An Optimization Device for Series Parallel Connected PV Plants

In this paper it is presented a testing prototype of a reconfiguration system for photovoltaic (PV) plants. The system enables to increase the total energy output by reducing the electrical mismatch between the PV array modules. The architecture of the implemented switching matrix, performing the dynamic electrical interconnections of the PV panels, enables to reconfigure nine solar modules in a series-parallel (SP) configuration. The contribution is organized as follows. A brief state of the art is first presented, followed by a comparison between the SP and Total-Cross-Tied (TCT) connections. The prototype then is thoroughly described as well as the main design choices. Finally some tests…