Strategies for Enhancing Photovoltaic System Efficiency Under Partial Shading Conditions

Partial shading in photovoltaic (PV) systems, caused by factors like clouds, trees, buildings, or dirt, can significantly diminish power output and overall system efficiency. Traditional PV setups face challenges such as mismatch losses and the limitations of bypass diodes, particularly under uneven irradiance. This paper investigates the mitigating effects and advanced methods to counteract the negative impacts of partial shading. Key strategies include optimizing through maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms, employing system design techniques such as Series Parallel (SP) reconfiguration. This paper presents work explores a combination of optimized array configurations to mitigate shading impacts by using the simulation results of MATLAB/SIMULINK. The investigation underscores the importance of hybrid configuration solutions to enhance solar energy harvesting in sub-optimal environmental conditions. Optimal PV array interconnections by using the combination of (SP), when rows, columns, corners and diagonally partially shaded simulation results demonstrate the performance when these strategies are implemented.