Modelling and analysis of PV configurations (alternate TCT-BL, total cross tied, series, series parallel, bridge linked and honey comb) to extract maximum power under partial shading conditions

Abstract

Photovoltaics (PV) are widely used as renewable energy sources for standalone and grid connected PV system. But these PV systems face major reduction in output power and efficiency due to Partial Shading Conditions (PSCs). This research paper focuses on the choice of optimum PV Configuration under a given shading pattern to extract maximum power by mitigating mismatching loss. Various PV configurations such as Series(S), Series Parallel (SP), Total Cross Tied (TCT), Bridge Linked (BL), Honey Comb (HC) and Alternate Total Cross Tied — Bridge Linked (A-TCT-BL) are modelled and analyzed under PSCs. Nine shading patterns such as center, diagonal, corner, L-shaped, short and narrow, short and wide, long and narrow, long and wide and random are considered to study the behavior of 6×6 array form of PV Configuration. Their performances are compared based on open circuit voltage, short circuit current, global maximum power point (GMPP), maximum voltage, maximum current, shading loss, fill factor, mismatching loss and efficiency. A novel Hybrid Configuration called A-TCT-BL PV Configuration is proposed to generate maximum power under PSCs and to minimize the number of cross ties and wiring complexities. This Configuration is an integration of TCT and BL PV Configuration and the simulation results prove the capability of this proposed PV Configuration to generate maximum power, fill factor, efficiency and minimum mismatching loss compared to S, SP, BL and HC PV Configuration under most of the PSCs investigated. Canadian Solar CS5P-200M PV module is considered for simulation and is simulated in Matlab /Simulink software.