Novel Array Reconfiguration Technique for Enhancing Photovoltaic Array Performance Under Partial Shading Conditions

Partial shading is a significant limitation for photovoltaic (PV) systems, as it reduces their overall efficiency. This occurs because when there is partial shadowing, the PV array gets uneven levels of irradiance which is leading to Mismatch Loss for PV modules in a PV string for series connection. To mitigate the adverse effects of partial shading on PV arrays, various physical relocation techniques have been explored. In this study, a novel approach called Puzzle-Based Reconfiguration (PBR) has been introduced for the physical reconfiguration of PV modules in a photovoltaic array. This paper primarily focuses to reduce partial shading impact and thereby enhances power output of arrays. The effectiveness of PBR method has been compared to traditional array arrangements under diverse shadowing patterns. To evaluate the performance of PBR arrangements, different performance parameters such as Global Maximum Power, Fill Factor, and Mismatch Loss have been calculated. This comprehensive analysis sheds light on the advantages of the PBR physical reconfiguration technique in addressing the challenges posed by partial shading, ultimately enhancing the performance of PV arrays having less Mismatch Loss compared to other conventional techniques. For the analysis purpose, a 6 × 6 PV array has been designed in MATLAB-Simulink platform.