Low Irradiance Levels Research Articles

Performance evaluation of 2.25 kWp rooftop solar PV plant based on experimental measurements in the desert environment, case study for Ghardaia, Algeria

The aim of the present study was to assess the electrical performance and the suitability of a of 2.25 kWp photovoltaic plant placed on the roof of a cars parking located at Ghardaia (Algerian desert). Performance parameters have been experimentally studied in the year 2017. The main goal is to show the change in energy production and to present the impact of weather and sky conditions based on site measurements. The experimental results show that the lowest value of the performance ratio and the maximum value in reference yield, array yield, final yield, the capture and system losses was in clear day due to high ambient temperature. The minimum value of reference yield, array yield, and final yield were in cloudy sandstorm day due to low level of daily solar irradiation and sand dust particles. The PV system performance was comparable to that of other installed systems in different countries.

Enhanced Quadratic V/f-Based Induction Motor Control of Solar Water Pumping System

In rural and remote areas, solar photovoltaic energy (PV) water pumping systems (SPWPSs) are being favored over diesel-powered water pumping due to environmental and economic considerations. PV is a clean source of electric energy offering low operational and maintenance cost. However, the direct-coupled SPWPS requires inventive solutions to improve the system’s efficiency under solar power variations while producing the required amount of pumped water concurrently. This paper introduces a new quadratic V/f (Q V/f) control method to drive an induction motor powered directly from a solar PV source using a two-stage power converter without storage batteries. Conventional controllers usually employ linear V/f control, where the reference motor speed is derived from the PV input power and the dc-link voltage error using a simple proportional–integral (PI) controller. The proposed Q V/f-based system is compared with the conventional linear V/f control using a simulation case study under different operating conditions. The proposed controller expectedly enhances the system output power and efficiency, particularly under low levels of solar irradiance. Some alternative controllers rather than the simple PI controller are also investigated in an attempt to improve the system dynamics as well as the water flow output. An experimental prototype system is used to validate the proposed Q V/f under diverse operating conditions.

Effects of Triacontanol and Light on Stomatal and Photochemical Responses in Solanum lycopersicum L.

Triacontanol is a long-chain alcohol that is considered to be a plant growth promoter. Exogenous application of triacontanol increases dry and fresh weight, plant height, branching, stem and root length, yield, and other biochemical parameters; it also reduces the effect of different stressors. In this work, the effects of triacontanol on stomatal regulation and photochemical parameters in tomato plants exposed to three irradiance levels (100, 200, and 600 μmol m−2 s−1) were examined. Low and high irradiance levels caused a stress response in plants; photosystem II efficiency (ΦPSII) and photosynthetic-irradiance parameters were diminished. Triacontanol only reversed the negative effects of high irradiance, increasing photochemical response and photosynthetic-irradiance parameters. Moreover, a large population of low chloroplast number, chlorophyll content, and stomatal conductance were stimulated by triacontanol application. In relation to stomatal function, triacontanol had no effect on stomatal density; however, it affected stomatal size and morphology at the three irradiance levels evaluated. Bioassays in epidermal peels showed a direct effect on the stomatal aperture and an increase in aperture size in both light and dark conditions in triacontanol treatments. This is the first report of the role of triacontanol in the regulation of stomata and photochemical responses in relation to irradiance stress.

Comparative performance evaluation of different photovoltaic modules technologies under Kuwait harsh climatic conditions

In this work, performance analysis and comparison of eight photovoltaic (PV) technologies were carried out under the local harsh climate conditions of Kuwait. The test facility is elevated 3 metres​ above ground level on top of carports at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), alongside the seashore. The test was carried out for two modules each of eight commercially available PV technologies, at total of 16 specimens. The eight technologies employed in this work are, Monocrystalline (m-Si), Polycrystalline (p-Si), Heterojunction (HIT), and thin film; Cadmium Telluride (CdTe), Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide (CIGS), and Amorphous Silicon (a-Si). The set of data analysed in this paper was systematically acquired during a period of 12 months. Special attention is given to the influence of temperature and dust on the performance of the PV modules. The results show that m-Si, p-Si and HIT modules performed better in high irradiance levels while decreasing rapidly at lower irradiance levels. However, in the case of the cylindrical CIGS module, good performance in low irradiance level was observed Two technologies in the study (a-Si and CdTe) performed significantly lower than the other technologies mainly due to capture losses. The performance analysis show that the HIT technology performed better than m-Si and p-Si technologies. Moreover the module’s geometry and construction materials had significant impact on module temperature, soiling loss, and subsequently module performance. Modules packaged with epoxy degraded faster than other modules with glass encapsulation under the same soiling rate due to dust fallout.

