Performance Enhancement of Partially Shaded Solar Photovoltaic Array Using Grouping Technique

Abstract

The energy yield of the photovoltaic (PV) system is reduced to a greater extent under shaded conditions. Reconfiguration and repositioning techniques demand more number of sensors, switches, and an efficient control algorithm and are well suited for rapidly changing shade conditions. However, for fixed shading that is common in urban rooftop installations, where the shading is partial and usually caused by nearby structures, a simple, yet effective technique is necessary. This paper addresses the issue by grouping the panels based on shade intensity and the merits of asymmetrical multilevel inverter (AMLI) are utilized as the working voltage of each group is different.