Power optimisation of small scale SPV array using field programmable reconfiguration topology for dynamic non-uniform illumination state

• Published in: Journal of engineering (Stevenage, England) Vol. 2020; no. 6; pp. 197 - 206
• Main Authors: Prakash, Surya, Rastogi, Swati, Gupte, Shaunak M, Duttagupta, Siddhartha P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Institution of Engineering and Technology 01.06.2020; Wiley
• Subjects: 3D cloud coverage; bird droppings; cloud density; dynamic nonuniform illumination state; embedded devices; field programmable reconfiguration method; field programmable reconfiguration strategy; field programmable reconfiguration topology; Matlab; maximum power point trackers; maximum power-point identification; moisture-dust accumulation; multiple NUI patterns; nested sub-array scheme; nonuniform illumination condition; nonuniformly incident solar radiation; NUI effect mitigation; NUI impact; NUI pattern; optical sensors; panel peripheral light sensors; peripheral sensor matrix; power optimisation; power output; Research Article; small scale SPV array; solar cell arrays; solar light intensity; solar power; solar-photovoltaic array; SPV array architecture; SPV array matrix; SPV panel series–parallel connections; switching network system; switching networks; terrestrial structures; voltage curve; NUI pattern; solar-photovoltaic array; SPV array matrix; nonuniform illumination condition; maximum power-point identification; power optimisation; moisture-dust accumulation; peripheral sensor matrix; switching network system; field programmable reconfiguration method; embedded devices; bird droppings; solar cell arrays; power output; 3D cloud coverage; dynamic nonuniform illumination state; small scale SPV array; voltage curve; solar light intensity; solar power; multiple NUI patterns; NUI effect mitigation; optical sensors; field programmable reconfiguration topology; nested sub-array scheme; panel peripheral light sensors; maximum power point trackers; field programmable reconfiguration strategy; switching networks; NUI impact; terrestrial structures; SPV array architecture; cloud density; nonuniformly incident solar radiation; SPV panel series–parallel connections; Matlab
• ISSN: 2051-3305; 2051-3305
• DOI: 10.1049/joe.2018.5183

The power output of the solar-photovoltaic (SPV) array is affected significantly by non-uniformly incident solar radiation. Such non-uniform illumination (NUI) condition(s) occur due to shadows of terrestrial structures (like buildings, trees, etc.) or through the creation of hotspot(s) in the contribution of moisture-dust accumulation, bird droppings, etc. which are predictable in nature. Furthermore, projected images of cloud(s) also cause NUI impact which is unpredictable and is/are subject to variables such as 3-D cloud coverage, cloud density, wind speed, etc. Literature also affirms that SPV array architecture plays a critical role in NUI effect mitigation. The novelty of this paper is the introduction of switching network system with the flexibility in the arrangement of the SPV panel series–parallel connections as per solar light intensity, NUI pattern, and data obtained from panel's peripheral light sensors. The field programmable reconfiguration strategy proposed here will get the power vs voltage curve and current vs voltage curve to identify maximum power-point. Multiple NUI patterns are simulated in MATLAB with variance in SPV array matrix and peripheral sensor matrix. This proposed reconfiguration method is cost-effective and includes embedded devices that could be widely implemented for domestic as well as commercial applications with the nested sub-array scheme.