Solar PV array reconfiguration using the concept of Standard deviation and Genetic Algorithm

Abstract

Partial shading of PV arrays is one of the most discussed and worked upon problem in the field of solar photovoltaic as it reduces the output power and exhibits multiple peaks in the PV and IV characteristics. As, a result the modules have to be reconfigured to get a maximum power output. This paper presents an optimization based approach for Total cross tied (TCT) connected modules in a PV array. The physical locations of the modules remain unchanged while the electrical connections are altered. The proposed technique utilizes, standard deviation genetic algorithm (SDGA) as an optimization tool, which gives the final connection matrix for the new electrical interconnection which extracts the maximum power from the PV array. This is done to obtain uniform shade dispersion throughout the panel. The proposed method has been tested and simulated in Matlab-Simulink environment under partial shading conditions. Results of the simulation show that the proposed reconfiguration technique exhibit superior results as compared to the traditional TCT interconnection scheme.