Internal doses in experimental mice and rats following exposure to neutron-activated 56MnO2 powder: results of an international, multicenter study

The experiment was performed in support of a Japanese initiative to investigate the biological effects of irradiation from residual neutron-activated radioactivity that resulted from the A-bombing. Radionuclide 56Mn (T1/2 = 2.58 h) is one of the main neutron-activated emitters during the first hours after neutron activation of soil dust particles. In our previous studies (2016–2017) related to irradiation of male Wistar rats after dispersion of 56MnO2 powder, the internal doses in rats were found to be very inhomogeneous: distribution of doses among different organs ranged from 1.3 Gy in small intestine to less than 0.0015 Gy in some of the other organs. Internal doses in the lungs ranged from 0.03 to 0.1 Gy. The essential pathological changes were found in lung tissue of rats despite a low level of irradiation. In the present study, the dosimetry investigations were extended: internal doses in experimental mice and rats were estimated for various activity levels of dispersed neutron-activated 56MnO2 powder. The following findings were noted: (a) internal radiation doses in mice were several times higher in comparison with rats under similar conditions of exposure to 56MnO2 powder. (b) When 2.74 × 108 Bq of 56MnO2 powder was dispersed over mice, doses of internal irradiation ranged from 0.81 to 4.5 Gy in the gastrointestinal tract (small intestine, stomach, large intestine), from 0.096 to 0.14 Gy in lungs, and doses in skin and eyes ranged from 0.29 to 0.42 Gy and from 0.12 to 0.16 Gy, respectively. Internal radiation doses in other organs of mice were much lower. (c) Internal radiation doses were significantly lower in organs of rats with the same activity of exposure to 56MnO2 powder (2.74 × 108 Bq): 0.09, 0.17, 0.29, and 0.025 Gy in stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and lungs, respectively. (d) Doses of internal irradiation in organs of rats and mice were two to four times higher when they were exposed to 8.0 × 108 Bq of 56MnO2 (in comparison with exposure to 2.74 × 108 Bq of 56MnO2). (e) Internal radiation doses in organs of mice were 7–14 times lower with the lowest 56MnO2 amount (8.0 × 107 Bq) in comparison with the highest amount, 8.0 × 108 Bq, of dispersed 56MnO2 powder. The data obtained will be used for interpretation of biological effects in experimental mice and rats that result from dispersion of various levels of neutron-activated 56MnO2 powder, which is the subject of separate studies.

Modelling and Design Methodology of an Improved Performance Photovoltaic Pumping System Employing Ferrite Magnet Synchronous Reluctance Motors

This paper proposes a novel photovoltaic water pumping system (PVWPS) with an improved performance and cost. This system doesn’t contain a DC-DC converter, batteries nor rare-earth motors. Removing the aforementioned components will reduce the whole cost and increase the reliability of the system. For enhancing the performance of the PVWPS, a ferrite magnet synchronous reluctance motor (FMSynRM) is employed. Besides, the motor inverter is utilized to drive the motor properly and to extract the maximum available power of the PV system. This is performed using a suggested control strategy that controls the motor inverter. Furthermore, to show the effectiveness of the proposed PVWPS, the performance of the proposed system is benchmarked with a PVWPS that is employing a pure SynRM. Moreover, the complete mathematical model of the system components and the control is reported. It is proved that the flow rate employing the proposed system is increased by about 29.5% at a low irradiation level (0.25 kW/m2) and 15% at a high irradiation level (1 kW/m2) compared to the conventional solar system using a pure synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM). An experimental laboratory test bench is built to validate the theoretical results presented in this research work. Good agreement between the theoretical and the experimental results is proved.

