Partial shading impact analysis on solar PV system performance: A MATLAB/SIMULINK study on optimal array configurations

Abstract

Partial shading of PV systems by clouds, buildings, or trees causes current mismatch among modules and generates more than one peak of power, reducing the power output significantly and complicating MPPT (maximum power point tracking). In this study, the performance of different PV array configurations (SP, BL, HC, and TCT) is compared under 16 partial shading conditions to determine the most suitable possible layout to mitigate the effect of shading losses. In this respect, a 7 × 7 PV array built from SunPower SPRMAX3430 panels was simulated using MATLAB/SIMULINK for 16 different shading conditions: random patterns, central, and diagonal. Results show that the TCT configuration consistently yields higher output power across various shading patterns. For instance, under long-wide shading, it achieves a 23.29% improvement in power output compared to the SP configuration. Additionally, TCT reduces mismatch power loss by up to 47.86% and enhances efficiency without introducing complex circuitry or high costs, thereby making it a practical and cost-effective solution for large-scale PV installations exposed to dynamic shading. These findings offer practical insights into improving solar PV efficiency under diverse shading conditions by optimizing array configurations, without the need for complex or costly MPPT enhancements, and thus supporting the design of more robust and economical renewable energy systems.

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

6-30-2025

Volume

7

Issue

2

Funding Information

Universiti Malaya

School

School of Science

Copyright

free_to_read

Publisher

IOP

Identifier

Mohammad Nur-E-Alam: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1969-3348

Comments

Lee, K. T., Nur-E-Alam, M., & Islam, M. A. (2025). Partial shading impact analysis on solar PV system performance: A MATLAB/SIMULINK study on optimal array configurations. Engineering Research Express, 7(2), 025368. https://doi.org/10.1088/2631-8695/addfac

Link to Full Text

Share

 
COinS
 

Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.1088/2631-8695/addfac