Reconfiguration analysis of photovoltaic arrays based on parameters estimation

• Published in: Simulation modelling practice and theory Vol. 35; pp. 50 - 68
• Main Authors: Bastidas-Rodriguez, Juan David, Ramos-Paja, Carlos Andres, Saavedra-Montes, Andres Julian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.06.2013
• Subjects: Arrays; Computer simulation; Electric potential; Mathematical models; Mismatching; Parameter estimation; Photovoltaic; Photovoltaic cells; Reconfiguration; Series–parallel; Shadowing; Solar cells; Strings; Voltage; Photovoltaic; Parameter estimation; Model; Series–parallel; Mismatching; Shadowing; Reconfiguration
• ISSN: 1569-190X; 1878-1462
• DOI: 10.1016/j.simpat.2013.03.001

•Find the best series–parallel configuration from the current vs. ► voltage curves of each string.•Estimate the parameters of PV modules from a single voltage sweep of the array.•Proposed method validated using simulations and experimental measurements. A method to determine the photovoltaic (PV) series–parallel array configuration that provides the highest Global Maximum Power Point (GMPP) is proposed in this paper. Such a procedure was designed to only require measurements of voltage and current of each string, which avoids to perform experiments in each module. The ideal single-diode model parameters of each module in the string are obtained from the analysis of the voltage vs. current characteristics of the string. Using the estimated parameters, all feasible PV array configurations are evaluated to determine the array configuration that provides the highest GMPP. Finally, the proposed solution is validated using simulations and experimental data.