Abstract
This paper aims to present a smart, particle swarm optimization (PSO)-based, real time configuration strategy for a photovoltaic (PV) module array in the event of shadow cast on a PV module(s) and/or module failure as an effective approach to power generation efficiency elevation. At the first step, the respective maximum output power levels provided by a normal operating array at various levels of irradiation and module surface temperatures are measured and entered as references into a database. Subsequently, the maximum output power (MPP) level, tracked by a MPP tracker, is feedbacked for a comparison with an aforementioned reference as a way to tell whether there is either a shadow or a malfunction event on a PV module(s). Once an abnormal operation is detected, the presented smart configuration algorithm is performed to reconfigure the PV module array such that the array is operated at the global MPP as intended. Furthermore, by use of a PIC microcontroller that is a family of microcontrollers made by Microchip Technology for compact implementation, this study is experimentally validated as an effective approach to locating the global MPP at all events.
Highlights
A partially shaded or malfunctioning PV module(s) in an array leads to multiple peaks on the corresponding P-V characteristic curve, and gives rise to a considerable output power drop [1,2].In light of this, global maximum power point tracking algorithms [3,4,5] are proposed to resolve such multiple peak problems and as a way to reduce the shadow or malfunction impact on the overall system performance
The experimental results show that the selected parameters respond quickly and can track to the global maximum power point
This paper presents a particle swarm optimization (PSO)-based smart algorithm for PV module configuration optimization; such that a PV module array is operated at the global maximum output power (MPP) for arbitrary cases when there is any shaded or malfunctioning event in a PV module(s)
Summary
A partially shaded or malfunctioning PV module(s) in an array leads to multiple peaks on the corresponding P-V characteristic curve, and gives rise to a considerable output power drop [1,2].In light of this, global maximum power point tracking algorithms [3,4,5] are proposed to resolve such multiple peak problems and as a way to reduce the shadow or malfunction impact on the overall system performance. A distributed algorithm for controlling differential power processing (DPP) converters in photovoltaic (PV) application was presented in [6] It tackled the problem of maximizing the power extracted from a system of series-connected PV modules outfitted with DPPs. It tackled the problem of maximizing the power extracted from a system of series-connected PV modules outfitted with DPPs This method must use the numbers of inductor and capacitor, will increase the cost of the system and reduce the stability of the system. Reference [7] proposed a photovoltaic module architecture with parallel-connected sub-module integrated dc-dc converters that improve efficiency of energy capture in the presence of partial shading or other mismatch conditions. This architecture needs to connect a dc-dc converter in each series of PV module
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