A Novel Fixed BIPV Array for Improving Maximum Power with Low Mismatch Losses Under Partial Shading

Abstract

Partial shading is a significant limitation that decreases the maximum power output of large photovoltaic (PV), and building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) arrays installed in modern buildings. One of the optimum solutions to mitigate the difficulty related to partial shading is applying different interconnected fixed BIPV array configurations. This research article aims to modelling, simulation, and performance analysis of a novel conventional 7 × 8 Quarter-Tied (QrTd) fixed BIPV array configuration under the centre, left staircase, frame, left corner, diagonal, and left side shading pattern cases in Matlab/Simulink. Moreover, a comprehensive study with existing conventional fixed BIPV array configurations such as Series-Parallel (SePl), Bridge-Linked (BdLk), Honey-Combed (HnCb), Triple-Tied (TrTd), Total-Cross-Tied (TtCrTd) array interconnections is also executed. The variable parameters for performance evaluation include global maximum power point (GlMxPoPt), mismatch losses (MmLs), fill factor (FiFa), efficiency (Effy), relative power loss (RlPwLs) and relative power gained (RlPwGn). Experimental validation under two partial shading cases is also reported for the justification of simulation results. The simulation results infer that the proposed QrTd configuration improves GlMxPoPt by 4.31%, reduces MmLs by 3.54%, and improves FiFa & Effy by 2.44% and 0.34%, respectively, under six different shading cases. The experimental results conclude that the proposed QrTd configuration improves GlMxPoPt by 1.62%, reduces MmLs by 1.15%, and improves FiFa & Effy by 0.65% and 0.14%, respectively, under two shading cases. Moreover, the wiring requirement and the wiring losses are also lower in the proposed QrTd configuration than in the TtCrTd configuration.

KEYWORDS:

• Building integrated photovoltaic
• Efficiency
• Fill factor
• Global maximum power point
• Maximum power
• Mismatch loss
• Partial shading
• Quarter-tied

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

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

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Debayan Sarkar

Debayan Sarkar was born in Kharagpur, West Bengal, India, in 1992. He received his BTech degree in electrical engineering & MTech degree in power systems from the Department of Electrical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, India, in the years 2015 & 2017, respectively. Presently, he is pursuing his PhD under the guidance of Prof. Pradip Kumar Sadhu, Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, India. His current research interests include maximum power extraction from building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) and roof-integrated photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar photovoltaic power generation techniques, diode models, partial shading, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and Internet of Things (IoT) in electrical engineering applications.

Pradip Kumar Sadhu

Pradip Kumar Sadhu received his BE, ME, and PhD (Engineering) degrees in electrical engineering from Jadavpur University, West Bengal, India. He is presently working as a professor (HAG) of the Department of Electrical Engineering of the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, India. He has a total of 30 years of experience including 18 years of teaching and research plus 12 years in the industry. He has four granted patents and twenty-seven patents that are under process. He has several journal and conference publications at national and international levels. He is the principal investigator of a few government-funded projects. His current research interest includes power electronics applications, the application of high-frequency converters, energy-efficient devices, energy-efficient drives, computer-aided power system analysis, condition monitoring, lighting and communication systems for underground coal mines. Email: [email protected]