Output performance optimization and peak-load shifting based on row current compensation and extraction in PV system

•The RCCE method is presented with a novel multi-converter control structure.•The RCCE method is implemented by using battery and bidirectional DC/DC converter.•The RCCE method improves the output power and the efficiency of the system.•Comparative results show the outstanding performance of the proposed method. In this paper, the row current compensation and extraction (RCCE) method is presented to avoid power loss of the photovoltaic (PV) array caused by bypass diode conduction of PV modules under partial shading conditions (PSCs). In the PV system employing the RCCE method, PV arrays are directly connected to the battery through bidirectional DC/DC converters. These converters can be controlled to compensate or extract the current of each row of the PV array under PSCs. As a result, the power-voltage (P–V) curve only exhibits a single peak, reducing the complexity of the maximum power point tracking (MPPT). Additionally, the peak-load shifting can be achieved by the RCCE method under different working conditions. The feasibility and effectiveness of the RCCE method have been verified through prototype experiments. The results demonstrate that the PV modules in shaded areas can operate normally instead of being bypassed, and MPPT control will not lead to misjudgment of peak point through the RCCE algorithm.