Identification and Localization of Array Faults With Optimized Placement of Voltage Sensors in a PV System

The traditional protection devices installed in photovoltaic (PV) arrays generally detect line-line (LL) and line-ground (LG) faults when the fault current magnitude exceeds its threshold value defined by various international standards. However, the magnitude of fault current is greatly reduced, due to low irradiance levels, active maximum power point tracker, location of fault, minimal fault mismatch, and presence of blocking diodes. Consequently, majority of such faults remain obscured even when the irradiance reaches to a higher level and thereby constitute to reliability issues and severe fire risks. Therefore, both timely fault detection and localization become highly obligatory for sustainable power generation and safety. Thus, this article proposes a new, robust, and efficient fault localization method based on the principle of differential voltage measurement between PV modules of adjacent strings. For accomplishing this task, a new optimized voltage sensor arrangement with minimal number of sensors is followed. Moreover, the proposed convention 1) is proficient to detect any LL/LG faults independent of its detection challenges, 2) suits both grounded and floating PV systems, and 3) is compatible for systems with/without blocking diodes. For a realistic validation, testing has been performed on a small-scale grid-connected PV system and the efficacy in detecting various array faults is demonstrated via extensive investigations.

Effects of low and high irradiation levels on growth and PSII efficiency in Lemna minor L.

Plant growth and reproduction depend on light energy that drives photosynthesis. In the present study we compared growth characteristics, photosynthetic pigments content and photosystem II (PSII) performance in Lemna minor L. grown in two different irradiation regimes: low light (LL) – 50 μmolPHOTONS m-2 s-1 and high light (HL) – 500 μmolPHOTONS m-2 s-1. The main goal was to investigate the photosynthetic regulatory mechanisms that ensure adjustment to different light conditions and integrate these observations with the data on plant multiplication and biomass production. For this purpose, we measured chlorophyll (Chls) and carotenoid (Cars) contents and analyzed the energy fluxes through the PSII by saturation pulse method as well as by Chl a transient induction and JIP test. In a comparison of the effect of LL and HL on plant multiplication and fresh biomass, it was shown that the effect on growth was primarily attributed to the biomass reduction in LL while the effect on number of plants was much smaller. Total Chl and Cars contents were decreased in plants exposed to HL which indicated long-term acclimation response to the increased irradiance. Furthermore, the HL plants revealed better capability for the utilization of absorbed light in photosynthesis accompanied by photoprotective adjustment of certain number of PSII reaction centers from active to dissipative mode of functioning. In conclusion, our study showed that duckweed plants had great adjustment potential to different irradiation conditions, which might be of great importance not only under variable light availability but also when simultaneously challenged by some other environmental disturbance (e.g. different pollutants).

Photosynthetic performance and growth responses of Liriope muscari (Decne.) L.H. Bailey (Asparagaceae) planted within poplar forests having different canopy densities

BackgroundLiriope muscari (Decne.) L.H. Bailey is a valuable horticultural and medicinal plant that grows under a range of light intensities, from high to low, in the understories of shrubs. To understand how this species adapts to these various environments, we selected two groups of lilyturf growing under poplar trees at two different spacings. Each group was divided into three types, open field, forest edge and shaded forest with high, medium and low irradiance levels, respectively, and then we examined their photosynthetic characteristics, physiology and biomasses.ResultsLight saturation point, light compensation point and in situ net photosynthetic rate (PN) were highest in lilyturf growing under high light. In contrast, lilyturf growing under low light had a higher apparent quantum yield and Chl a and b contents, indicating that they adapted to low light. Although the leaves of lilyturf growing under low light were small, their root tubers were heavier.ConclusionsThe research demonstrates the eco-physiological basis of lilyturf’s shade adaptation mechanism as indicated by photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll fluorescence, Chl a, Chl b and Car contents when grown under different irradiances. We believe that lilyturf is a shade-tolerant plant suitable for planting in undergrowth, but attention should be paid to the canopy density of the forest when interplanting. The findings presented here advance our understanding of the photosynthetic characteristics of understory plants and may assist in the optimization of irradiances in the future.

Dosimetric and radiobiological comparison of simultaneous integrated boost and sequential boost of locally advanced cervical cancer

