Performance analysis of PV array configurations (SP, BL, HC and TT) to enhance maximum power under non‐uniform shading conditions

Abstract

AbstractPartial shading condition (PSC) causes the significant increase in power losses of solar photovoltaic arrays. Partial shading is due to the shadows of passing clouds, chimneys, trees, bird droppings, various tall building structures etc. At the PSCs, the local hotspots are formed in the partially shaded PV modules due to increase in temperature of the shaded module during its operation in reverse bias condition. The hotspots in the PV modules can be avoided by connecting bypass diodes in anti‐parallel to the modules. But due to the functioning of bypass diodes, several peaks are produced in the I‐V and P‐V characteristics. Apart from this phenomenon, the mismatch losses are also arises between the modules with significant reduction in output power from the PV array. The objective of this paper is to model, analyze, simulate and evaluate the performance of 7 × 7 PV array configurations such as Series‐Parallel, Bridge‐Link, Honey‐Comb and Triple‐Tied in the presence of various PSCs. The PSCs considered are corner, center, right side end, bottom side end, L‐shape, frame, random and diagonal shadings. The performance of these configurations under different shading patterns have been compared and analyzed with the performance parameters like open circuit voltage, short circuit current, global peak power (GPP), voltages and currents at GPP, number of local peak powers (LPPs), voltages and currents at LPP, mismatch losses, fill factor and efficiency. All the configurations are simulated by using KYOCERA‐KC200GT PV module specifications.