Optimal SuDoKu Reconfiguration Technique for Total-Cross-Tied PV Array to Increase Power Output Under Non-Uniform Irradiance

Abstract

Partial shading condition drastically reduces the maximum power output of photovoltaic array. Partial shading occurs due to several factors, such as flying birds, trees, and passing clouds. Many ways can be mitigated partial shading problems in photovoltaic (PV) array. One among the way is reconfiguration techniques, namely reconfigure the location of PV modules in PV array based on irradiance levels in order to distribute shading effects and increasing maximum power. This paper proposed an optimal SuDoKu reconfiguration pattern for $9\times 9$ total-cross-tied (TCT) PV array to improve maximum power under partial shading conditions. In this approach, the physical location of PV modules in TCT array are rearranged based on optimal SuDoKu style without altering the electrical connections, so that the shading effects can distribute over the array. Further, the performance of proposed pattern investigated with existing SuDoKu pattern under different shading conditions by comparing the global maximum power point, mismatch losses, fill-factor, and efficiency using MATLAB-Simulink. Based on the results of this paper, it concluded that the proposed optimal SuDoKu reconfiguration arrangement is reducing the wiring arrangement and increasing the shading distribution over the array as compared to SuDoKu arrangement.