Irregular SuDoKu Modeling of Solar Photovoltaic Arrays for Partial Shading Optimization

When photovoltaic (PV) arrays are subjected to partial shading conditions, the energy generated by the entire system diminishes with the appearance of multiple peaks in the P–V characteristics. A novel configuration for PV modules (PVMs) in an array has been put forth in this paper that aims to increase the output power generated by the array under partial shading conditions. This configuration involves the physical arrangement of PVMs as per the novel irregular SuDoKu (IRS) puzzle pattern connected to each other in a total cross-tied (TCT) arrangement. The electrical connections between the PVMs remain undisturbed in accomplishing this arrangement. The shading effect on PVMs within any single row is significantly reduced by this arrangement of PVMs which, in turn, increases the power generated by the PV array (PVA). Modeling and validations of these PVA configurations (PVACs) are done using MATLAB/SIMULINK. The considered PVACs are evaluated by taking numerous performance factors (i.e., mismatch power losses, efficiency, global maximum power point (GMPP) and the fill factor (FF)). The results of the proposed IRS arrangement are compared with TCT and recently proposed configurations such as SuDoKu, optimal^A SuDoKu, Futoshiki SuDoKu, optimal^B SuDoKu, improved SuDoKu, modified SuDoKu, hyper SuDoKu and multi-diagonal SuDoKu. The GMPP, FF and efficiency are the highest for the IRS method, with the values being 5894.4 W, 71.88% and 14.08%, respectively. Hence, the IRS is the best method in comparison with the other listed reconfiguration techniques.