Photovoltaic Array Dynamic Reconfiguration Based on an Improved Pelican Optimization Algorithm

Abstract

After prolonged operation, external objects may obstruct the photovoltaic (PV) array, resulting in prolonged partial shading. The dynamic reconfiguration of PV arrays uses a switch matrix to change the electrical positions of the PV cells in the array, and it is an effective method to solve the problem of partial shading. Most of the current dynamic reconfigurations only consider the optimization of power output. Neglecting the switch actions will increase the number of switch matrix actions, making the switch control more complex and reducing the lifespan of devices. To address power optimization and switch action optimization simultaneously during dynamic reconfiguration, this paper introduces a novel objective function. This function combines power optimization and switch action optimization in a weighted manner. Based on the novel function, the algorithm prioritizes optimizing the electrical positions of PV cells with larger shading values. This ensures that the PV array can improve its output while significantly reducing the number of switch actions. The Pelican Optimization Algorithm (POA) is improved and employed to optimize the proposed objective function. In terms of the output power optimization, the effectiveness of the novel objective function with the improved POA is validated by comparing and analyzing the reconfiguration results with the conventional objective functions under four shading scenarios. The results demonstrate that the novel objective function with the improved POA increases the output power by 30% in short and wide shadow and achieves the highest power output. Moreover, the tests conducted on dynamic reconfiguration results with different weights validate the effectiveness of the novel objective function in minimizing switching actions while improving power output.