Experimental validation of hybrid L-shape propagated PV array configuration under realistic shading conditions

The global expansion in solar power generation in the recent decades and its advantages like nonpolluted and ease of installation makes it to grow further. The solar photovoltaic (PV) system experiencing more power losses due to various environmental factors like partial shading, uneven weather conditions, etc. Solar PV array configuration is one of the methods to extract available power from the array. The interconnections between the modules cause additional power losses in the system. The logics made PV array configurations can reduce these power losses in the system. The L-shape propagation-based PV configuration (L-SPPVC) can effectively overcome the power losses caused due to these factors. In this paper, an experimental validation has been carried out on different conventional configuration methods with the hybridization of L-SPPVC. The comparative analysis is carried out based on the current output, enhancement of row current, power generation, mismatch losses, and power loss. The proposed hybrid L-shape propagated configuration outperforms the conventional methods. The conventional bridge-linked method, honeycomb structure-based method, and TCT methods are became efficient in reducing the mismatch losses. From the detailed experimentation in 4 × 4 PV array, where the hybrid integration enhances the efficiency from 10 to 35%. The results observed from conventional methods and proposed method are compared and discussed in more detail in this paper.