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String Fault Detection in Solar Photo Voltaic Arrays

Tapash Kr. Das, Surajit Chattopadhyay & Arabinda Das

To cite this article: Tapash Kr. Das, Surajit Chattopadhyay & Arabinda Das (2021):
String Fault Detection in Solar Photo Voltaic Arrays, IETE Journal of Research, DOI:
10.1080/03772063.2021.1905081

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Published online: 30 Mar 2021.

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IETE JOURNAL OF RESEARCH
https://doi.org/10.1080/03772063.2021.1905081

String Fault Detection in Solar Photo Voltaic Arrays

Tapash Kr. Das 1 , Surajit Chattopadhyay 1 and Arabinda Das2
1 Department of Electrical Engineering, GKCIET, Malda, West Bengal, India; 2 Department of Electrical Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata,
India

ABSTRACT KEYWORDS
Solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays connected with the microgrid system consist of multiple strings DC component; Discrete
interconnected in different ways. This paper deals the diagnosis of faults that occurred in one or mul- wavelet transform (DWT);
tiple of such strings. Output currents from inverter output terminals of the microgrid system have Fast Fourier transforms (FFT);
been captured for assessment. Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT)-based DC components and total Kurtosis; Microgrid; Photo
voltaic (PV) array; Skewness;
harmonics distortions (THD) have been calculated. Discreet wavelet transformation (DWT)-based Sub harmonics; Total
approximate and detail coefficients of inverter output currents have been analysed by statistical harmonics distortion (THD)
parameters such as skewness and kurtosis. These analyses have been carried out at normal condi-
tions and different string fault conditions. Specific relations have been observed among percentage
of string faults with DC components, THD, kurtosis and skewness at certain DWT levels. Parametric
selection has been done and algorithm has been proposed for string fault assessment. Case studies
have been performed with the data collected from real system and the algorithm has been validated.

1. INTRODUCTION
As conventional energy resources are decreasing day by
day, to fulfil increasing energy requirements, utilization
of renewable energy resources has increased globally.
Presently, the solar-based microgrid technology is widely
used as compared to other methods of non-conventional
electrical energy generation techniques. These micro-
grid technologies fall into the green energy category. In
microgrids, solar electrical energy and local grids are
connected. In large capacity solar power plants, the photo
voltaic modules are generally interconnected with each
other in various design combinations like series and par-
allel and form PV arrays. Each series combination of PV
modules set is called a PV string. These modules may
also be in series or parallel combination and may be of
both combinations. The faults in strings of solar photo
voltaic arrays are basically occurred due to long outdoor
operations and extreme weather conditions. This may
degrade output, performance and sometimes may lead
to fire risks. Therefore, an early detection of string fault
becomes important and essential [1]. Now-a-days, many
scientists, engineers and technologists are giving their
efforts for identifying various fault detection techniques,
modification of protection schemes, performance analy-
sis and advancement of optimization techniques of solar
PV array-based microgrid system [1–7].
Yihua Hu et al. (2014) introduced a new technique for
identifying thermography-based mismatch faults of a PV
module [2] where, the proposed diagnostic process has
been developed by using various computer simulation
and laboratory experiments for increasing the efficiency
during faults. A new distributed maximum power point
tracking-based system for solar photovoltaic module [3]
has been presented by Pooja Sharma et al. (2014) where,
the nature of currents and maximum power output across
the photovoltaic module, under partial shading condi-
tions of solar photovoltaic strings, has been demon-
strated. Hesan Ziar et al. (2014) established an advanced
protection scheme standard for photovoltaic over the
existing standards during partial shedding condition [4].
Ye Zhao et al. (2015) modelled a new autonomous fault
identification scheme to ensure the protection, classifica-
tion and reliability of the photovoltaic arrays in micro-
grids [5]. Yihua Hu et al. (2015) developed special a low-
and high-voltage fault detection technique for solar pho-
tovoltaic strings [6]. In this attempt, the output nature of
photovoltaic strings has been demonstrated with the help
of voltage sensor locations-based optimization scheme.
A novel scheme for fault diagnosis and classification,
based on various climatic conditions of the solar PV
array system [7], was introduced by R. Hariharan et al.
(2016). Hany M. Hasanien et al. (2016) developed an
adaptive control technique for increasing the capability
of the grid-connected photovoltaic microgrid system [8]
where, different computer simulations were carried out
to validate the proposed control strategy, based on the
continuous mixed p-norm (CMPN) algorithm. Xiao Li

