techniques in Series-Parallel PV Array Configurations

“…Consequently, the second procedure of irradiance correction is used in this work, among the three correction procedures proposed in IEC 60891 [56]. The simplified irradiance correction procedure [60] (12) where 'I' is array current; 'V' is array voltage; 'G' is irradiance; 'P' is array power. The PVSA device is intelligent to measure and store the values of array current, array voltage, array power and irradiance under fast-changing weather conditions.…”

“…Hence shading effects are not considered in this work. All experiments are performed under real operating conditions, and the measured OPC data is processed before being compared using Equation (12). Before each experimental test, the front side of all the PV modules are cleaned, and the module positions are rearranged according to the arrangement results obtained by simulation.…”

“…In many applications, such as hybrid solar power plants [2], building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems [3][4][5], solar-powered vehicle battery charging systems [6], grid-connected PV systems [7][8][9], solar powered water pumping 2 of 21 systems [10], micro-grid PV systems [11], solar PV arrays are used in different dimensions and configurations according to the system requirements. There are various configurations possible to arrange PV modules in an array such as SP, total cross tied (TCT), bridge-linked (BL) [12], and honey-comb (HC), but most practically used configuration is SP.…”

Reconfiguration Method to Extract More Power from Partially Shaded Photovoltaic Arrays with Series-Parallel Topology

“…The output characteristics of a partially shaded PV array can be modeled based on the equivalent circuit of a PV cell, such as a one diode model or a two diode model. In this paper, a one diode model is adopted since the accuracy is enough and the expression is simple [29][30][31]. The equivalent circuit of a one diode model is shown in Figure 2.…”

Gene Evaluation Algorithm for Reconfiguration of Medium and Large Size Photovoltaic Arrays Exhibiting Non-Uniform Aging

“…Although several researchers have examined the performances of various PV array configurations; their configuration selection may vary. For example, some have chosen to examine only essential series and parallel configurations, while others recommended Honey Comb (HC) as the best configuration [18]. Hereon, this method uses the following definitions.…”