Analytical approach to locate multiple power peaks of photovoltaic array under partial shading condition and hybrid array configuration schemes to reduce mismatch losses

ABSTRACT

Partial shading (PS) is a major challenge faced by photovoltaic (PV) arrays invoking mismatch loss (ML). In this paper, the effect of PS on PV array performance is analyzed through experimental results and MATLAB simulation. The effect of PS on PV characteristics is investigated in two conditions. In condition one, modules are not coupled with bypass diodes, and in condition two modules are equipped with bypass diodes. New mathematical equations have been derived to calculate ML for condition one, and for condition two; locations of power peaks are identified in the power-voltage (P-V) curve. For both the conditions, theoretical results are verified through experimental results. From the obtained results it is observed that the error in loss calculation for condition one is less than 2% and for condition two, power peaks are being identified analytically with less than 3% error. To reduce the effect of PS on PV array, different configurations of the PV array were considered in the earlier literature. Among all, Total Cross Tied (TCT) PV array configuration is popularly used for its improved performance. To curtail the cost of TCT, two-hybrid array configurations such as TCT with bridge link (TCT+BL) and TCT with honey-comb (TCT+HC) are proposed here. Performances of different array configurations are analyzed considering various parameters such as global maximum power point (GMPP), currents and voltages at GMPP, the number of local peaks, shading losses, and mismatch losses. It is observed that proposed array configurations outshine in performance by reducing the amount of ML and the number of local peaks in the P-V graph, mainly for the stochastic shading patterns.

KEYWORDS:

• PV array modeling
• location of power peaks
• PV array configurations
• partial shading condition (PSC)
• shading loss (SL)
• mismatch loss (ML)
• hybrid array configuration

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alivarani Mohapatra

Dr. Alivarani Mohapatra received her master’s degree from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi and Ph.D. degree from National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, both in Electrical Engineering. She has more than 17 years of experience in teaching and research. Currently, she is working as an Assistant Professor in the School of Electrical Engineering; KIIT Deemed to be University. She is a member of IEEE, life member of ISTE, member of Institution of Engineers (India). Her research interest includes modeling, analysis and control of photovoltaic energy system.

Byamakesh Nayak

Dr. Byamakesh Nayak received his master’s degree from Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Banaras, India, and the Ph.D. degree from Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, both in electrical engineering. He is working as a Professor and Dean with the School of Electrical Engineering, KIIT Deemed to be University. He has vast knowledge of electrical engineering with industry experience. His main research interests include power electronics and electrical drives, hybrid electric vehicle, renewable energy, and application of PIC microcontrollers in special drive applications.

Kanungo Barada Mohanty

Dr Kanungo Barada Mohanty received his M. Tech. and Ph.D. degrees from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur in Electrical Engineering. He is a Professor of Electrical Engineering at National Institute of Technology, Rourkela. He has 30 years of teaching and research experience. He is Senior Member of IEEE, Fellow of Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE) and Fellow of Institution of Engineers (India). His research interests include vector control and direct torque control of induction machines, wind and solar power generation systems, and applications of fuzzy control and sliding mode control.