Optimal PV array configuration for extracting maximum power under partial shading conditions by mitigating mismatching power loss

Abstract

The grid-connected or standalone PV central inverter architecture comprises of several PV modules which are connected in different ways to form the PV array. The power generation capability of the PV array is mainly affected by partial shading conditions (PSC). Due to PSCs, the power output of the PV array reduces dramatically, and mismatching losses are induced in the PV modules. To the extent of these problems, the multiple peaks are also appeared in the power-voltage (P-V) curve, which is very complicated to track the global maximum power point (GMPP). The main objective of this research paper is to model and simulate the Series (S), Series-Parallel (SP), Bridge-Link (BL), Honey-Comb (Hc), Total-Cross-Tied (TCt) and proposed Triple-Tied (TT) solar PV array configurations under various partial shading scenarios. The performance of all PV configurations is evaluated under uniform and eight different shading scenarios. The performance of the considered PV configurations is analyzed in terms of their mismatching power losses, fill factors, efficiency, global maximum power points (GMPPs), local maximum power points (LMPPs), voltages and currents at GMPPs, open circuit voltage and short circuit current. The above-mentioned PV configurations are modelled and simulated in Matlab/Simulink environment by considering KC-200GT module parameters.