Optimal Solar Array Configuration for Multiple Shade Patterns

The Renewable Energy Sources (RES) participating in the stable and reliable grid operation is increasing exponentially. Solar PV has a major contribution to the increased grid integration of RES. Optimal output should be obtained from the connected solar PV arrays. These arrays are connected in series and parallel to operate at Maximum Power Point (MPP) under normal conditions. However, under partially shaded conditions, some panels may be shaded, and the output of the whole array may not be optimized. Switching of panels is utilized to obtain maximum output in such conditions. In this paper, multiple metaheuristic methods like Particle Swarm Optimization, Manta Ray Foraging Optimization, Gorilla Troop Optimizer, and Bald Eagle Search are employed to obtain the optimal solar array configuration in multiple shaded patterns for a 9 × 9 array. These configurations are obtained under individual shading patterns, and multiple shaded patterns are considered simultaneously. MATLAB is used for implementing the metaheuristic techniques.