Physical Locations Of Modules Research Articles

Modelling and simulation of AdDoKu based reconfiguration technique to harvest maximum power from photovoltaic array under partial shading conditions

A new AdDoKu method of photovoltaic (PV) module arrangement for total cross tied (TCT) interconnection pattern has been introduced in this paper. This arrangement is aimed at minimizing the PV array (PVA) losses caused by partial shading conditions and, thereby, increases the power output. Simulations are carried out in an extensive scale to validate the improvement in performance as compared to the TCT connection. Comparisons are also made between the newly proposed AdDoKu pattern and the SuDoKu configuration. The data obtained during this comparison place the proposed scheme at par with the SuDoKu configuration in terms of operational characteristics. The physical location of modules is rearranged without altering any electrical connections. The data obtained from the simulation tests show that the AdDoKu arrangement pattern reduces the number of local peaks in the P-V characteristics and, thereby, making the global maximum power point (GMPP) tracking algorithm much simpler and more accurate. MATLAB/SIMULINK is used for the modelling of all the PVAs considered in this work. Thus, the results establish the performance improvement of the proposed AdDoKu arrangement. Four different types of shading patterns (i.e., short wide, long wide, short narrow, and long narrow) are considered for analyzing the performance of the PVA system based on GMPP, mismatch power loss, % fill factor, % power loss, % power enhancement and energy saving with annual income generation analysis for the proposed topology. The output results shows that the AdDoKu method generates better power than TCT method by 28.76%, 30.15%, 11.66% and 0.34% in short wide, long wide, short narrow and long narrow shading pattern, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed AdDoKu method shows an improvement of 1.94% as compared to SuDoKu method under different shading conditions.

Optimal fixed reconfiguration scheme for PV arrays power enhancement under mutual shading conditions

Mutual shading (MS) in photovoltaic (PV) plants occurs when a collector is shadowed by the front row of collectors. The prevention of MS is considered in designing of the PV plants (PVPs). Perforce, this can be ignored in places with low maximum Sun elevation angle during some days and rows spacing limitations. In MS conditions, the reduction in energy and increase in the payback time of PV systems occur. In this study, a new optimal fixed reconfiguration scheme is presented for minimising of the MS effects. In this scheme, the physical locations of modules in a total cross-tied (TCT) PV array are rearranged without altering the electrical interconnections. The presented scheme is able to minimise the MS effects independently from all shading parameters such as Sun position in the sky, latitude of PVP, and PV installation features. For this purpose, the MS pattern is initially determined and its features are explained. Then, an optimal physical arrangement is determined based on the aforementioned pattern. Minimisation of the resistance losses is also considered in the presented reconfiguration. Finally, the comparison of the optimal arrangement with the simple TCT and Sudoku arrangements is given in different conditions.

Optimization of the Sudoku based reconfiguration technique for PV arrays power enhancement under mutual shading conditions

The low relative position of the fixed PV arrays can lead to the mutual shading between them. This shading decreases the overall energy produced by PV systems due to the mismatch losses. In this paper, the fixed reconfiguration technique is optimized bases on Sudoku puzzle pattern to reduce the effects of this shading. In the optimized technique, the physical location of modules in a total cross tied (TCT) connected PV array are rearranged based on new modified Sudoku dispersion rules. For this purpose, the mutual shadow (MSH) pattern is initially determined in the PV plants that have collectors with the same tilt and direction. Then, the weaknesses of the usual Sudoku dispersion rules against these shadows are explained and the MSHs that can lead to the non-optimal conditions are presented. For optimization of the Sudoku-based reconfiguration technique, the new rules will be merged to the usual Sudoku dispersion rules. Finally, the improvement resulting from the modified technique with respect to the non-modified and some other methods is demonstrated by extensive simulation results.

Maximizing the Power Generation of a Partially Shaded PV Array

As per energy efficiency of a photovoltaic (PV) system is concerned, partial shading is an important issue. Under partial shading condition, the modules of a PV array receive different levels of solar irradiation, so the power generation of a PV system decreases. The power–voltage characteristic of a partially shaded PV array contains multiple local maxima, and the global maximum power point is one of them. The losses in a PV array depend on the shading pattern and the physical location of shaded modules. This paper presents the Futoshiki puzzle pattern for the arrangement of the modules of a PV array under partial shading condition, ensuring the enhancement of the power generation with respect to totally crossed tired (TCT) structure. In this method, the physical locations of modules in a TCT structure PV array are rearranged without changing the electrical connection of the modules. A comparison between the power generation in TCT and Futoshiki puzzle pattern configuration is presented. It is demonstrated that the power generated by a PV array in the Futoshiki configuration method is enhanced, and mismatch loss (ML) is minimized under different shading patterns by theoretical, simulation, and experimental results.

Enhanced Power Generation From PV Array Under Partial Shading Conditions by Shade Dispersion Using Su Do Ku Configuration

Partial shading of PV arrays reduces the energy yield of PV systems and the arrays exhibit multiple peaks in the P-V characteristics. The losses due to partial shading are not proportional to the shaded area but depend on the shading pattern, array configuration and the physical location of shaded modules in the array. This paper presents a technique to configure the modules in the array so as to enhance the generated power from the array under partial shading conditions. In this approach, the physical location of the modules in a Total Cross Tied (TCT) connected PV array are arranged based on the Su Do Ku puzzle pattern so as to distribute the shading effect over the entire array. Further, this arrangement of modules is done without altering the electrical connection of the modules in the array. The Su Do Ku arrangement reduces the effect of shading of modules in any row thereby enhancing the generated PV power. The performance of the system is investigated for different shading patterns and the results show that positioning the modules of the array according to “Su Do Ku” puzzle pattern yields improved performance under partially shaded conditions.