Bypass diode and photovoltaic module failure analysis of 1.5kW solar PV array

ABSTRACT

Solar photovoltaic (PV) is the widely preferred power generation source to meet the growing energy demands. Solar PV system must be made highly reliable and effectively utilized during the availability of the source. System reliability is the predominant factor to be considered because of the possibilities of various faults and various operating conditions to which PV system is subjected. The present work addresses three major faults that commonly occur in solar PV system, namely, failure of bypass diode, failure of PV module, and power generation mismatch due to panel replacement. This proposed work deals with the detection and clearance of these three faults. The failure of PV module results in a higher power reduction of 82% in the PV array. The switching matrix circuit is proposed to enhance the power obtained from PV system under the module failure fault. The faults are manually created in a typical 1.5 kW grid-connected PV system and rectified to enhance the power production in the PV array. An average power enhancement of 14% is obtained after the clearance of the power mismatch due to panel replacement. With the help of double bypass diode technique, output power is enhanced to 55.2% higher compared to before fault clearance at the same irradiance level. The experimental results obtained in 1.5 kW grid-connected solar PV system are studied and validated.

KEYWORDS:

• Solar PV
• module fault
• maximum power extraction
• bypass diode fault
• mismatch panel fault

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mariappan Dhakshinamoorthy

Mariappan Dhakshinamoorthy completed his Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering in P.A.C. Ramasamy Raja’s Polytechnic, Rajapalayam, and completed his B.E. degree in the discipline of Electrical and Electronics Engineering in Government College of Engineering, Tirunelveli, in the year 2010. He completed his M.E. degree in Applied Electronics at Anna University Tirunelveli. He is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of EEE in Kamaraj College of Engineering and Technology, Madurai. He has 11 years of teaching experience at various levels. His research areas of interest include Basic Circuits, Electronics Devices, and applications of power electronic devices. He is a member of ISTE.

Kalyani Sundaram

Kalyani Sundaram completed her B.E. degree in the discipline of Electrical and Electronics Engineering in Alagappa Chettiar College of Engineering & Technology, Karaikudi in the year 2000. She completed her M.E. degree in Power System Engineering at Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai. She has been awarded Ph.D degree from IIT Madras, Chennai, in March 2011. She is currently working as a Professor in the Department of EEE at Kamaraj College of Engineering and Technology. She has 20 years of teaching experience at various levels. Her research areas of interest include power system stability, pattern recognition, neural networks, and fuzzy logic applications to power system studies. She is a member of IEEE, IE (India), and IA Eng.

Pravin Murugesan

Pravin Murugesan received his B.E. degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Anna University in 2021. Currently, he is pursuing an M.E. degree in Power Systems Engineering. His current research interests include Solar PV, Solar Still. He has published four research articles in several reputed international journals

Prince Winston David

Prince Winston David completed his bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering from Anna University, Chennai, India, in 2006 and his master’s degree in power electronics and drives from Anna University, in 2008. He received a doctoral degree from Anna University, in 2013. Presently, he is working as a professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Kamaraj College of Engineering and Technology, Madurai, India. His current research interests include electric motor drives, power converters, power quality, and renewable energy systems.