A Systematic Method of Interconnection Optimization for Dense-Array Concentrator Photovoltaic System

Abstract EN

This paper presents a new systematic approach to analyze all possible array configurations in order to determine the most optimal dense-array configuration for concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) systems.

The proposed method is fast, simple, reasonably accurate, and very useful as a preliminary study before constructing a dense-array CPV panel.

Using measured flux distribution data, each CPV cells’ voltage and current values at three critical points which are at short-circuit, open-circuit, and maximum power point are determined.

From there, an algorithm groups the cells into basic modules.

The next step is I-V curve prediction, to find the maximum output power of each array configuration.

As a case study, twenty different I-V predictions are made for a prototype of nonimaging planar concentrator, and the array configuration that yields the highest output power is determined.

The result is then verified by assembling and testing of an actual dense-array on the prototype.

It was found that the I-V curve closely resembles simulated I-V prediction, and measured maximum output power varies by only 1.34%.