Continuous Reconfiguration Framework for Photovoltaic Array under Variable Partial Shading Conditions: Heuristic-Based Algorithms with Optimizing Switching Operation

Abstract

The operation of the photovoltaic (PV) system under partial shading conditions (PSC) is complicated since the output characteristic of the PV system is profoundly affected by the heterogeneous irradiance of PSC. This paper proposes a dynamic reconfiguration framework to tackle PSC in the PV array. Continuous operation of the dynamic PV array reconfiguration under cloud-induced partial shading is considered by developing an emulator of the moving cloud. In addition, the Particle Swarm Optimization and Rao algorithms are improved to obtain the optimal PV array configuration under PSC. The operation of switching is enhanced by simultaneously considering the total switching times and the operation of highly active switches. The simulation results on the 9×9 PV array demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework in terms of reducing the number of local maximum power points on the power-voltage characteristic, enhancing power output, and relieving stress on the switching operation of the PV array under different PSC.