Maximization of photo-voltaic array power output through Lo Sho Square shade dispersion technique based re-configuration scheme

Abstract

Non-homogenous irradiation levels across the solar PV array reduces the overall power yield of solar PV plant. Therefore, it is essential to decrease mismatch power loss incurred under non-homogenous conditions. For this purpose, ‘Lo Sho Square’ shade dispersion technique based re-configuration of solar PV modules is investigated in the present research work. Proposed ‘Lo Sho Square’ shade dispersion technique effectively scatters the non-homogenous irradiation across the reconfigured solar PV array, rather than concentrated on one location. Performance of the proposed re-configuration technique is studied by subjecting the 9 × 9 sized solar PV array under five different categories of non-uniform irradiation conditions. Efficacy of the proposed re-configuration is justified to be superior by comparing the simulation results obtained from proposed ‘Lo Sho Square’ technique with those obtained for Total-Cross-Tied interconnection and four recently reported ‘Normal SU-DO-KU’, ‘Optimized SU-DO-KU’, ‘Improved SU-DO-KU’ and ‘Modified SU-DO-KU’ shade dispersion techniques. The simulation results indicate that the proposed re-configuration scheme with values of 20%, 12.5%, 12.5%, 16.13% and 12.5% under five categories of typical non-homogenous conditions, has the lowest mismatch power loss relatively compared to that of literature reported four shade dispersion techniques. In addition, the proposed ‘Lo Sho Square’ technique based re-configuration with the efficiency values of 14.18%, 15.12%, 15.12%, 14.65% and 15.12% under five categories of typical non-homogenous conditions, has highest efficiency relatively compared to literature reported four shade dispersion techniques. Based on the comparative analysis of results obtained upon five typical non-homogeneous conditions, it is concluded that proposed ‘Lo Sho Square’ shade dispersion technique provides a relatively superior output performance compared to that of ‘Normal SU-DO-KU’, ‘Optimized SU-DO-KU’, ‘Improved SU-DO-KU’ and ‘Modified SU-DO-KU’ techniques.