Dynamic programming and Munkres algorithm for optimal photovoltaic arrays reconfiguration

• Published in: Solar energy Vol. 122; pp. 347 - 358
• Main Authors: Sanseverino, Eleonora Riva, Ngoc, Thanh Ngo, Cardinale, Marzia, Li Vigni, Vincenzo, Musso, Domenico, Romano, Pietro, Viola, Fabio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2015; Pergamon Press Inc
• Subjects: Algorithms; Control systems; Dynamic programming; Matrix; Mismatch; Optimization; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic modules; Photovoltaics; Reconfiguration; Solar energy; Solar panels; Switching; Working conditions; Photovoltaic modules; Mismatch; Optimization; Reconfiguration
• ISSN: 0038-092X; 1471-1257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2015.09.016

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•Optimal design for PV plant.•Switching matrix design.•Switching operations balancing.•Comparison between reconfiguration algorithms.
In this paper, an original formulation of the control problem for optimal PV array reconfiguration, following a Total Cross Tied layout, is proposed. The formulation follows the well-known subset sum problem, which is a special case of the knapsack problem. The reconfiguration is a measure devoted to mitigate the mismatch effect and maximize the output power of small photovoltaic plants under non-homogeneous working conditions. Therefore, reconfiguration means changing the connections of the solar panels adaptively by a dynamic switching matrix. The control system implements an easy dynamic programming algorithm to change the switches layout.
The use of the Munkres assignment method in a post-processing module makes the algorithm able to obtain the optimum configuration for which it is possible to balance and minimize the aging of the switches within the switching matrix.