A Scalable Hierarchical Dynamic PV Array Reconfiguration under Partial Shading

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) arrays are often affected by partial shading (PS), which can significantly reduce their power output. Dynamic reconfiguration is a promising technique for mitigating the negative effects of PS by adjusting the electrical connections of the PV modules in real-time. This paper introduces a hierarchical-based switching block scheme for the dynamic reconfiguration of PV arrays under PS conditions. With the aim of mitigating the negative impact of PS on PV arrays, the proposed system employs a low complexity and easily scalable architecture, making it well-suited for practical applications. Comparative assessments against conventional configurations such as bridge-linked (BL), total-cross-tied (TCT), and series–parallel (SP) reveal superior energy harvesting efficiency for the proposed system under various shading conditions. The hierarchical switching block architecture, featuring multiple levels of switching blocks, enables efficient and flexible reconfiguration of the PV array, even in the presence of complex shading patterns. Through extensive simulations, the system consistently outperforms conventional configurations by adapting effectively to changing shading patterns and optimizing the PV array’s output. The proposed switching block (SB) reconfiguration technique significantly outperforms existing methods like TCT, Sudoku, dynamic proposals, and Magic Square in terms of both power generation (up to 42.52% increase) and efficiency (up to 42.13% improvement) under diverse partial shading conditions. The proposed hierarchical-based switching block scheme thus presents a promising solution for enhancing the dynamic reconfiguration of PV arrays under PS conditions, offering a balance between low complexity, scalability, and superior energy harvesting efficiency for practical applications in the realm of solar energy.

Estimation of the Region of Attraction of Polynomial Swing Equation Using Sum of Squares Theory

“…In the community of power systems, as renewable energy sources become integrated into the grid, the advantages of photovoltaic and other forms of generation are becoming increasingly apparent [16], leading to a greater emphasis on stability analysis methods. Thus, the SOS method has also attracted considerable attention.…”