Performance Analysis of Novel Solar PV Array Configurations with Reduced Tie Interconnection to Extract Maximum Power under Partial Shading

Abstract

The non-uniform irradiation pattern causes the partial shading effects and decreases the performance of the solar Photovoltaic (PV) array. The effect of uneven shading condition depends on its pattern and area. The PV array’s performance is determined by the cross ties that are connected within the array. This research proposes eight different PV array tie interconnection configurations to obtain the maximum power output under uneven insolation conditions. Experimental analysis is done in the PV array consists of 16 numbers of 10 W PV panels which has a total capacity of 160 W. The practical results reveal that the losses due to partial shading are influenced by the shade pattern, shade area, and the placement of the cross ties. Overall, among the conventional configurations, the hybrid bridge link total cross tied interconnection pattern produced the best results, followed by the hybrid series parallel total cross tied and bridge link patterns. In the proposed configurations, the plus tie configuration outperformed the others in maximum of the partial shading scenarios. In general, the PLT configuration demonstrated an average power efficiency increase of 19.17%, 8.37%, and 8.28% compared to the series parallel, hybrid series parallel total cross-tied, bridge link, and bridge link total cross-tied configurations, respectively. The effectiveness of the proposed configurations is validated by the practical verifications.

Keywords:

• PV configuration
• cross tie
• partial shading
• performance enhancement
• Standard Power Loss

Competing interests

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Pandimuni Pandian

Pandimuni Pandian completed his Bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering from Kamaraj University, Madurai, India, in 2000 and his Master’s degree in embedded system techonogies and drives from Anna University, in 2010. Currently, he is pursuing a doctoral degree in Anna University. Presently, he is working as a lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at VSVN Polytechnic college, Virudhunagar, India. His current research interests include Solar photovoltaic systems, and renewable energy systems.

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.

Palpandian Murugesan

Palpandian Murugesan received the B.E degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Anna University. Chennai, India in 2006, the M.E degree in Power Electronics and Drives from Anna University in 2009, and the Ph.D degree from Anna University in 2020. He is currently working as an Associate Professor at Annasaheb Dange college of Engineering and Technology, Ashta, Sangli, Maharashtra, India. His current research interest includes the Solar PV system and converters.

Pravin Murugesan

Pravin Murugesan received his B.E. degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Anna University in 2021. He has completed his M.E. degree in Power Systems Engineering from Anna University in 2023. He has published 19 research articles in several reputed international journals. His current research interests include Solar PV, Solar Still.