IntroductionSome patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) cannot undergo brachytherapy (BT). Possible treatment includes two-stage external beam radiotherapy (sequential boost – SEQ) or single-stage external beam radiotherapy (simultaneous integrated boost – SIB). The goal of this paper was to carry out dosimetric and radiobiological comparison of these techniques with respect to tumour and organs-at-risk (OARs) irradiation.MethodsThe anatomic data of six patients with LACC were used for this study. The single-stage SIB-VMAT (25, 27 or 30 fractions) and double-stage SEQ-VMAT (25 + 6 fractions) plans were developed to deliver EQD2=50 Gy to the pelvic region and EQD2=90 Gy to the tumour. The developed plans were compared with respect to an EQD2 dose delivered to a tumour and to the OARs, expected tumour control probability and normal tissue complications probability.ResultsThe developed SIB-VMAT and SEQ-VMAT plans had physical coverage of the CTV tumours with more than 95% of the prescribed dose delivered to more than 95% of the volume. The irradiation of the tumour for both SIB-VMAT and SEQ-VMAT has comparable EQD2 values close to 87–88 Gy. SIB-VMAT treatment plans provided lower levels of irradiation of OARs than SEQ-VMAT plans. The optimal number of fractions for SIB-VMAT was 27.ConclusionSIB-VMAT is a better treatment option for patients with LACC that are not eligible for BT. Results show that both SIB-VMAT and SEQ-VMAT allowed good coverage of the tumour and high-quality dose delivery. SIB-VMAT allowed minimising irradiation of OARs and shortening the overall treatment time by a week.

Conversionless efficient and broadband laser light diffusers for high brightness illumination applications

Laser diodes are efficient light sources. However, state-of-the-art laser diode-based lighting systems rely on light-converting inorganic phosphor materials, which strongly limit the efficiency and lifetime, as well as achievable light output due to energy losses, saturation, thermal degradation, and low irradiance levels. Here, we demonstrate a macroscopically expanded, three-dimensional diffuser composed of interconnected hollow hexagonal boron nitride microtubes with nanoscopic wall-thickness, acting as an artificial solid fog, capable of withstanding ~10 times the irradiance level of remote phosphors. In contrast to phosphors, no light conversion is required as the diffuser relies solely on strong broadband (full visible range) lossless multiple light scattering events, enabled by a highly porous (>99.99%) non-absorbing nanoarchitecture, resulting in efficiencies of ~98%. This can unleash the potential of lasers for high-brightness lighting applications, such as automotive headlights, projection technology or lighting for large spaces.

Photosynthetic acclimation of rhododendrons to light intensity in relation to leaf water-related traits

Leaves under high light may suffer from risks caused by excessive light energy and dehydration. However, it remains unclear how leaf water-related traits affect the photosynthetic acclimation of plants to light intensity. We investigated the photosynthesis and leaf water-related traits of two hybrids (Rhododendron ‘XXL’ and ‘Furnivall’s daughter’) and one native species (Rhododendron delavayi) under different growth irradiances to determine the importance of leaf water-related traits on the photosynthetic acclimation of rhododendrons to irradiance. Compared to plants under low light, the values for light saturation point (LSP), stomatal density (SD), leaf dry mass per unit area, and vein density (Dv) in the three rhododendrons were higher under high light, but the values for chlorophyll content and leaf size were lower. There were significant differences in light-saturated photosynthetic rate (Pmax), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (Tr), and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) in R. delavayi and Rhododendron ‘XXL’ between plants grown under high and low irradiance levels, but not in ‘Furnivall’s daughter’. The positive correlations of Dv and SD with Pmax, Tr, and LSP indicate that the increase in water transport capacity can improve water supply to meet transpirational demand and regulate photosynthetic performance under high irradiance. Meanwhile, the decrease in chlorophyll content and the increase in NPQ prevent the photodamage of photosystem II by decreasing light absorption and enhancing heat dissipation, respectively, when the plants are exposed to high light. These results suggest that adjusting leaf water-related traits and reducing the damage on photosystem II caused by excess light play important roles in the photosynthetic acclimation of rhododendrons to growth irradiance.

Performance evaluation of 2.25 kWp rooftop Solar PV plant based on experimental measurements in the desert environment, Case study for Ghardaia, Algeria

The aim of the present study was to assess the electrical performance and the suitability of a of 2.25 kWp photovoltaic plant placed on the roof of a cars parking located at Ghardaia (Algerian desert). Performance parameters have been experimentally studied in the year 2017. The main goal is to show the change in energy production and to present the impact of weather and sky conditions based on site measurements. The experimental results show that the lowest value of the performance ratio and the maximum value in reference yield, array yield, final yield, the capture and system losses was in clear day due to high ambient temperature. The minimum value of reference yield, array yield, and final yield were in cloudy sandstorm day due to low level of daily solar irradiation and sand dust particles. The PV system performance was comparable to that of other installed systems in different countries.

Snow and Glacial Algae: A Review1.

