An accurate partial shading detection and global maximum power point tracking technique based on image processing

This paper aims to detect the existence of partial shading conditions on the PV array and to estimate the vicinity of the global maximum power point for shaded PV modules based solely on the captured image of the PV modules. Detecting the existence of partial shading is based on comparing the average image pixel intensity for each PV module to find any mismatch in the incident irradiance. Estimating the incident irradiance level of each PV module is based on the camera response function with the help of a reference module. Furthermore, after estimating the irradiance intensity on the modules, we used the captured image for each PV module to detect the shaded area percentage. Detect the presence of partial shading conditions and estimating the position of the Global Maximum Power Point under partial shading was achieved with simple and cheap procedure yet effective at various shading patterns regardless of the environmental circumstances.