626 IEEE JOURNAL OF EMERGING AND SELECTED TOPICS IN POWER ELECTRONICS, VOL. 04, NO.

2, JUNE 2016

Maximizing the Power Generation of

a Partially Shaded PV Array
Himanshu Sekhar Sahu, Student Member, IEEE, Sisir Kumar Nayak, Member, IEEE,
and Sukumar Mishra, Senior Member, IEEE

Abstract— As per energy efficiency of a photovoltaic (PV) the development of the technology, the installation cost of a
system is concerned, partial shading is an important issue. Under PV system will decrease in the future.
partial shading condition, the modules of a PV array receive Partial shading is one of the causes of decrease of the
different levels of solar irradiation, so the power generation of
a PV system decreases. The power–voltage characteristic of a power generation of a PV array. It occurs due to the moving
partially shaded PV array contains multiple local maxima, and clouds, deposition of sand or dust, and shadows of nearby
the global maximum power point is one of them. The losses in trees or house. The modules of a PV array receive nonuniform
a PV array depend on the shading pattern and the physical solar irradiation under partial shading conditions, and hence
location of shaded modules. This paper presents the Futoshiki there is a mismatch between the modules current [12]. Since
puzzle pattern for the arrangement of the modules of a PV array
under partial shading condition, ensuring the enhancement of the shaded modules generate less current than the unshaded
the power generation with respect to totally crossed tired (TCT) modules and the current of shaded modules limits the output
structure. In this method, the physical locations of modules in current of a PV array, the power generation of a PV array under
a TCT structure PV array are rearranged without changing partial shading reduces. The modules of a PV array receive
the electrical connection of the modules. A comparison between different levels of solar irradiation under partial shading con-
the power generation in TCT and Futoshiki puzzle pattern
configuration is presented. It is demonstrated that the power dition, which may give multiple local maxima in power–
generated by a PV array in the Futoshiki configuration method is voltage characteristics [13]. Under partial shading condition,
enhanced, and mismatch loss (ML) is minimized under different different maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms
shading patterns by theoretical, simulation, and experimental are used to track the local maximum power point (LMPP)
results. of a PV array [14], and also different methods are pro-
Index Terms— Global maximum power point (GMPP), posed to track the global maximum power point (GMPP) of
mismatch power loss, partial shading, photovoltaic (PV) array
configuration, power enhancement.
a PV array [15]–[20].
There are four different types of topology of a PV array in
the PV plants which are series–parallel (SP), bridge link (BL),
I. I NTRODUCTION total cross tied (TCT), and honey comb (HC) [21]. The

P HOTOVOLTAIC (PV) power system is growing rapidly

in the present scenario, because of the solar energy
source is free from environmental pollution and has low
power generated in TCT configuration is higher than the other
three configurations [22], [23]. The PV mismatch losses (MLs)
for three different configurations, such as SP, BL, and TCT
maintenance. At the present scenario, among all the renewable are presented [24]. The power electronics equalizer is used
energy sources, solar energy is reliable, clean, recyclable, to increase the power generation of a PV array under partial
and inexhaustible [1]–[6]. Many countries, such as India, shading condition [25]. In a large PV plant, a large number of
China, Britain, Italy, and USA, are giving more importance switches and a complex control algorithm are needed for the
to install a PV power plant in the past few years to fulfill application of power electronics equalizer. The power gener-
the energy demand of their countries. To fulfill the target ated by the PV array is enhanced using the electrical recon-
of 3% contribution of solar power to the power grid by 2022, figuration technique under partial shading condition [26]–[28].
India requires solar capacity of 34 000 MW [7]. However, the In the electrical array reconfiguration (EAR) method, electrical
major issues of a PV system are high installation cost and connection of PV modules is changed dynamically accord-
low energy efficiency [8]–[11], but it is expected that, with ing to the shading condition. Therefore, during the practical
implementation of a large PV system, a large number of
Manuscript received April 28, 2015; revised June 30, 2015 and sensors and switches are required for changing the electrical
September 13, 2015; accepted October 23, 2015. Date of publication Novem-
ber 5, 2015; date of current version April 29, 2016. Recommended for connections of PV modules. In order to eliminate the above
publication by Associate Editor Henry S. H. Chung. limitations, in this paper, a Futoshiki configuration technique
H. S. Sahu and S. K. Nayak are with the Department of Electronics is proposed to change the physical location of the modules of a
and Electrical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, India (e-mail:
[email protected]; [email protected]). PV array in TCT configuration without changing the electrical
S. Mishra is with the Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Delhi, connection of the modules. This configuration enables the
Delhi 110016, India (e-mail: [email protected]). distribution of shading effect over the entire array, and reduces
Color versions of one or more of the figures in this paper are available
online at http://ieeexplore.ieee.org. the shading of the modules in the same row, which ensures
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/JESTPE.2015.2498282 the enhancement of the power generation of a PV array under
2168-6777 © 2015 IEEE. Personal use is permitted, but republication/redistribution requires IEEE permission.
See http://www.ieee.org/publications_standards/publications/rights/index.html for more information.
SAHU et al.: MAXIMIZING THE POWER GENERATION OF A PARTIALLY SHADED PV ARRAY 627

Fig. 1. Single-diode model of a PV module.

