Non-Symmetrical (NS) Reconfiguration Techniques to Enhance Power Generation Capability of Solar PV System

Abstract

At present, primary power generation depends on non-renewable energy resources, which will become extinct. Solar is the best option in renewable energy sources to achieve clean and green power extraction. Solar PV transforms light energy into electrical energy. However, the output power of solar PV changes with solar insolation. It is also affected by environmental factors and the shading effect. One of the key factors that can reduce the PV system output power is partial shading condition (PSC). The reduction in power output not only depends on shaded region but also depends on pattern of shading and physical position of shaded modules in the array. Due to PSCs, mismatch losses are induced between the shaded modules which can cause several peaks in the output power-voltage (P-V) characteristic. This article describes the non-symmetrical reconfiguration technique and compares it with the primary total cross tied connection. The performance of non-symmetrical reconfiguration techniques is evaluated and compared in terms of global maximum power (GMP), voltage and currents at GMP, open and short circuit voltage and currents, mismatch power loss (MPL), fill factor, efficiency, and number of local maximum power peaks (LMPPs) on a 9 × 9 PV array.