Performance Comparison of Different PV Array Configurations Considering the Number of Bypass Diodes Under Partial Shading

Abstract

Partial shading is one of the most critical challenges affecting the performance and reliability of photovoltaic
(PV) systems in real-world scenarios. Although bypass diodes are widely used to reduce mismatch losses in PV
systems, their role is still under investigation. The effect of increasing their number on overall system performance
is especially unclear for different PV array configurations. This study presents a comprehensive simulation-based
analysis of how the number of bypass diodes influences the global maximum power point (GMPP) in four widely
used PV array configurations: series-parallel, bridge-link, honey-comb, and total cross-tied. A MATLAB Simscape
model is employed to simulate 30 shading scenarios. P-V curves are generated in order to determine the current,
power, and voltage at GMPP for various bypass diode configurations, with between 6 and 24 cells per bypass
diode. In this way, the individual performance of each case across different shading scenarios is compared, and
the average values are computed to facilitate a comprehensive comparison of the overall performance among
the so-called array configurations. The results not only reveal the relationship between array and bypass diode
configurations but also offer new perspectives on how to maximize energy yield in shade-prone PV systems.

Cite this article as: H. G. Sezgin-Ugranlı, “Performance comparison of different PV array configurations considering the number of bypass diodes under partial
shading,” Electrica. 2025, 25, 0080 doi: 10.5152/electrica.2025.25080.