Performance improvement of dynamic PV array under partial shade conditions using M2 algorithm

Photovoltaic (PV) plants operating under the partial shade condition show an imbalance in the array irradiance and produce less output power. To counteract this problem, reconfigurable PV array or dynamic PV array (DPVA) for changing the inter-connections of PV modules to balance the irradiance distribution has been proposed previously. This study introduces a new strategy, the maximum and minimum (M-2) algorithm, to identify global maximum irradiance configuration with a minimal number of interchanges among the PV modules. For the implementation of DPVA, this study introduces a double pole double throw (DPDT) switch network (SN) with less switch-count compared to a conventional SN. Simulations of PV array have been carried out on a 9 x 9 size PV array. Results are compared with the previously reported algorithms. Further, cost-benefit analysis of a 10 kW(P) grid-tied DPVA plant has been presented. Experimental tests on 4 x 2 size DPVA under different shade conditions are conducted to validate the proposed algorithm and DPDT SN.