Fuzzy logic Arduino boost for shaded PV panels
Researchers in Pakistan have used fuzzy logic on an Arduino Uno board to tackle the problem of partial shading that hits photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.
Partial shading of a PV panel at different times of the day not only reduces the power output bur risks overloading the parts oof the panel in bright sunlight, creating hotspots and damaging the panel. This is particularly an issue in urban areas.
The team at the National University of Sciences and Technology in Islamabad, Pakistan, developed a PV reconfiguration approach using fuzzy logic that improves the reconfiguration effectiveness and achieves a higher power output. This can work with different sizes and form factor panels, rather than being limited to square panels.
The technique quantifies the impact of the power loss from the shading and provides precise fault diagnostics. This is then used to reconfigure the panels dynamically to even out the power and avoid creating hotspots.
In dynamic reconfiguration, the PV array layout is adjusted in real-time using optimization-based algorithms, often driven by machine learning or artificial intelligence. These algorithms analyze shading patterns, power output, and other environmental factors continuously, allowing the system to respond quickly to variations in shading or other conditions that impact performance.
Dynamic reconfiguration involves physical reallocation of the PV modules or their electrical connections, requiring components such as sensors, a switching matrix, and auxiliary circuits to facilitate these adjustments. This allows for greater adaptability and efficiency, as the system can maintain optimal power output even with moving clouds or intermittent shading.
However, dynamic reconfiguration also has drawbacks: the complexity of the algorithms, the cost of additional hardware, and the requirement for real-time data processing can increase overall system costs and introduce higher maintenance demands.
The scheme was simulated in the Power and Energy Research Lab at the NUST College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering under several shading scenarios and then tested on a 4 × 3 array of PV panels with the fuzzy logic controller implemented using an Arduino uno microcontroller board.
This showed a 23.5 % reduction in power loss compared to conventional techniques.
The details are at doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.103965
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