© 2021 IETE
2 TAPASH KR. DAS ET AL.: STRING FAULT DETECTION IN SOLAR PHOTO VOLTAIC ARRAYS

et al. (2016) introduced fault identification scheme of

solar photovoltaic system based on the internal resis-
tance and transient behaviour [9]. Pierluigi Guerriero
et al. (2016) designed a wireless sensor for real-time
data capturing, continuous monitoring and identifica-
tion of faults in the panel string of a photovoltaic power
plant [10] where, several tests were demonstrated to
validate the performance and reliability of the sensor.
AC parameter characterization-based hot-spot diagno-
sis technique for solar photovoltaic panel strings [11]
was by Katherine A. Kim et al. (2016). A real-time flexi-
ble photovoltaic energy conversion fault-locator system,
based on electrical examination method for observing
faults between two solar panels [12], was developed by
Chao-Lin Kuo et al. (2017). Mahmoud Dhimish et al.
(2017) introduced a novel fault detection algorithm for
grid-connected photovoltaic power plants [13]. In this Figure 1: Single line representation of grid-connected average
model-based microgrid network
attempt, various computer simulations, using statistical
tools and virtual instrumentation with the help of Lab-
VIEW software, were carried out for enhancing identi-
fication accuracy level of faults in microgrids. Zhehan
Yi et al. (2017) presented special multiresolution signal decomposition of output inverter current was carried out,
decomposition and two-stage support vector machine- and then approximate and detail co-efficients were mea-
based fault identification algorithm for photovoltaic pan- sured. Besides DC components and total harmonic dis-
els specifically during low irradiation condition [14]. tortion, both skewness and kurtosis of approximate and
Detection of parallel arc faults in the PV system was detail coefficients were determined at normal and differ-
demonstrated [15] by Chuxuan He et al. (2017). Vari- ent string fault conditions. Then, DWT level-based para-
ation of losses for different PV array configurations at metric optimization was carried out. An algorithm was
different level of irradiance was studied and presented proposed for string fault diagnosis and then validated.
in [16].

A specially designed spread spectrum time domain

reflectometry (SSTDR)-based live string fault detection
model for solar panels was invented by Naveen Kumar
Tumkur Jayakumar et al. (2018) [17]. Ahmadreza Eslami
et al. (2019) introduced a whole new mathematical model
for a large photovoltaic plant to capture the leakage cur-
rent flowing through interconnecting strings of PV array
[18]. Tian Cheng et al. (2019) experimentally showed
the performances of parallel and series connected solar
photo voltaic strings under heavily cracked cells and par-
tial shading conditions. A comparative study was also
carried out to identify various impacts of abnormality on
strings [19]. In some recent works [23,24], usefulness of
wavelet decomposition-based statistical parameters was
observed for detection of faults in DC motor, HVDC sys-
tem and load bus of a power network. However, very little
works have utilized those parameters for the diagnosis of
string faults in solar PV arrays.
Authors, in their previous work [20–22], made an attempt
to use sub-harmonic components for the diagnosis of
string fault in PV arrays. In this work, discrete wavelet
2. MODEL DESCRIPTION
A model of the 400 kW microgrid system was considered
where, output of the PV arrays connected in parallel was
coupled with a three-phase inverter, as shown in Figure 1.
Each PV array contains 48 strings. Five modules in series
combination were connected in each string. The max-
imum power output of each module has 310 Watt and
can deliver 60 V open circuit voltage. Each string is spec-
ified by a short circuit current of 5.5 A, the temperature
co-efficient of −0.26% / ˚C, diode ideality factor of 0.95,
shunt resistance of 420 ohms and series resistance of 0.42
ohms.
Voltage source converter-based average model with three
bridge arms was applied in the inverter, which offers
50 Hz, 220 V to 260 V phase voltage. A star-delta trans-
former of 200 kVA, 260/25 kV, 50 Hz was connected with
the inverter output. The secondary side of the trans-
former is connected with conventional grid and load
systems. The grid is supplied through a transformer of
120 kV/25 kV fed by 2500 MVA, 20 kV generating unit.
 TAPASH KR. DAS ET AL.: STRING FAULT DETECTION IN SOLAR PHOTO VOLTAIC ARRAYS 3

3. FFT-BASED STRING FAULT ASSESSMENT

In the authors’ previous work [20–22], the monitoring
of sub-harmonics-based string fault in PV arrays was
demonstrated. This was done by monitoring the output
current of the inverter connected with PV arrays suffer-
ing from string fault which means a few strings are out of
normal without contributing any power.

