Detection and identification of global maximum power point operation in solar PV applications using a hybrid ELPSO-P&O tracking technique

Non-homogeneous irradiation conditions due to environmental changes introduce multiple peaks in non-linear PV characteristics. Hence, to operate PV at the global power point, numerous algorithms have been proposed in the literature. However, due to the insufficient exploitation of control variables, all the MPPT methods presented in literature fail to guarantee Global Maximum Power Point (GMPP) operation. In this paper, a new detection technology to identify global MPP zones using hybrid Enhanced Leader Particle Swarm Optimization (ELPSO) assisted by a conventional Perturb and Observe (P&O) algorithm is proposed. With inherent mutations, ELPSO applied to MPPT excels in exploring global regions at initial stages to determine the global best leader; whilst, P&O is reverted back soon after global solution space is detected. The transition from ELPSO to P&O is mathematically verified and allowed only when ELPSO finds the global optimal zone. Adapting this hybrid strategy, the proposed method has produced interesting results under partial shaded conditions. For further validation, the results of the proposed hybrid ELPSO-P&O are compared with conventional ELPSO and the hybrid PSO-P&O methods. Experimental results along with energy evaluations confirmed the superiority of the ELPSOP&O method in obtaining the maximum available power under all shaded conditions

Evaluation of in-situ thermal transmittance of innovative building integrated photovoltaic modules: Application to thermal performance assessment for green mark certification in the tropics

10.1016/j.energy.2021.121316Energy235121316-12131

A comprehensive review on building integrated photovoltaic systems: Emphasis to technological advancements, outdoor testing, and predictive maintenance

10.1016/j.rser.2021.111946Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews156111946-11194

A new shade dispersion technique compatible for symmetrical and unsymmetrical photovoltaic (PV) arrays

Partial shade occurrences still prevail as a major obstacle for maximum power generation from photovoltaic (PV) power plants, particularly in urban areas. Therefore, augmenting the power output during such conditions has become a prerequisite in PV installations to guarantee reliable power conversion efficiency. In this context, PV array reconfiguration utilizing physical relocation techniques is a cost effective as well as promising solution. Though many such techniques have been developed in recent times, the applicability of those solutions to real-time power plants is questionable, predominantly due to: 1) incompatibility to unsymmetrical PV arrays, 2) impractical displacement of PV modules to distant columns, 3) necessity of large number of physical relocations, 4) need for lengthy interconnection ties and 5) non-availability of universal relocation rules. In this context, this paper proposes a new reconfiguration technique that can be applied globally irrespective of the size, type, and rating of PV arrays. In principle, the technique evolves from a mathematical concept to arrange PV modules diagonally along the opposite corners of the smallest rectangle that can be developed using squares. Graphically, the proposed technique emulates the vertical downward movement of knights in a chess board. More importantly, the relocation procedure is carefully designed such that each PV module in the array is relocated with in its respective column itself, thereby reducing the overall number of relocations required significantly. Distinctive from existing strategies, the proposed method can be applied to both unsymmetrical and symmetrical PV arrays without any arbitrary assumptions. For validation, extensive simulations considering numerous shade patterns as well as hardware experimentations have been carried out, and the results are compared with prominent techniques available in literature. The results attained show an average instantaneous power difference of 0.3 kW and 0.8 kW respectively for an 8.1 kW system, compared with its counterparts and conventional interconnection schemes. ? 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.11Nsciescopu

Reconfigured Photovoltaic Model to Facilitate Maximum Power Point Tracking for Micro and Nano-Grid Systems

PV systems are a popular energy resource, prevalent worldwide; however, shade faults manifested in PV systems limit its power conversion efficiency. The occurrence of multiple power peaks and their location are highly uncertain in PV systems; this necessitates the use of complex maximum power point tracking algorithms to introduce high voltage oscillations. To address this issue, a new reconfigurable PV array to produce a global maximum power point (GMPP) algorithm close to the Voc regions was introduced. This enables the use of a simple Perturb and Observe (P&O) algorithm to easily track GMPP. For reconfiguration, a simple 5 × 5 PV array is considered, and a new physical relocation procedure based on the position square method is proposed. Performance of the proposed reconfiguration model is tested for four various shade events and its row current evaluations are comprehensively analyzed. Furthermore, evaluations of fill factor, mismatch loss, and power loss are quantitatively compared against Dominance Square and TCT schemes. Since the power enhancement is ensured in a reconfigurable PV array, the fixed reconfiguration is tailored to suit residential PV and microgrid systems. For MPP evaluations, hardware demonstrations are performed with a lab scale prototype model developed with a PV simulator and a DC–DC power electronic interface. The I–V characteristics of conventional and reconfigured models are programmed into the simulator and the use of the hill climbing algorithm is validated. To analyze the voltage and power oscillations with MPP tracking, the PSO algorithm is also tested for two test patterns and its results are comprehensively studied

Modelling of Organic Photovoltaic Cells Based on an Improved Reverse Double Diode Model

Organic PV cells have gained tremendous attention in recent years for its advantage of having tailored molecular properties and economic manufacturing process. Along with the rigorous and rapid researchesprogressing in the field of organic photovoltaic cells, accurate modelling of organic PV cells has gained extreme importance. Hence in this paper, modelling of organic solar photovoltaic cells based on an improved reverse double diode model is presented. Apart from all other complex mathematical models available in literature, the modelling is performed by introducing simple circuit equations. Furthermore, the model is highly capable of realizing the ideal and non-ideal current-voltage characteristics of an organic PV cell. The eight unknown parameters of the model are extracted using Genetic Algorithm(GA) and the extracted parameters are used to predict the I-V characteristics of a nav-100 organic solar cell. The main aim of this paper is to study the behaviour of organic solar cells and to realize an accurate PV model to replicate the exact I-V characteristics