A Static Kropki Puzzle Pattern‐Based Shade Dispersion Technique for a Partially Shaded Photovoltaic Array

ABSTRACT Partial shading is crucial in reducing the performance of the photovoltaic (PV) array. The static reconfiguration is a viable option for alleviating the partial shading. The scattering of shade relies on its puzzle pattern. This research proposes a static Kropki puzzle‐based reconfiguration to scatter the shade effectively, thereby alleviating the consequence of partial shading. The Kropki puzzle pattern offers the benefits of simple rules and faster execution. The position of the panels is modified in accordance with the Kropki puzzle pattern and tested experimentally on a 4 × 4 total‐cross‐tied array. The Kropki reconfiguration is validated by relating to total‐cross‐tied, Sudoku, Skyscraper, and Odd–Even configurations by performance parameters. Overall, the experimental results show that the Kropki puzzle has superior shade capability and improved PE by 54% compared to conventional TCT.