TABLE I
D ATASHEET VALUES OF PV M ODULE AT STC (1000 W/m2 AND 25 ◦ C)

Fig. 2. (a) TCT configuration of a PV array. (b) Futoshiki configuration of

a PV array.

on the solar irradiation G is calculated as follows [23]:

 
G
partial shading condition. The performance of a 5×5 PV array I = K G Im = × Im (3)
under different shading conditions demonstrated that the power G STC
output of Futoshiki configuration with respect to TCT has where Im is the current generated by the module at STC
increased. irradiation G STC (=1000 W/m2 ) and standard temperature
This paper is organized as follows: Section II describes (=25 °C). Using Kirchhoff’s voltage law, the voltage of the
details of the TCT and Futoshiki configuration of a PV array. array is calculated using the following equation:
The simulation results and experimental results of a 5 × 5 PV

5
array under different shading conditions are presented in V = Vmx (4)
Section III. The conclusion is presented in Section IV. x=1

II. D ESCRIPTION OF D IFFERENT where Vmx is the voltage of the xth row of a PV array.
PV A RRAY C ONFIGURATIONS
C. Futoshiki Configuration of a PV Array
A. Electrical Modeling of PV Module
Futoshiki is a logic-based puzzle for an n × n square grid.
An equivalent model of a PV module is shown in Fig. 1. In this puzzle, the number 1 to n is placed in such a way that
It consists of a current source, a diode, and series and shunt each row and column of a square grid contains the digit 1 to
resistances. n without repeating any number. During the placement of the
The current–voltage relation of the PV module is given in digits in the square grid, the digit must respect the initially
   
Vpv + Im Rs Vpv + Im Rs specified inequality constraint between two adjacent numbers,
Im = Iph − Io exp −1 − and hence the puzzle has a unique solution. Linear program-
Ns Vt Rsh
(1) ming approach is used to generate the proper logic Futoshiki
puzzle, which always contains a unique solution [29].
where Im is the current generated by the module, Iph is the A Futoshiki puzzle pattern of a 5 × 5 PV array is
photogenerated current, Io is the dark saturation current, Vpv is shown in Fig. 3(a). In this pattern, the row position of a
the output voltage, Rs and Rsh are the series and parallel 5 × 5 PV array is arranged using the digits 1 to 5, as shown
resistance, respectively, Ns is the number of cells connected in Table II(b), and this arrangement shows that there is no
in series, and Vt is the junction thermal voltage, which is repetition of digits 1 to 5 in each row and each column
given in of a PV array. During partial shading condition, the shaded
kT A modules in a PV array will be dispersed in such a way that, for
Vt = (2) any Futoshiki puzzle patterns, the low current in the row and
q
the output voltage of an array will remain the same. Therefore,
where k is Boltzman’s constant, T is the junction operating
the output power, i.e., the product of low current and output
temperature, and A is the diode quality factor.
voltage, will remain the same. Therefore, in the present
The specification of the PV module (make: Askhaya
analysis, a particular Futoshiki puzzle pattern has been chosen.
Solar Pvt. Ltd, India) at standard test condition (STC),
The modules of a PV array in TCT configuration [Fig. 2(a)]
as shown in Table I, is considered for the study.
are rearranged using the Futoshiki configuration technique,
without changing the electrical connection of the modules
B. TCT Configuration of a PV Array under partial shading condition, as shown in Fig. 2(b). In this
The TCT configuration of a 5 × 5 PV array is shown arrangement, the module 42 (fourth row, second column) is
in Fig. 2(a). The current produced by a module which depends physically placed on the first row second column, and the
628 IEEE JOURNAL OF EMERGING AND SELECTED TOPICS IN POWER ELECTRONICS, VOL. 04, NO. 2, JUNE 2016

