Impact of differential power processing on inter-row shading in solar arrays

The integration of power electronics in series-connected photovoltaics (PV) has provided a new approach to handling the well-known current mismatch problem. One such technique, known as differential power processing (DPP), has demonstrated high efficiency mismatch handling, as well as scalability, in PV applications. The purpose of this work is to quantify the potential benefits of DPP in mitigating inter-row shading in large-scale arrays. To do so, a simulation is constructed to model annual solar array operation. Shading models are used to simulate predictable sources of mismatch. With the simulation, the production of arrays with DPP can be compared with that of conventional arrays.