Fuzzy Based Reconfiguration Method Using Intelligent Partial Shadow Detection in PV Arrays*

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are the most commonly used methods. PV systems have the most potential and efficiency between the species of renewable energy. However, this method can be subjected to a loss of energy gain when shading occurs on the PV panels. To overcome this negative situation, a reconfiguration process in the PV systems has been developed. Through this method, the power losses caused by the shading of the panel on the system are attempting to be minimized . Without any change in the physical location of the pre-shading panels, the panels are co nfigured with electrical connectors. In this study, a new efficient and intelligent reconfiguration method is proposed. The short-circuit current values of the PV panels are detected using current sensors. Short-circuit current values vary in proportion to the shadings that occur on the panels. A fuzzy calculation is carried out taking the current values into account as the system input parameters. The optimal connection structure is detected by using the fuzzy output values. The result is then applied to the system by switching the matrix circuit. The proposed method has been tested in different shadowing conditions and has been seen as a gain ratio. Experiments performed in real-time availability have confirmed the suitability of the method for different sized systems.

Keywords

• PV Arrays
• Shadow Detection
• Reconfiguration
• Partial Shading Diagnosis
• Fuzzy Logic
• Switching Matrix