A new approach for representation and reconfiguration using Binary to Grey Conversion for enhancing maximum power extraction capability from photovoltaic modules

Renewable energy-based solar photovoltaic (PV) array representation involves multiple interconnecting wire connections between the strings, based on the type of configurations such as mainly Series-Parallel, Bridge Link (BL), Honey Comb (HC), and Total Cross Tied. The authors have identified the problem that the larger size of the PV array increases the complexity in the module’s connections. Hence, the authors have proposed a method for digital representation of various PV array connections in the matrix form. The proposed methodology with a digital representation of Grey code to Binary code Conversion has been applied on existing conventional BL and HC connections. The proposed methodology developed two Modified Bridge Link connections and also two Modified Honey Comb connections respectively. The status of connections between the strings has been represented with digital numbers (0 or 1) and the irradiation on panels represented with its powers. Hence, the complex connections of larger PV system under partial shade conditions with various existing reconfiguration techniques can be represented in a simple matrix form with digital numbers. Further, the analysis of the proposed methods have been tested using matrix laboratory (MATLAB)/Simulink simulations using the stiff solver ordinary differential equations (ODE) 23 s with sampling size of 10 ‐6 seconds for various partial shade conditions such as Short Narrow, Long , Narrow, Long Wide, and Short Wide. In all the test cases, the proposed methods show superior performance in terms of maximum power, less mismatch loss, and more fill factor with simple and easy digital representation of any type of connections for any size of PV array over the existing type of complex connections.