Improved Performance of PV Water Pumping System Using Dynamic Reconfiguration Algorithm Under Partial Shading Conditions

Abstract

Partial shading (PS) conditions severely degrade the solar photo-voltaic water pumping system (SPWPS) efficiency. Due to partial shading, the output power of the photovoltaic (PV) array reduces, which minimizes the pumping output. Therefore, this paper designs a smart SPWPS for total cross tied (TCT) PV array. The design of smart SPWPS consists of irradiance, voltage, and current sensors. The irradiance sensor measures the real-time irradiation data of each module in the TCT connection. Based on real-time irradiation data, this paper proposes a dynamic reconfiguration algorithm with the help of switches that increases the PV array output power compared to normal TCT connection under partial shading conditions. The enhanced output power increases the water discharge of SPWPS. The voltage and current sensors are utilized for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) operation. Voltage by frequency (V/f) control with sinusoidal pulse width modulation helps to operate the induction motor smoothly. Further, simulation and experimental studies have been performed to validate the effectiveness of the proposed system under various PS conditions. The results obtained are encouraging as the reconfiguration algorithm improves the efficiency of the SPWPS.