Fig. 3. (a) Futoshiki arrangement of a 5 × 5 grid. (b) Different types of

shading conditions.
TABLE II
D IFFERENT C ONFIGURATIONS OF A 5 × 5 PV A RRAY.
(a) TCT. (b) F UTOSHIKI

module 15 is physically placed on the second row fifth column Fig. 4. 1 MW, 750 V, 25 × 160 large PV array assembled by a 6.25 kW,
of a PV array without changing the electrical connections. 150 V, 5 × 5 subarray arranged by the proposed method.
The modules of the same row in the TCT configuration are Whenever shading occurs in a 25 × 160 PV array, the shade
moved to different rows in the proposed configuration of the is dispersed in the subarray which ensures the enhancement
array without changing the column position. Thus, it enables of the power generation. Therefore, the proposed technique
to decrease the shading effect in the same row and to enhance can be applied for large square or rectangular PV array for
the current in the same row. Hence, bypass panels are reduced, the enhancement of the power generation compared with the
and the power generated by a PV array is increased under TCT configuration during shading condition.
partial shading conditions. The voltage and current equations For the validation of power enhancement of a PV array in
of the proposed configuration remain the same as in the TCT the proposed configuration with respect to the TCT configura-
configuration, because the electrical connection of a PV array tion in a real-time scenario, the monthly averaged daily on an
is unchanged. hourly basis solar irradiation during the sunshine time in hrs
The shading effect is distributed in both the EAR and the (5 to 18 hrs) in the month of May 2012 of Guwahati city, as
proposed method. However, the practical implementation of shown in Table III, is considered. MATLAB platform is used
reconfiguration method requires a number of sensors, switches, for different intensities of shading modules of a PV array, and
and a control algorithm, because the electrical connection the effect of power generation of a PV array is demonstrated.
of the modules is changed dynamically according to the Assuming some of the modules of a PV array receive 40% of
shading conditions. However, the practical implementation of unshaded solar irradiation (USI) [i.e., shaded solar irradiation
the proposed method does not require sensors, switches, and (SSI)] in the presence of neighborhood obstacle, the shaded
a control algorithm, because the electrical connection of the modules for each hour from 9 to 15 hrs are represented by
PV modules remains fixed. For the practical implementation different symbols, as shown in Fig. 5.
of the Futoshiki configuration for the enhancement of the From Fig. 6, it is seen that there is a significant power
power generation in the shading condition, the modules of enhancement in the proposed configuration with respect to
a PV array in TCT configuration need to be rearranged once the TCT configuration of a PV array under different types of
only, because of the same configuration holds effective for shading conditions from 9 to 15 hrs. Therefore, in this paper,
any shading condition. This rearrangement of the modules is four different standard shading conditions, such as short and
carried out only once by the PV plant installer at the time wide (SW), long and wide (LW), short and narrow (SN), and
of installation. As an illustration of the proposed method, long and narrow (LN) [22], are taken for the estimation of
a 1 MW, 750 V, 25 × 160 PV array which can be integrated power output of a PV array using the proposed method, as
with the microgrid or the distribution network is constructed shown in Fig. 3(b).
by assembling 160 numbers of 6.25 kW, 150 V, 5 × 5
subarray arranged using the proposed method. Hence, this
large PV system is viewed as a 5×32 array, as shown in Fig. 4. III. R ESULTS AND D ISCUSSION
At the time of installation, the modules of all subarray, i.e., A 5 × 5 PV array is considered for TCT connection
5 × 5 PV array, are rearranged using the proposed technique. under four different standard shading conditions, for the
SAHU et al.: MAXIMIZING THE POWER GENERATION OF A PARTIALLY SHADED PV ARRAY 629

TABLE III
S OLAR I RRADIATION ON H OURLY BASIS D URING S UNSHINE HRS

TABLE IV
S HADING PATTERN FOR D IFFERENT C ONFIGURATIONS IN SW S HADING
C ONDITION . (a) TCT. (b) F UTOSHIKI . (c) S HADE D ISPERSION
W ITH F UTOSHIKI

TCT [Table IV(a)] configuration is calculated as follows:

Fig. 5. Partial shading conditions occur on a 5 × 5 PV array an hourly basis
during sunshine hrs. 950
I R3 = I R2 = I R1 = 5 × Im = 4.75Im . (5)
1000
In rows 4 and 5 of a PV array, the first three and next
two modules receive solar irradiation of 600 and 220 W/m2 ,
respectively. Therefore, the current across rows 4 and 5 is
calculated as follows:
I R5 = I R4 = 3 × 0.6Im + 2 × 0.22Im = 2.24Im . (6)
The shading pattern of Futoshiki configuration [Table IV(b),
physically placed] is the same as shade dispersion with
Futoshiki configuration [Table IV(c), electrically connected],
because the rearrangement of Futoshiki configuration is called
shade dispersion with Futoshiki configuration. The current
across each row of a PV array for shade dispersion with
Fig. 6. Power versus sunshine hrs of a PV array. Futoshiki configuration is calculated using the following
equations:

demonstration of the proposed method for shade disper- I R1 = 3 × 0.95Im + 2 × 0.6Im = 4.05Im
sion. The location of GMPP, calculated theoretically, simu- I R2 = 3 × 0.95Im + 0.6Im + 0.22Im = 3.67Im
lated using MATLAB simulink, and estimated experimentally, I R5 = I R4 = I R3 = I R2 . (7)
is compared for both TCT and Futoshiki configurations.
Power–voltage and ML-shading factor (SF) characteristics of The power enhancement in the proposed configuration with
a 5 × 5 PV array for TCT and Futoshiki configuration are respect to TCT configuration in partial shading condition is
plotted in four different shading conditions. calculated as follows:
Pmax,(Futoshiki) − Pmax,(TCT)
%P(enhancement) = × 100.
A. Theoretical and Simulation Results Pmax,(TCT)
for Power Enhancement (8)
1) SW Shading Condition: In SW shading condition, three The voltages and row currents of a PV array in TCT and
different types of solar irradiation, such as 950, 600, and Futoshiki configuration are given in Table V. To obtain the
220 W/m2 , are received by the modules of a PV array, as GMPP of a PV array, the row having less solar irradiation,
shown in Table IV. It is necessary to calculate the current i.e., low current, is bypassed in increasing order of the module
across each row of a PV array and to determine the location current. If any row of the PV array is not bypassed, then
of GMPP. In the calculation of current, it is assumed that all the voltage of the array is 5Vm , neglecting small variation
the modules of a PV array are producing the same current Im of voltage in each row. If the PV modules of one row are
at STC. As all the modules of rows 1–3 receive the same bypassed, then the voltage of the array is 4Vm , neglect-
irradiation of 950 W/m2 , so the current across rows 1–3 in ing diode voltage. According to the number of bypassing
630 IEEE JOURNAL OF EMERGING AND SELECTED TOPICS IN POWER ELECTRONICS, VOL. 04, NO. 2, JUNE 2016

TABLE V
L OCATION OF GMPP IN TCT AND F UTOSHIKI C ONFIGURATION FOR SW S HADING C ONDITION

TABLE VI
S HADING PATTERN FOR D IFFERENT C ONFIGURATIONS IN LW S HADING
C ONDITION . (a) TCT. (b) F UTOSHIKI . (c) S HADE D ISPERSION
W ITH F UTOSHIKI

Fig. 7. Simulated power versus voltage curve for SW shading condition.

rows, the voltage of the array is calculated, which is given

in Table V. It is demonstrated that the location of GMPP
occurred at reduced voltage level, and it is far away from
MPP voltage when rows 4 and 5 are bypassed in the TCT
configuration of a PV array. Whereas, in the proposed config-
uration, the location of GMPP occurred at the MPP voltage
of an array. The generation of power at GMPP is 14.25 and
18.35Vm Im in TCT and Futoshiki configuration, respectively.
Thus, the power enhancement theoretically calculated in the
proposed configuration with respect to TCT configuration Fig. 8. Simulated power versus voltage curve for LW shading condition.
is 28.77%. To verify the theoretical results, the power–voltage
characteristics of a PV array are simulated using MATLAB, Therefore, the maximum power generated in the proposed
and the simulation results are shown in Fig. 7. configuration is 29.83% higher than the TCT configuration.
From Fig. 7, it is seen that the maximum power produced for It is observed that the GMPP occurs at lower voltage in
TCT and Futoshiki configuration is 40.07 and 53.93 W, respec- TCT configuration, but in Futoshiki configuration, the GMPP
tively. Hence, the maximum power produced in Futoshiki coincides with MPP voltage of a PV array.
configuration is 34.58% higher than the TCT configuration. 3) SN Shading Condition: In SN shading pattern, three
It is observed that the GMPP occurs at low voltage in TCT different types of solar irradiation, such as 950, 600, and
configuration is shifted to MPP voltage of a PV array in the 520 W/m2 , are received by the modules of a PV array. The
proposed arrangement. The power produced in the proposed shading pattern of TCT, Futoshiki, and shade dispersion with
configuration is higher than TCT, because of the shading Futoshiki configuration is shown in Table VIII.
effects are distributed over the array. The location of GMPP theoretically calculated in the TCT
2) LW Shading Condition: In LW shading pattern, four and proposed configuration is shown in Table IX. The power
different types of solar irradiation, such as 950, 760, 600, and generated at GMPP in the TCT and proposed configuration
220 W/m2 , are received by the modules of a PV array. The is 19.45 and 21.60Vm Im , respectively. Hence, the power
shading pattern of TCT, Futoshiki, and shade dispersion with enhancement theoretically calculated for the proposed config-
Futoshiki configuration is shown in Table VI. uration with respect to TCT configuration is 11.05%.
The current across each row, voltage, and power of a From Fig. 9, it is seen that the maximum power gen-
PV array is given in Table VII. It is seen from Table VII erated for TCT and Futoshiki configuration is 62.06 and
that the power generated at GMPP in TCT and Futoshiki 64.87 W, respectively. Therefore, the maximum power gener-
configuration is 13.11 and 15.50Vm Im , respectively. Hence, the ated in the proposed configuration is 4.52% higher than TCT
power enhancement theoretically calculated for the proposed configuration.
configuration with respect to TCT is 18.23%. The maximum 4) LN Shading Condition: In LN shading pattern, three
power generated for the TCT and proposed configuration different types of solar irradiation, such as 950, 650, and
is 36.60 and 47.52 W, respectively, as shown in Fig. 8. 520 W/m2 , are received by PV modules. The shading
SAHU et al.: MAXIMIZING THE POWER GENERATION OF A PARTIALLY SHADED PV ARRAY 631