Snow or glacial algae are found on all continents, and most species are in the Chlamydomonadales (Chlorophyta) and Zygnematales (Streptophyta). Other algal groups include euglenoids, cryptomonads, chrysophytes, dinoflagellates, and cyanobacteria. They may live under extreme conditions of temperatures near 0°C, high irradiance levels in open exposures, low irradiance levels under tree canopies or deep in snow, acidic pH, low conductivity, and desiccation after snow melt. These primary producers may color snow green, golden‐brown, red, pink, orange, or purple‐grey, and they are part of communities that include other eukaryotes, bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. They are an important component of the global biosphere and carbon and water cycles. Life cycles in the Chlamydomonas–Chloromonas–Chlainomonas complex include migration of flagellates in liquid water and formation of resistant cysts, many of which were identified previously as other algae. Species differentiation has been updated through the use of metagenomics, lipidomics, high‐throughput sequencing (HTS), multi‐gene analysis, and ITS. Secondary metabolites (astaxanthin in snow algae and purpurogallin in glacial algae) protect chloroplasts and nuclei from damaging PAR and UV, and ice binding proteins (IBPs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) reduce cell damage in subfreezing temperatures. Molecular phylogenies reveal that snow algae in the Chlamydomonas–Chloromonas complex have invaded the snow habitat at least twice, and some species are polyphyletic. Snow and glacial algae reduce albedo, accelerate the melt of snowpacks and glaciers, and are used to monitor climate change. Selected strains of these algae have potential for producing food or fuel products.

Machine Learning Based Approaches for Modeling the Output Power of Photovoltaic Array in Real Outdoor Conditions

It is important to investigate the long-term performances of an accurate modeling of photovoltaic (PV) systems, especially in the prediction of output power, with single and double diode models as the configurations mainly applied for this purpose. However, the use of one configuration to model PV panel limits the accuracy of its predicted performances. This paper proposes a new hybrid approach based on classification algorithms in the machine learning framework that combines both single and double models in accordance with the climatic condition in order to predict the output PV power with higher accuracy. Classification trees, k-nearest neighbor, discriminant analysis, Naïve Bayes, support vector machines (SVMs), and classification ensembles algorithms are investigated to estimate the PV power under different conditions of the Mediterranean climate. The examined classification algorithms demonstrate that the double diode model seems more relevant for low and medium levels of solar irradiance and temperature. Accuracy between 86% and 87.5% demonstrates the high potential of the classification techniques in the PV power predicting. The normalized mean absolute error up to 1.5% ensures errors less than those obtained from both single-diode and double-diode equivalent-circuit models with a reduction up to 0.15%. The proposed hybrid approach using machine learning (ML) algorithms could be a key solution for photovoltaic and industrial software to predict more accurate performances.

Non-ionizing 405 nm Light as a Potential Bactericidal Technology for Platelet Safety: Evaluation of in vitro Bacterial Inactivation and in vivo Platelet Recovery in Severe Combined Immunodeficient Mice

Bacterial contamination of ex vivo stored platelets is a cause of transfusion-transmitted infection. Violet-blue 405 nm light has recently demonstrated efficacy in reducing the bacterial burden in blood plasma, and its operational benefits such as non-ionizing nature, penetrability, and non-requirement for photosensitizing agents, provide a unique opportunity to develop this treatment for in situ treatment of ex vivo stored platelets as a tool for bacterial reduction. Sealed bags of platelet concentrates, seeded with low-level Staphylococcus aureus contamination, were 405 nm light-treated (3–10 mWcm−2) up to 8 h. Antimicrobial efficacy and dose efficiency was evaluated by quantification of the post-treatment surviving bacterial contamination levels. Platelets treated with 10 mWcm−2 for 8 h were further evaluated for survival and recovery in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Significant inactivation of bacteria in platelet concentrates was achieved using all irradiance levels, with 99.6–100% inactivation achieved by 8 h (P < 0.05). Analysis of applied dose demonstrated that lower irradiance levels generally resulted in significant decontamination at lower doses: 180 Jcm−2/10 mWcm−2 (P = 0.008) compared to 43.2 Jcm−2/3 mWcm−2 (P = 0.002). Additionally, the recovery of light-treated platelets, compared to non-treated platelets, in the murine model showed no significant differences (P = >0.05). This report paves the way for further comprehensive studies to test 405 nm light treatment as a bactericidal technology for stored platelets.

