Experimental investigation of serial parallel and total-cross-tied configuration photovoltaic under partial shading conditions

Abstract

One of issues about array photovoltaic (PV) is partial shading conditions. It can cause mismatch between the modules, leading to undesirable effects such as reduction in power generated and hot spots. Partial shading is caused by passing clouds, tree shadows, nearby building, tower, poles, etc. So the power output is less than expected value. It is not only depended a number of shaded modules but also depended on array PV configuration. This paper analyzed two array PV configurations i.e., series-parallel (SP) configuration and total-cross-tied (TCT) configuration under partial shading conditions. In this experiment SP configuration (2×2 sized) and T CT configuration (2×2 sized) was made and conducted analyzed on partial shading conditions with several patterns. Both SP configuration and TCT configuration at measuring are performed at the same time for each pattern. The reference for measurement is solar irradiance at 1000 W/m2. Based on the results obtained the performance of TCT configuration is better than SP configuration under partial shading condition. Because TCT configuration is more internal connection than SP configuration, which provides more current paths so reducing power losses.