Project Abstract

To meet higher power requirements, the photovoltaic (PV) modules are customarily connected in series, or in series-parallel, to serve as a single power-generating unit—an assembly of interconnected PV modules is termed a PV array.

Although these configurations are conventionally employed for their simplicity, they are highly susceptible to mismatch under faulted conditions. For instance, the adverse effects of partial shading include the drastic reduction in power output, multi-tiered I-V characteristics (which impedes effective maximum power point tracking), and the formation of hotspots in the system. In this respect, the dynamic reconfiguration of the PV system is a promising frontier to mitigate such issues.

The key idea is to implement an intelligent strategy which allows the system to clearly identify faulty conditions and appropriately rearrange itself (by means of sensors and switching matrices) for optimal performance. With the advent of advanced artificial intelligence techniques (which have been proven to be indispensable for accurate yield modelling and forecasting), and cost-effective electronics, this field is undoubtedly worthy of fresh research efforts.