Solar Charge Controller with Maximum Power Point Tracking for Low-Power Solar Applications

Solar Charge Controller (SCC) with Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) is needed to extract maximum energy from photovoltaic. However, a SCC device with MPPT technology feature is expensive on the market due to the requirements for a high-power system. On the other hand, in lower power applications such as IoT sensors, solar street lights, and wireless communication nodes, these types of controllers can be produced at a lower cost. In this study, the design of a low-cost SCC was conducted using the MPPT technology for low-power solar applications. The SCC is designed based on the Arduino microcontroller, which has the role of controlling the circuit and producing PWM signals to regulate the DC-DC converter. Several tests were conducted to validate the efficiency of the MPPT algorithm. The SCC device succeeded in increasing efficiency up to 52% on the low irradiance level.

Experimental evaluation of global maximum power point techniques under partial shading conditions

Shading plays an important role in the operation of photovoltaic (PV) systems, especially when one of the cells or modules in the string is submitted to lower irradiance levels due to partial shading (PS). As a result of this condition, the cells or modules absorb the power generated by the unshaded parts, thus causing hot spots that can irreversibly damage the device. In order to mitigate this problem, bypass diodes (BDs) are often connected in parallel with the cells or modules to limit the reverse voltage and the power loss as a consequence. However, the occurrence of multiple peaks in the power versus voltage (P-V) curve is observed. Although conventional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms are successfully used when PV arrays operate under uniform irradiance conditions, they may fail to determine the global maximum power point (GMPP) if PS comes to occur. Considering that several MPPT algorithms for the operation under PS have been proposed during the last few years, this work presents a detailed analysis of some techniques dedicated to global maximum power tracking (GMPPT), aiming at defining which one presents the best performance. A dc-dc single-ended primary inductance converter (SEPIC) associated with microprocessor ATmega328P is employed to track the GMPP and assess the operation of each technique experimentally. The performance of the well-known perturb and observe (P&O) algorithm is also evaluated under PS condition for comparison purposes.

Effects of a Simulated Acute Oil Spillage on Bacterial Communities from Arctic and Antarctic Marine Sediments.

Background: The bacterial community responses to oil spill events are key elements to predict the fate of hydrocarbon pollution in receiving aquatic environments. In polar systems, cold temperatures and low irradiance levels can limit the effectiveness of contamination removal processes. In this study, the effects of a simulated acute oil spillage on bacterial communities from polar sediments were investigated, by assessing the role of hydrocarbon mixture, incubation time and source bacterial community in selecting oil-degrading bacterial phylotypes. Methods: The bacterial hydrocarbon degradation was evaluated by gas chromatography. Flow cytometric and fingerprinting profiles were used to assess the bacterial community dynamics over the experimental incubation time. Results: Direct responses to the simulated oil spill event were found from both Arctic and Antarctic settings, with recurrent bacterial community traits and diversity profiles, especially in crude oil enrichment. Along with the dominance of Pseudomonas spp., members of the well-known hydrocarbon degraders Granulosicoccus spp. and Cycloclasticus spp. were retrieved from both sediments. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that polar bacterial populations are able to respond to the detrimental effects of simulated hydrocarbon pollution, by developing into a more specialized active oil degrading community.

An MPPT-Based Sensorless Line–Line and Line–Ground Fault Detection Technique for PV Systems

Globally, almost all PV installations are deployed with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique to extract the maximum available power output. However, in the case of an electrically faulty PV arrays, the MPPT operation rapidly optimizes the fault current magnitudes to significantly low values that enforce line-line (LL) and line-ground (LG) faults to remain undetected in the system for longer time periods. Therefore, this paper proposes a sensorless, simple tracking technology to detect any LL/LG faults in a PV array by utilizing MPPT itself. The proposed technique exploits the uniqueness of the rightmost power peak (RPP) in the output characteristics of the PV array to detect LL/LG faults. For implementation, the globally used perturb & observe (P&O) MPPT algorithm is deployed to track the RPP. Experimental results reveal that the proposed methodology is well efficient to detect any LL/LG faults in PV arrays irrespective of the level of mismatch, system type, and the system rating. In addition, faults occurring in low irradiance levels and partial shading conditions (PSCs) can also be detected with incredible accuracy. Furthermore, the proposed technique is proficient to distinguish LL/LG faults from PSCs and temperature variations of a PV array in real-time environment. The merits of the proposed concept are its scalability, simplicity, and practical fitness.