Modeling and experimental validation of matrix structure photovoltaic array reconfiguration technique to harvest maximum power under continuous dynamic shading condition

Abstract

This paper puts forth an analysis about the effects of continuous dynamic shading scenarios upon various photovoltaic (PV) array configurations. The detailed examination documents the extent of mismatch power losses (MPLs) that creep in PV arrays (PVAs) due to non-uniform solar irradiations. Along with MPLs, these partial shading conditions (PSCs) are also responsible for non-linearity and multiple local maximum power points on the P-V and the I-V characteristics. These examinations propose for an optimal PVA design to draw the maximum power from the PVA upon exposure to partial irradiance. A novel static reconfiguration-based matrix structure (MS) PVA and two new conventional PVAs such as alternative bridge link and short cross tied are proposed in this paper. Comparisons are also made between the proposed PVAs and conventional PVAs like bridge link, series parallel, total cross tied and honeycomb. These PVAs are examined under dynamic shading and the comparisons are drawn for MPLs, P-V curves and % fill factors (FFs). Experimental Test workbench and MATLAB/Simulink environment is adopted for validating all the PVA configurations (PVACs) under consideration. Among the analysed configurations, the MS PVAC have lesser MPLs and better % FF under continuous PSCs and, thus, found to be the superior configuration.