Computational analysis of a novel diagonal windoku photovoltaic array under partial shadings: evaluating the enhanced performance and energy savings

Abstract A novel photovoltaic (PV) array model based on the diagonal windoku pattern (DWP) for the total cross-tied (TCT) is discussed in this manuscript. This DWP helps in increasing the power output under partial shading by reducing the power losses of the PV array (PVA). The electrical connections between the PV modules (PVMs) in this model are fixed while altering the physical locations of the PVMs. Extensive simulations through MATLAB/SIMULINK validate the enhanced performance of the proposed DWP architecture. The components which are pivotal in assessing the robustness and the effectiveness of PVAs (namely mismatch power losses, global maximum power point, % fill-factor, % power loss and % efficiency) are considered in the present study. The energy savings along with the estimated annual financial gains, through the implementation of the proposed topology on commercially tangible PVA systems, are computed. The performance analysis of the proposed DWP topology is compared with the existing PVA arrangements, including TCT, futoshiki SuDoKu (FS), Latin square puzzle (LSP), and dominance square (DS). The results proclaimed by DWP are superior to the others in terms of the characterized parameters under consideration. In case of short wide arrangement, the proposed DWP topology proves to be maximum efficient in power generation in comparison to TCT, FS, LSP and DS by 13.43%, 1.69%, 1%, and 0.95%, respectively. Moreover, the annual energy savings are estimated to be INR 5 5 INR (₹) means Indian rupees symbolized as ₹ (₹) 1,33,298 and, thus, yield better financial returns than the other prevailing models.