Scenario-Based Investigation on the Effect of Partial Shading Condition Patterns for Different Static Solar Photovoltaic Array Configurations

Abstract

This paper presents an in-depth analysis and investigation on the performance of static photovoltaic (PV) array configurations subjected to various partial shading conditions (PSCs). Under PSCs, the electrical characteristics of the PV modules are critically monitored and reasons for their behavioral changes are highlighted. By doing so, this study aims to improve the efficiency of PV systems by minimizing mismatch losses and determining the optimum array configuration which is characterized by the highest maximum power and lowest relative losses under PSCs. Besides, this study complements and carries forward the previous studies through the detailed analysis of each configuration subjected to various practically probable PSCs. Three different PV array sizes ( $5\times4$ , $5\times5$ , and $3\times10$ ) are used to analyze the results and performance under considered shading scenarios. MATLAB/Simulink platform is used to model and simulate the PV array using the single diode (5-parameters) model. In-depth analysis of current flow across cross-ties and bypass diodes activation shows that the diagonal shading pattern leads to lower power loss (PL). Besides, the Total Cross-Tied (TCT) configuration demonstrates superior performance under most of the PSCs compared to other configurations. These results provide valuable information about the performance of PV array which may lead to better estimation and prediction of global maximum power (GMP) generation of a PV system.