Electrical PV Array Reconfiguration Strategy Against Partial Shading
Abstract
Partial shading presents a huge problem for photovoltaic (PV) arrays because of mismatch losses. One way to maximize power output is to make the arrays dynamic. These dynamic PV arrays change configuration depending on shading pattern and strength. This work evaluates the electrical PV array reconfiguration (EAR) strategy in dynamic arrays that use total-cross tied topology through modeling and simulation. The approach searches for the optimum configuration which has the most equal row irradiance averages. A static 3×3 PV array model and a dynamic PV array model, which uses the EAR algorithm, were developed. The models were tested for binary- and random-irradiance shading. Results show that the EAR strategy suits some shading patterns and that the irradiance distribution affects improvement in power output. The simulations performed demonstrate both the limitations and benefits of using the EAR strategy in PV array reconfiguration.
Keywords
Electrical pv array reconfiguration, Dynamic pv array, Partial shading, Simulation