PV Array Reconfiguration Based on the Shaded Cells'Number for PV Modules

Reconfiguration can increase the output power for a PV array under partial shadows.However,traditional reconfiguration methods consider the PV module as either totally shaded or totally unshaded,and module-based simulation is employed to evaluate the reconfiguration effect.Actually,there is an unneglectable error when treating a partially shaded PV module as totally shaded,through using a more accurate cellbased simulation.Based on the analysis of the determinant factors on MPPs’power of a PV array,a new reconfiguration method is proposed based on the exact partial shadow shape projected on the PV array.This method restructures the electrical connection among PV modules of a PV array according to the shaded cells’number(SCN)of every PV module.Extensive cell-based simulations are carried out on a PV array to verify the effectiveness of the proposed SCN-based reconfiguration method.Comprehensive comparisons among various reconfiguration methods and shadow distributions clearly show its suitability to different irregular shadows and its superiority in PV output power enhancement.