A Novel Partial Shading Detection Algorithm Utilizing Power Level Monitoring of Photovoltaic Panels

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) under partial shading condition (PSC) is a challenging research topic in the PV array system. As the shaded PV module makes different peak patterns on the power versus voltage curve and misguides the MPPT algorithm, various kinds of global MPP (GMPP) detecting algorithms have been studied. Generally, too frequent execution of the GMPP tracking algorithm reduces the achievable power of PV module due to time spent on the scanning process. Thus, the partial shading detection algorithm is essential for efficient utilization of solar energy source. Based on the theoretical investigation of the characteristic curve patterns under various partial shading conditions, this paper presents a new detection algorithm utilizing power level monitoring. While conventional methods only focus on fast shading patterns, the proposed algorithm always shows superb performance regardless of the partial shading patterns.