Abstract:
With the increased use of photovoltaic (PV) modules, there is a greater demand for
effective and quick response PV fault and partial shading detection techniques. This
thesis describes developing a real time fault and partial shading detection technique
for photovoltaic (PV) systems by using Mamdani fuzzy logic. The technique has a
minimal level of complexity, yet it has a high rate of fault identification. The
identification of partial shading and faults is based on threshold values developed
by comparing the PV system's measured and Simulink-based model results. A data
analysis approach was performed to determine several PV system parameters.
Multiple shading scenarios and open circuit fault were analyzed. Several rules have
been developed in Mamdani fuzzy logic, which distinguishes between different
cases. All case studies were verified through simulations and validated by
establishing an experimental setup. From the simulation and experimental results,
it has been demonstrated that the proposed technique has an excellent performance
in detecting partial shading and fault.
