Joint Operation between a PSO-Based Global MPP Tracker and a PV Module Array Configuration Strategy under Shaded or Malfunctioning Conditions

Pi-Yun Chen, Kuei-Hsiang Chao and Bo-Jyun Liao
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Pi-Yun Chen: Department of Electrical Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 41170, Taiwan
Kuei-Hsiang Chao: Department of Electrical Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 41170, Taiwan
Bo-Jyun Liao: Department of Electrical Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 41170, Taiwan

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: This paper aims to present a smart, particle swarm optimization (PSO)-based, real time configuration strategy for a photovoltaic (PV) module array in the event of shadow cast on a PV module(s) and/or module failure as an effective approach to power generation efficiency elevation. At the first step, the respective maximum output power levels provided by a normal operating array at various levels of irradiation and module surface temperatures are measured and entered as references into a database. Subsequently, the maximum output power (MPP) level, tracked by a MPP tracker, is feedbacked for a comparison with an aforementioned reference as a way to tell whether there is either a shadow or a malfunction event on a PV module(s). Once an abnormal operation is detected, the presented smart configuration algorithm is performed to reconfigure the PV module array such that the array is operated at the global MPP as intended. Furthermore, by use of a PIC microcontroller that is a family of microcontrollers made by Microchip Technology for compact implementation, this study is experimentally validated as an effective approach to locating the global MPP at all events.

Keywords: particle swarm optimization; photovoltaic module array; maximum power point tracker; shaded or malfunctioning; configuration strategy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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