Title | Reconfigurable Topologies for Smarter PV Modules: Simulation, Evaluation and Implementation |
Author(s) | Pieter Bauwens, Jonathan Govaerts, Maria-Iro Baka, Francky Catthoor, Kris Baert, Giel Van den Broeck, Hans Goverde, Dimitrios Anagnostos, Jan Doutreloigne, Jozef (Jef) Poortmans |
Keywords | PV System, Shading, Energy Performance, Configurable Topology |
Topic | NEW MATERIALS AND CONCEPTS FOR SOLAR CELLS AND MODULES |
Subtopic | New Materials and Concepts for Modules |
Event | EU PVSEC 2016 |
Session | 1BO.12.6 |
Pages manuscript | 61 - 65 |
ISBN | 3-936338-41-8 |
DOI | 10.4229/EUPVSEC20162016-1BO.12.6 |
In a reconfigurable PV panel, the connections between groups of cells (cell-strings) can be rearranged in order to increase the overall power output under non-uniform conditions. In a traditional PV panel, current mismatch between the series-connected cells (due to irradiation differences of differential aging) limits the generated power output by either reducing the overall current or by bypassing the substring containing the limiting cells. A reconfigurable panel can respond to such a situation by changing the connections to a more favorable configuration, allowing the majority of the cells to operate at their MPP. This paper elaborates on such a topology and its components (high current switches, wiring). To get a clearer picture of the added value of such a reconfigurable panel, a detailed energy yield analysis was performed which includes the performance of those added components. The simulation model used for this analysis is calibrated with extensive measurement results. A comparison of that model and corresponding measurements will be discussed. The analysis shows that a reconfigurable PV panel can outperform the traditional panels when suboptimal conditions are predominant, as encountered for instance in BIPV. As a demonstration of the principle, a small-scale prototype was created and will be presented in this paper.