Firefly Algorithm-Based Photovoltaic Array Reconfiguration for Maximum Power Extraction during Mismatch Conditions

Abstract

This studyaimed at improving the performance and efficiency of conventional static photovoltaic (PV) systems by introducing a metaheuristic algorithm-based approach that involves reconfiguring electrical wiring using switches under different shading profiles. Themetaheuristicalgorithmused wasthe firefly algorithm (FA), which controls the switching patterns under non-homogenous shading profiles and tracks the highest global peak of power produced by the numerous switching patterns. This study aimed to solve the current problems faced by static PV systems, such as unequal dispersion of shading affecting solar panels, multiple peaks, and hot spot phenomena, which can contribute to significant power loss and efficiency reduction. The experimental setup focusedon software development and the system or model developed in the MATLAB Simulink platform. Athorough and comprehensive analysis was done by comparing the proposed method’s overall performance and power generation with thenovel static PVseries–parallel (SP) topology and totalcross-tied (TCT) scheme. The SP configuration is widely used in the PV industry. However, the TCT configuration has superior performance and energy yield generation compared to other static PV configurations, such as the bridge-linked (BL) and honey comb (HC) configurations. The results presented in this paper provide valuable information about the proposed method’s features with regard toenhancing the overall performance and efficiency of PV arrays.