Advanced SuDoKu-Based Reconfiguration Strategies for Maximum Power Extraction From Partially Shaded Solar Photovoltaic Array

Abstract

Individual performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules is contravened by mismatch losses which result in blockage in most of the solar power generated by the PV array (PVA). Partial shading conditions (PSCs) are the main causes of these losses. Several techniques have been discussed to reduce the issues caused by PSCs. Reconfiguration techniques have been proven to be one of the most successful methods that help toward this cause. In this method, the location of PV module (PVM) in the PVA is reconfigured so that the shading effects get distributed throughout the entire array and, hence, maximizing the power output. Two novel reconfiguration patterns such as canonical SuDoKu (CS) and multi diagonal SuDoKu (MDS) for total cross tied (TCT) configuration have been put forth in this paper. This approach aims to rearrange the PVMs in the TCT array as per the fed-in patterns without causing a change in the internal electrical connections. Further parts of the paper focus on the comparison of the proposed pattern's performance with other pre-existing PVA arrangements such as, TCT, SuDoKu, optimal SuDoKu (OS), and modified SuDoku (MS) by taking into account the effects of global maximum power (GMP) point, mismatch power loss, fill factor, and performance ratio. The results obtained from the detailed analysis presented in this paper give proper evidence that, in many cases, the GMP is amplified in the CS and, in all cases, GMP is amplified in the proposed MDS PVA under different shading conditions.