A Dynamic Electrical Scheme for the Optimal Reconfiguration of PV Modules under Non-Homogeneous Solar Irradiation

Abstract:

This paper presents a strategy for the maximization of the output power of photovoltaic (PV) systems under non homogeneous solar irradiation by means of automatic reconfiguration of the PV arrays layout. The innovation of the proposed approach is the employment of a simple Dynamic Electrical Scheme (DES), allowing a large number of possible modules interconnection, to be installed between the PV generator and the inverter. The models of the PV generator and of the DES have been realized and simulated with Simulink (Dynamic System Simulation for MATLAB). The attained experimental results appear to be quite interesting in terms of the attainable benefit in power and thus energy terms. The limited calculation times of the reconfiguration algorithm allows the application of the DES for the real time adaptation of the configuration to the changing weather conditions or other causes of non-uniform solar irradiation. Moreover, the results confirm that, in case of non uniform solar irradiation, this approach allows to attain considerably much better results than those attainable with a static configuration.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 197)
• Pages: 768-777
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.197.768
• Online since: September 2012
• Authors: Roberto Candela, Eleonora Riva Sanseverino, Pietro Romano, Marzia Cardinale, Domenico Musso
• Keywords: Mismatch for Photovoltaic Modules, Optimization, Reconfiguration

References

[1] J. -M. Kwon, K. -H. Nam, B. -H. Kwon, Photovoltaic Power Conditioning System With Line Connection, Trans. On Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp.1048-1054, June (2006).

DOI: 10.1109/tie.2006.878329

[2] Yeong-Chau Kuo, Tsorng-Juu Liang, Jiann-Fuh Chen, A high-efficiency single-phase three-wire photovoltaic energy conversion system, Trans. On Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 1, pp.116-122, Feb. (2003).

DOI: 10.1109/tie.2002.807252

[3] Nobuyoshi Mutoh, Takayoshi Inoue, A Control Method to Charge Series-Connected Ultraelectric Double-Layer Capacitors Suitable for Photovoltaic Generation Systems Combining MPPT Control Method, Trans. On Industrial Electronics, vol. 54, no. 1, pp.374-383, Feb. (2007).

DOI: 10.1109/tie.2006.885149

[4] W. Xiao, W. G. Dunford, P. R. Palmer, A. Capel, Application of Centered Differentiation and Steepest Descent to Maximum Power Point Tracking, Trans. On Industrial Electronics, vol. 54, no. 4, pp.2539-2549, Aug (2007).

DOI: 10.1109/tie.2007.899922

[5] C. -T. Pan, J. -Y. Chen, C. -P. Chu, and Y. -S. Huang, A fast maximum power point tracker for photovoltaic power systems, in Proc. IEEE IECON, San Jose, CA, vol. 1, p.390–393.

DOI: 10.1109/iecon.1999.822229

[6] W. Xiao, M.G.J. Lind, W.G. Dunford, A. Capel, Real-Time Identification of Optimal Operating Points in Photovoltaic Power Systems, Trans. On Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp.1017-1026, June (2006).

DOI: 10.1109/tie.2006.878355

[7] Development of a suitable model for characterizing photovoltaic arrays with shaded solar cells Solar Energy Volume: 81, Issue: 8, August, 2007, pp.977-992.

DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2006.12.001

[8] Woyte, A., Nijs, J., Belmans, R., 2003. Partial shadowing of photovoltaic arrays with different system configurations: literature review and field test results. Solar Energy 74, 217–233.

DOI: 10.1016/s0038-092x(03)00155-5

[9] G. Velasco, J.J. Negroni, F. Guinjoan and R. Piqué. Irradiance Equalization Method for Output Power Optimization in Plant Oriented Grid-Connected PV Generators, 11th European Conference on Power Electronics and Applications, 2005. (EPE 05). Dresden (Germany), September (2005).

DOI: 10.1109/epe.2005.219300

[10] Auttawaitkul, Y.; Pungsiri, B.; Chammongthai, K.; Okuda, M.; A method of appropriate electrical array reconfiguration management for photovoltaic powered car, Circuits and Systems, 1998. IEEE APCCAS 1998. The 1998 IEEE Asia-Pacific Conference on 24-27 Nov. 1998 Page(s): 201 – 204.

DOI: 10.1109/apccas.1998.743713

[11] Salameh, Z.M.; Liang, C. Optimum switching points for array reconfiguration controller, Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1990., Conference Record of the Twenty First IEEE Volume , Issue , 21-25 May 1990 Page(s): 971 – 976 vol. 2.

DOI: 10.1109/pvsc.1990.111762

[12] Candela, R.; Di Dio, V.; Riva Sanseverino, E.; Romano, P.; Reconfiguration Techniques of Partial Shaded PV Systems for the Maximization of Electrical Energy Production" International Conference on Clean Electrical Power, 2007. ICCEP , 07. 21-23 May 2007 Page(s): 716 – 719.

DOI: 10.1109/iccep.2007.384290

[13] G. Velasco, J.J. Negroni, F. Guinjoan and R. Piqué. Energy Generation in PV Grid-Connected Systems: A Comparative Study Depending on the PV Generator Configuration'. IEEE International Symposium on Industrial Electronics, 2005. (ISIE 05). Vol. 3, páginas 1025 - 1030. Dubrovnik (Croatia), June 2005.K. Elissa, "Title of paper if known, unpublished.

DOI: 10.1109/isie.2005.1529064

[14] Charles G. Wright: Simulation of Solar Cell Properties with Electronic Circuit Simulation Software, Chuck Wright Consulting LLC, Round Rock, Texas.

[15] Gregg, T. Parker, R. Swenson: A real world examination of PV system design and performances, 31th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, Orlando (2005).

DOI: 10.1109/pvsc.2005.1488448

[16] N. J. C. M. van der Borg, M. J. Jansen: Energy loss due to shading in a BIPV application, 3rd Word Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, Osaka, Japan May 11-18 (2000).

[17] G. Velasco-Quesada, F. Guinjoan-Gispert, R. Pique-Lopez, M. Roman-Lumbreras, A. Conesa-Roca; Industrial Electronics: Electrical PV Array Reconfiguration Strategy for Energy Extraction Improvement in Grid-Connected PV Systems,. IEEE Transactions onVolume: 56, Issue: 11Digital Object Identifier: 10. 1109/TIE. 2009. 2024664 Publication Year: 2009.

DOI: 10.1109/tie.2009.2024664