TABLE VII
L OCATION OF GMPP IN TCT AND F UTOSHIKI C ONFIGURATION FOR LW S HADING C ONDITION

TABLE VIII
S HADING PATTERN FOR D IFFERENT C ONFIGURATIONS IN SN S HADING C ONDITION . (a) TCT. (b) F UTOSHIKI .
(c) S HADE D ISPERSION W ITH F UTOSHIKI

as given in Table I, one rheostat (300 , 2 A), two multimeters,

connecting wires, and the transparent papers of different colors
to create the partial shading environment.
The power generation of a PV array is calculated by multi-
plying the row current which is the same as the array current
measured by the multimeter connected in series with rheostat,
and the array voltage measured by the multimeter connected
across the rheostat. The level of solar irradiation at the time
of the experiment (11:00 A . M ., May 25, 2014) is calculated
using (3) and the data sheet values of the module. The solar
Fig. 9. Simulated power versus voltage curve for SN shading condition.
irradiation calculated at the time of performing an experiment
was 950 W/m2 , and other different levels of solar irradiation,
such as 760, 650, 600, 520, and 220 W/m2 , are obtained by
pattern of TCT, Futoshiki, and shade dispersion with Futoshiki
configuration is shown in Table X. The location of GMPP of putting different thicknesses and colors of transparent sheets
the TCT and proposed configuration is shown in Table XI. on the modules. The same level of irradiation is also achieved
using the measured and the data sheet values of short-circuit
The power generated at GMPP in the TCT and proposed
configuration is 19.45 and 20.10Vm Im , respectively. Hence, the current (SCC) [30]. These different levels of irradiations are
power enhancement theoretically calculated for the proposed used to calculate the GMPP of a 5 × 5 PV array. The
configuration with respect to TCT configuration is 3.34%. experimental results are obtained after bypassing one by one
From Fig. 10, it is seen that the maximum power generated row of a PV array in the increasing order of the row currents as
GMPP is achieved theoretically. The experimentally obtained
for TCT and Futoshiki configuration is 59.41 and 60.56 W,
respectively. Therefore, the maximum power produced in power–voltage characteristics for a 5 × 5 PV array for TCT
Futoshiki configuration is 1.93% higher than the TCT con- and Futoshiki configuration for four different shading condi-
tions are shown in Fig. 12.
figuration. In Futoshiki configuration, there may be multiple
peaks in the power–voltage curve; however, in this paper, it is There may be a slight change of solar irradiation and small
not visible, because the distribution of shadow over each row mismatch in the cell parameters of a PV array at the time
of the PV array is nearly equal. of conducting the experiment. Fluke model 175 multimeters
having an accuracy of 0.15% in DC voltage and 1% in
DC current are used to measure the array voltage and current.
B. Experimental Results for Power Enhancement Hence, the total measurement error introduced in the present
A laboratory scale experimental setup was developed measurement is ±1.15%. Considering the error of ±1.15%, the
on the roof of the Department of Electronics and measured power of a 5×5 PV array in Futoshiki configuration
Electrical Engineering, IIT Guwahati to validate the results under SW shading condition will vary from 47.21 to 48.30 W,
obtained theoretically and by the MATLAB simulation for as given in Table XII. Since there is an error of 1% in the
TCT and Futoshiki configuration under partial shading con- current measurement, an error of ±1% will be introduced
ditions, as shown in Fig. 11. The experimental setup was in the solar radiation. Therefore, the power generation of an
prepared by taking 25 numbers of the same rating PV modules, aforementioned PV array by MATLAB simulink will vary
632 IEEE JOURNAL OF EMERGING AND SELECTED TOPICS IN POWER ELECTRONICS, VOL. 04, NO. 2, JUNE 2016

TABLE IX
L OCATION OF GMPP IN TCT AND F UTOSHIKI C ONFIGURATION FOR SN S HADING C ONDITION

TABLE X
S HADING PATTERN FOR D IFFERENT C ONFIGURATIONS IN LN S HADING
C ONDITION . (a) TCT. (b) F UTOSHIKI . (c) S HADE D ISPERSION
W ITH F UTOSHIKI

