LOAD-MATCHING TO PHOTOVOLTAIC GENERATORS

This paper investigates the suitability of a photovoltaic source to a particular load as regards the degree of load matching in systems that do not employ maximum-power-point-trackers. It is shown that, since the load line is independent of the array characteristics, the array interconnection may be selected to suit the load. The paper identifies two situations in which the system performance can be improved: one through a permanent change in array interconnections from a predominantly series mode to a parallel mode or vice versa; and the other through dynamic array switching from one mode to the other, depending on the solar insolation. Transient analysis of the system due to this array switching has shown that, within a few seconds, the system reaches its new steady-state values.