Improvement of Interconnections of Low-cost, Low-power Photovoltaics

In this paper we present strategies that potentially improve the output performance of interconnections of low-cost, low-power photovoltaic (PV) modules. These types of photovoltaics are of interest in particular for consumer electronics. In general, output power levels of photovoltaics vary depending on tolerance limits of PV manufacturers. We concentrated on influences on the characteristic I-V (Current-Voltage) curve and used the fill factor (FF) to describe the slope of the I-V curve. We investigated influences on maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques. We improved output power levels by applying evolutionary algorithms and pairing PV modules systematically.