Open AccessProof of concept for a novel and smart shade resilient photovoltaic module
Author(s) -
Golroodbari Sayedeh Zahra Mirbagheri,
Waal Anne Celeste,
Sark Wilfried G.J.H.M.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
iet renewable power generation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.005
H-Index - 76
ISSN - 1752-1424
DOI - 10.1049/iet-rpg.2018.6127
Subject(s) - shading , converters , photovoltaic system , matlab , computer science , power (physics) , voltage , maximum power principle , computer hardware , simulation , electrical engineering , engineering , physics , computer graphics (images) , quantum mechanics , operating system
In this study, the performance of a shade resilient smart module is studied under a dynamic shading pattern. A smart module architecture is developed to mitigate the non‐linear shading effect on the module performance. Partial shading decreases the output current of the shaded cells and affects the unshaded cells’ output power. After distributing the module cells into small groups, based on a least square support vector machine optimisation method, DC–DC buck converters compensate the decreased current levels, by adjusting the output current and voltage level from any individual group of cells. The system is simulated in the MATLAB Simulink environment, and the output results are presented. Results show that the module performs efficiently and output power of the unshaded groups of cells never decreased because of the effect of shading on the other groups. Additionally, the maximum output power is harvested from all groups simultaneously. Prototype hardware is designed and built to implement the proof of concept. The real‐time results of hardware testing show that the smart module performs as expected and mitigates partially shaded conditions by extracting maximum power from each group, regardless of other groups shading condition.