Detailed Performance Analysis of SPV Array Configurations under Partial Shading Conditions

Abstract

The primary objective of this work is to present a detailed performance analysis of various 2×2 solar photovoltaic (SPV) array configurations, i.e., series (S), parallel (P), series-parallel (SP), and total-cross-tied (TCT) under different shading conditions. It may be noted that a good amount of literature already exists on this problem. Various performance parameters such as peak power output, the voltage at maximum power point (MPP), current at MPP, mismatch losses, relative power losses, and the fill factor have been reported. But, a quick survey reveals that all these parameters, though very important, have not been investigated together, leading to a complete performance investigation. This very fact has been the primary motivation to take up this work. In addition, a systematic procedure is developed for designing and developing various interconnection schemes to thoroughly analyze most of the performance parameters for different shading conditions. This work is expected to be very useful for beginners, particularly those who want further research in this area. The presented investigation revealed the following. The series configuration offers lower current and power outputs under partial shading conditions (PSC) while having multiple peak power-voltage (P-V) curves leading to maximum power point tracking (MPPT) problem. Further, the parallel configuration has a single peak in the P- V curve leading to better performance than other configurations under PSC. However, it also suffers from lower voltage output. The SP configuration offered better performance than the above two schemes under PSC. The best configuration has been the TCT yielding moderate current and voltage outputs at MPP, higher power output at MPP, lower relative power losses, lower mismatch losses, and improved fill factor. Therefore, the TCT configuration has better performance than other interconnection schemes under PSC.