Challenges to overcurrent protection devices in PV array during winter and low irradiation conditions in Australia

The rapid growth and demand for solar PV systems must ensure the safety and reliability. This paper discusses the challenges to protection devices which brings due to winter season, low irradiation conditions and module degradation. Short circuit fault was created within PV array to analyze the operation of the protection device. The results found that fault current generated by short circuit was never reached to the fuse rating and fault was remain hidden in the PV array. Additionally, the operation of maximum power point tracker is discussed with characteristics of protection devices. An experimental PV system has been deployed to further validation.