Fig. 10. Simulated power versus voltage curve for LN shading condition.

from 54.46 to 53.39 W, as given in Table XII. Hence, the max-

imum measurement error introduced in the present analysis by
considering the maximum simulated power, i.e., 54.46 W, and
minimum measured power, i.e., 47.21 W, is 13.31%, whereas
the maximum actual measurement errors in power generation
for SW, LW, SN, and LN shading conditions are 11.44%,
4.92%, 6.62%, and 4.45%, respectively. The PV modules, as
given in Table I, are used to obtain the power generation
of a PV array in Futoshiki configuration. Before measuring
the power generation of an array, the SCC and open-circuit
voltage (OCV) of an individual modules are measured. It is Fig. 11. Laboratory scale experimental setup.
observed that there is a 2.70% and 1.88% change in SCC and
OCV, respectively, from its data sheet values. Considering the level, whereas in Futoshiki configuration, GMPP and MPP
uncertainty of ±2.70% in SCC and ±1.88% in OCV, the power coincide with each other, as shown in Fig. 12(a) and (b).
generation of an array obtained from MATLAB simulink In SN shading condition, the power generated at GMPP
will vary from 56.67 to 51.26 W, as given in Table XIII. in TCT and Futoshiki configuration is 58.62 and 60.57 W,
Therefore, the maximum parameter error introduced in respectively. Therefore, the power enhancement in Futoshiki
the present analysis by considering maximum simulated configuration with respect to TCT is 3.32%. In LN shading
power, i.e., 56.67 W, and minimum measured power, i.e., condition, the power generated at GMPP in TCT and Futoshiki
47.21 W, is 16.7%. The maximum measurement and para- configuration is 55.88 and 57.86 W, respectively. Thus, the
meter errors obtained for an array are well within the power enhancement in Futoshiki configuration with respect to
limit. TCT is 3.54%. For both SN and LN shading conditions, the
In SW shading condition, the generation of power at GMPP GMPP and MPP coincide with each other for both TCT and
in TCT and Futoshiki configuration is 38.44 and 47.76 W, Futoshiki configuration, as shown in Fig. 12(c) and (d).
respectively. Hence, the power enhancement in Futoshiki The power generation of a 5 × 5 PV array obtained
configuration with respect to TCT configuration is 24.24%. theoretically, experimentally, and by simulation in TCT and
In LW shading condition, the power generated at GMPP Futoshiki configuration for four different shading conditions
in TCT and Futoshiki configuration is 37.47 and 45.18 W, is shown in Table XIV. It is observed that there is a significant
respectively. Hence, the enhancement in the power generation enhancement in the power generation of a PV array for SW
in Futoshiki configuration with respect to TCT is 20.57%. and LW shading conditions. There is a minor deviation of
As shown in Fig. 12(a) and (b), in the TCT configuration the power generation in the experimental result from the
of SW and LW shading condition, the fourth and fifth points theoretical and simulation results under four different shading
of power–voltage curve are not nearly equal to 4 and 5Vm , conditions, as given in Table XIV. The deviation is due to the
because the modules of the entire fourth row and fifth row of slight change in the solar irradiation at the time of conducting
the PV array are shaded. The mismatch is due to shading effect the experiment and mismatch in the cell parameters.
over the PV array. For both SW and LW shading conditions, in Taking the same rating of PV module, as specified in
TCT configuration, the GMPP occurred at the reduced voltage Table I, a 5 × 5 PV array is considered for the comparison
SAHU et al.: MAXIMIZING THE POWER GENERATION OF A PARTIALLY SHADED PV ARRAY 633

TABLE XI
L OCATION OF GMPP IN TCT AND F UTOSHIKI C ONFIGURATION FOR LN S HADING C ONDITION

TABLE XII
M AXIMUM M EASUREMENT E RROR IN P OWER G ENERATION OF A 5 × 5 PV A RRAY IN F UTOSHIKI C ONFIGURATION IN SW S HADING C ONDITION

Fig. 12. Experimentally obtained GMPP for (a) SW, (b) LW, (c) SN, and (d) LN shading conditions.

