Maze Puzzle Pattern‐Based Static Reconfiguration of Photovoltaic Arrays for Enhanced Shade Dispersion and Power Generation Under Partial Shading Conditions

ABSTRACT

Partial shading condition (PSC) causes current mismatch, multiple peaks, and high loss, and consequently lead to a lower energy generation output from a PV array. A new static PV array reconfiguration technique‐maze puzzle pattern array (PPA) is proposed here to alleviate partial shading impact and improve power output without additional sensor, switching matrix or optimization controller. Using a single‐diode PV model, a mathematical model for maze PPA has been developed. This configuration has been implemented on a 6 × 6 array, consist of 36 crystal silicon PV module, in MATLAB/Simulink. In the present work, performance comparison of maze PPA has been carried out with total cross‐tied (TCT) for eight typical partial shading patterns: SW, LW, SN, SN, DU, DD, center, and CR, respectively. Simulation results confirm that the row current mismatch can be minimized, and global maximum power point (GMPP) power generation is better with the proposed arrangement under any shade configuration considered. The maximum and average percentage increase in power at P _max with maze PPA over TCT array is about 40.51% and 18%–20%, respectively. In comparison to TCT, the highest fill factor (84.3%), the lowest mismatch loss (6.2%), the highest operational power, and efficient execution with O(N) computation complexity achieved for maze PPA. The proposed maze PPA is a cost‐effective and feasible solution for reducing the impact of partial shading on Rooftop PV, Building‐Integrated Photovoltaics, and utility‐scale power generation due to its simpler design, scalable structure, and hardware‐independent operation.