A PV Array Reconfiguration Algorithm for Minimising Partial Shading Effects

A photovoltaic array is subject to reduction of output caused by partial shading which causes bypass diodes to turn on. This can be alleviated by partly or fully cross-tying the modules within the rows of the array, and reconfiguring the positions of modules within it. In this paper a PV array reconfiguration algorithm based on a magic square is proposed. The reconfigured array has the shading effects more evenly dispersed over the entire array surface, which reduces voltage and current drop due to the diode conduction. The performance of this scheme is assessed using simple models of shading patterns, and compares favourably with results from Futoshiki and PRM-FEC algorithms, and a conventional totally cross-tied (TCT) array, under most of the chosen shading patterns.