Enhancing PV System Efficiency Through Integrated Inclination Control and I-V Curve-Based Diagnostics

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) systems play a crucial role in sustainable energy generation, but they often face performance challenges due to environmental variability and the limitations of traditional monitoring tools. Conventional interfaces lack the flexibility needed to integrate various PV configurations and assess real-time operational behavior effectively. This study aims to address the need for a comprehensive supervisory system that can conduct experimental analysis and optimize system performance. The main goal was to create a new supervisory interface capable of managing both isolated and grid-connected PV systems, allowing for adjustable tilt angles and real-time monitoring of irradiance, temperature, and I-V curves. We achieved this by building a centralized platform equipped with sensors, microinverters, LabVIEW software, and mechanical actuators to capture performance data under different tilt and shading conditions. Our experiments showed that partial shading of just one out of 60 cells could result in up to a 50% power loss. Additionally, combining isolated and grid-connected systems led to an 11% increase in energy output, and optimizing the tilt angle achieved a 14% improvement in irradiance capture compared to flat-mounted modules. These results highlight the interface's ability to enhance system diagnostics, detect faults, and optimize performance. Furthermore, the platform serves as an accessible educational tool. Future developments will focus on automating tilt adjustment mechanisms and expanding remote access capabilities for broader deployment.