TABLE XIII is calculated as follows:

M AXIMUM PARAMETER E RROR IN P OWER G ENERATION OF A 5 × 5 PV
A RRAY IN F UTOSHIKI C ONFIGURATION IN SW S HADING C ONDITION 
N
Gi
IR = Im (9)
G STC
i=1
where N is a number of modules in a particular row. Since
the equivalent circuit of TCT configuration is a single string
where the modules are connected in series, the lowest value
of row current is flowing in an array (provided no rows are
bypassed). Thus, the lowest value of row current min(I R ) of
an array is considered for the calculation of power generation
of an array. The voltage of an array is calculated as follows:

M
between the proposed and EAR methods using MATLAB V = Vm j (10)
simulink under four standard shading conditions, as shown j =1
in Tables IV, VI, VIII, and X, respectively. It is observed
that the power generation in the proposed method is the same where M is the number of rows of an array.
as the EAR method under four different shading conditions The analytical expression for the power generation of a
and the power generation in both the methods is always PV array is expressed as follows:
higher than the TCT configuration, as shown in Table XV. M N  
Gi
The practical implementation of EAR technique in a large P = V × min(I R ) = Vm j Im . (11)
G STC
PV system requires a large number of sensors and switches for j =1 i=1
changing the electrical connections of the PV modules dynam- For the validation of (11), the shading condition of a
ically. Hence, the practical implementation of EAR scheme is 5 × 5 PV array at 9 hrs, as shown in Fig. 5, is considered.
more expensive and complex. However, the implementation of The lowest value of the current generated in the fifth row,
the proposed configuration to estimate the power generation which is equal to the fourth row, is flowing in the TCT
of a PV array is economical and simpler. configuration of a PV array, as shown in Table XVI(a).
An analytic expression for power generation of a M × N Therefore, min(I R ) of a PV array is calculated as follows:
PV array for the TCT and proposed configuration is analyzed.
The current across each row of an array in TCT configuration min(I R ) = 4 × 0.224Im + 0.560Im = 1.45Im . (12)
634 IEEE JOURNAL OF EMERGING AND SELECTED TOPICS IN POWER ELECTRONICS, VOL. 04, NO. 2, JUNE 2016

TABLE XIV
C OMPARISON OF P OWER G ENERATED IN TCT AND F UTOSHIKI C ONFIGURATION FOR D IFFERENT S HADING C ONDITIONS

TABLE XV TABLE XVI

C OMPARISON OF P OWER G ENERATED IN TCT, EAR, AND F UTOSHIKI S HADING PATTERN FOR D IFFERENT C ONFIGURATIONS AT 9 hrs. (a) TCT.
C ONFIGURATION FOR D IFFERENT S HADING C ONDITIONS (b) F UTOSHIKI . (c) S HADE D ISPERSION W ITH F UTOSHIKI

The power generated by a PV array in the TCT configuration

is calculated as follows: i.e., partial shading. This paper is focusing on the external
ML, which is calculated as follows:
PTCT = 5Vm × 1.45Im = 7.25Vm Im . (13)
ML = P1 − P2 (16)
The lowest value of the current generated in the first row is
where P1 is the sum of the maximum power of an individual
flowing in the Futoshiki configuration with shade dispersion
modules of the array, and P2 is the total power generated by
of a PV array at 9 hrs, as shown in Table XVI(c). Therefore,
the same array when the modules are connected electrically.
min(I R ) of a PV array is calculated as follows:
The opacity of a shadow which varies between 0 and 1 is
min(I R ) = 3 × 0.224Im + 2 × 0.560Im = 1.79Im . (14) called SF, and is expressed as follows [25]:
G
The power generated by a PV array in the Futoshiki configu- SF = 1 − = 1 − KG . (17)
G STC
ration is calculated as follows:
In this paper, the ML is calculated by taking the same shad-
PFutoshiki = 5Vm × 1.79Im = 8.95Vm Im . (15) ing pattern for SW shading condition, as shown in Table IV.
To calculate the ML, the maximum power is calculated assum-
The power enhancement of a 5 × 5 PV array in Futoshiki ing all the shaded modules are shaded by the same solar
configuration with respect to TCT configuration at 9 hrs irradiation. The sum of the maximum power of the individual
is 22.93%. Similarly, the power generation of a 5 × 5 PV modules (not connected electrically) of a 5 × 5 array under
array in TCT and Futoshiki configuration from 10 to 15 hrs SW shading condition can be calculated as follows:
are presented in Table XVII. From Table XVII, it is observed
that there is a significant enhancement of power generation in P1 = (15 + 10K G )Vm Im . (18)
Futoshiki configuration with respect to TCT configuration of a The total power generated by the same array in the TCT
PV array under different shading conditions from 9 to 15 hrs configuration in SW shading condition is calculated (provided
of a day. Hence, the analytical expression is given in (11) for no rows are bypassed) as follows:
the calculation of power generation of a PV array is holding
true for any shading conditions. P2 = 25K G Vm Im . (19)
Therefore, ML in the TCT configuration in SW shading
condition is calculated as follows:
C. Mismatch Loss
When the PV plants operate under unfavorable conditions, ML (TCT) = P1 − P2 = 15(1 − K G )Vm Im (20)
there will be a power loss in the modules, and this loss is ML (TCT) in p.u. = 15(1 − K G ) = 15SF. (21)
called ML. There are two types of ML in a PV array, such
Similarly, the total power generated by the same array in
as internal and external. The internal ML occurs due to the
shade dispersion with Futoshiki configuration in SW shading
variation in PV source parameters of a module, such as R S ,
condition is calculated as follows:
Rsh , Vt , and Io , due to changes of its physical conditions,
and external ML occurs due to change of solar irradiation, P3 = (15 + 10K G )Vm Im . (22)
SAHU et al.: MAXIMIZING THE POWER GENERATION OF A PARTIALLY SHADED PV ARRAY 635

