Critical Comprehensive Performance Analysis of Static BIPV Array Configurations to Reduce Mismatch Loss and Enhance Maximum Power Under Partial Shading

Abstract

On-grid and off-grid building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems require a large size BIPV array (LSBA) as their major renewable energy generator. Partial Shading (PS) significantly contributes to power loss in LSBA. One effective solution to mitigate the adverse effect of PS in LSBA is the application of fixed or static BIPV array configurations (BIPV-ACs). This research article critically compares the different fixed BIPV-ACs for modelling, designing and critical analysis of LSBA. Different existing and proposed fixed BIPV-ACs are modelled and simulated in MATLAB/Simulink under six dissimilar cases of PS patterns. Further, the performance is investigated in terms of global maximum power point (G-M-PP), mismatch loss (ML), fill factor (FF), efficiency (η), relative power loss (RPL) and relative power gained (RPG) to identify the best BIPV-AC. Experimental justification of simulation results under two PS pattern cases is reported. The best BIPV-ACs with high G-M-PP and low ML are Total-Cross-Tied (TCT), Triple-Tied (TT), Modified Triple-Tied (M-TT) and Hybrid Bridge-Linked Total-Cross-Tied (H-BL-TCT). Finally, the comprehensive critical analysis reveals that the H-BL-TCT array is the best performing array with low ML, high FF and η, and high G-M-PP with low wiring requirements than the TCT array. The simulation results conclude that the H-BL-TCT array improves G-M-PP by 6.40 %, reduces ML by 4.23 %, and improves FF & η by 4.58 % and 0.54 %. The experimental results infer that the H-BL-TCT array improves G-M-PP by 0.83 %, reduces ML by 0.75 %, and improves FF & η by 0.88 % and 0.09 %.