Enhancing photovoltaic array performance through the integration of perturb and observe MPPT and novel ladder configuration

This paper explores the effectiveness of different configurations of photovoltaic (PV) arrays, including the novel Ladder configuration, integrated with the Perturb and Observe (P&O) Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technique. The objective is to enhance efficiency, reliability, and power extraction in PV systems under Partial Shading Conditions (PSCs). The research evaluates traditional PV array configurations such as Total-Cross-Tied (TCT), Series-Parallel (SP), Honeycomb (HC), and Bridge-Linked (BL) alongside the new Ladder configuration, each combined with the P&O MPPT method. The paper evaluates key performance metrics such as efficiency under PSCs, fill factor, global maximum power (P_MP), mismatch power loss, and the percentage of MPP tracked, offering a detailed assessment of each configuration's response to shading conditions. Simulations are performed in MATLAB and are validated using PV Chroma with Hardware in loop setup.

The results demonstrate that the Ladder configuration achieves a tracking efficiency of 99.54 % under long and narrow shading conditions, significantly reducing mismatch power loss and improving overall system efficiency. Additionally, Ladder exhibits comparable efficiency to TCT while requiring approximately 43 % fewer crosslinks in an 8 × 8 array and 33 % fewer crosslinks in a 7 × 7 array, reducing interconnection complexity and enhancing installation feasibility for large-scale PV systems. These findings, supported by hardware experiments on a prototype PV system, confirm that the integration of P&O MPPT with the Ladder configuration optimally balances power extraction, wiring complexity, and performance stability under diverse shading scenarios. The paper highlights the importance of strategic PV array topology selection in enhancing PV system performance under dynamic environmental conditions.