TABLE XVII
P OWER G ENERATION OF AN A RRAY U NDER D IFFERENT S HADING C ONDITIONS

Fig. 13. Simulation (sim), theoretical (theo), and experimental (exp) results for (a) SW, (b) LW, (c) SN, and (d) LN shading conditions.

Hence, the ML in the above configuration is calculated as ML (Futoshiki, LN) = 2(1 − K G ) = 2SF. (30)
follows:
Fig. 13 shows the variation of ML calculated theoretically
ML (Futoshiki) = P1 − P3 = 0 (23) in pu using (14) and (17)–(23) and simulated using MATLAB
ML (Futoshiki) in p.u. = 0. (24) simulation in watt with SF for four different shading condi-
tions. It is observed that the ML in TCT increases sharply
Similarly, ML in per unit (pu) in TCT for LW, SN, and LN
with the increase of SF for all different shading conditions.
shading condition, as shown in Tables VI, VIII, and X, is
In Futoshiki configuration, the ML in SW shading condition
calculated as follows:
is zero, and the increase of ML with SF for the rest three
ML (TCT, LW) = 9(1 − K G ) = 9SF (25) different shading conditions is much less compared with TCT.
ML (TCT, SN) = 6(1 − K G ) = 6SF (26) It is demonstrated that the ML in Futoshiki configuration is
less than the TCT configuration under four different shading
ML (TCT, LN) = 2(1 − K G ) = 2SF. (27) conditions, and hence the performance of Futoshiki configu-
The ML in pu in Futoshiki for LW, SN, and LN shading ration is superior to TCT.
condition is calculated as follows: To verify the theoretical and simulation results, an exper-
iment has been performed, which is shown in Fig. 13.
ML (Futoshiki, LW) = 4(1 − K G ) = 4SF (28) The solar irradiation calculated at the time of perform-
ML (Futoshiki, SN) = (1 − K G ) = SF (29) ing an experiment (11:00 A . M ., July 27, 2014) was
636 IEEE JOURNAL OF EMERGING AND SELECTED TOPICS IN POWER ELECTRONICS, VOL. 04, NO. 2, JUNE 2016

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[27] D. Nguyen and B. Lehman, “An adaptive solar photovoltaic array using Sisir Kumar Nayak (M’12) received the
model-based reconfiguration algorithm,” IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., B.E. degree in electrical engineering from the
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2010. Engineering, Royal Institute of Technology,
[30] D. Sera, R. Teodorescu, and P. Rodriguez, “PV panel model based on Stockholm, Sweden. He is currently an Assistant
datasheet values,” in Proc. IEEE Int. Symp. Ind. Electron., Jun. 2007, Professor with the Department of Electronics
pp. 2392–2396. and Electrical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, Guwahati, India. His current
research interests include integration of renewable sources with the grid,
computational electromagnetics, and high voltage engineering.

Sukumar Mishra (SM’04) received the B.Sc.

(Eng.) degree from the University College of
Engineering, Burla, India, in 1990, and the M.E.
and Ph.D. degrees from Regional Engineering
College, Rourkela, India, in 1992 and 2000,
respectively.
He joined the Department of Electrical
Engineering, University College of Engineering,
as a Lecturer, in 1992, and subsequently became
Himanshu Sekhar Sahu (S’15) received the a Reader in 2001. He is currently a Professor
B.E. degree in electrical and electronics engineering with the Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT
from the Biju Patnaik University of Technology, Delhi, Delhi, India. He is the Power Grid Chair Professor with IIT Delhi.
Rourkela, India, in 2006, and the M.Tech. degree in His current research interests include power system control, power quality,
power system engineering from the Veer Surendra renewable energy, and smart grid.
Sai University of Technology, Burla, India, in 2010. Dr. Mishra is a fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering,
He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree with the the Institute of Engineering and Technology, London, U.K., and the Institute
Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineer- of Electronics and Communication Engineering, India. He was honored with
ing, IIT Guwahati, Guwahati, India. many prestigious awards, such as the INSA Young Scientist Medal in 2002,
His current research interests include integration of the INAE Young Engineers Award in 2002, and recognition as the DST
renewable sources with the grid, photovoltaic power Young Scientist from 2001 to 2002. He is the Vice Chair of the Intelligent
system, and power quality issues. System Subcommittee of the IEEE Power and Energy Society.