Let f be the number of faulty strings, n be the total

number of string and S be the percentage of string fault.

Then,
Figure 2: THD versus Percentage string fault (S %) curve

f
S% = 100 × % (1)
n

The FFT-based analysis was carried out on output

inverter currents for the determination of sub-harmonic
components. Variations of amplitude of each sub-
harmonic frequency with respect to percentage of string
faults were observed; few of them were found almost lin-
ear in nature. Using these relations unknown percentage
of string fault was assessed.

In this work, FFT- and DWT-based analysis of output
inverter currents in a microgrid model was carried out
for at normal and different string fault conditions. Using
the FFT of captured current, THD and DC components
for different frequencies were analysed.
Furthermore, wavelet decomposition of the inverter out-
put currents was carried out to identify the skewness and
kurtosis values of approximate and detail coefficient at
different DWT levels under normal and different string
fault conditions. The Fault diagnosis of inverter output
currents was also monitored.
Figure 3: DC component versus Percentage string fault (S %)
curve
However, all assessments were on the FFT-based analysis
and the nature of output inverter current was observed
as non-stationary. This analysis is more suitable for sta-
tionary waveform and less effective for non-stationary
waveform. Hence, the FFT-based analysis may lead to
less accurate result. This limitation was overcome by
using the wavelet analysis to deal with non-stationary
waveforms for detection of string fault.

From the analysis, different THD values under various

known percentage of string faults (S %) were estimated
as presented in Figure 2.
The nature of the curve is almost linear and decreas-
ing with the increase in the percentage of string faults
from normal and up to 13% of string faults, and then it is
slightly increasing.
Similarly, DC component corresponding to different per-
centage of string faults (S%) was also calculated as pre-
sented in Figure 3. The nature of the curve is almost
linear and increasing with the increase in the percentage
of string faults from normal and up to 15%, and then it
becomes almost constant.
4. WAVELET DECOMPOSITION-BASED STRING
FAULT ASSESSMENT
Here, the current signals were captured from the out-
put terminal of the three-phase inverter. Then, Discrete
Wavelet Transformation (DWT) was performed on the
captured current signals. The wavelet decomposition was
carried out up to DWT level nine. Approximate and detail
co-efficients from level 1 to level 9 were calculated. Then,
different statistical parameters such as both skewness
and kurtosis of approximate and detail co-efficients were
determined. Various results obtained in this way during
normal as well as different string fault conditions have
been demonstrated in section 4.1–4.9. In this study, SA
denotes skewness values of approximate coefficients and
4 TAPASH KR. DAS ET AL.: STRING FAULT DETECTION IN SOLAR PHOTO VOLTAIC ARRAYS
Figure 4: SA versus S% for DWT level 1–9
SD denotes detailed coefficients of wavelet decomposi-
tion. KA denotes the kurtosis values of approximate coef-
ficients and KD denotes detailed coefficients of wavelet
decomposition. Skewness [23,24] is a measure of the
symmetry of any dataset, i.e. a dataset is symmetric, if it
looks the same to the left and right of the centre point. If
the result of the computation is (a) greater than zero, the
distribution is positively skewed, (b) less than zero, the
distribution is negatively skewed, (c) if equals zero, the
distribution is symmetric. The formula for skewness can
be expressed as follows:
N 3 percentage of string faults (S %) were estimated as shown
(Y − Ȳ)
Skewness = i=1 (2)
(N − 1)D3
In the above equation, D denotes the standard devia-
tion, denotes the mean, N denotes the number of data
points. Kurtosis [23] is a parameter that describes the
shape of a random variable’s probability distribution with
respect to normal condition. The datasets with high kur-
tosis tend to have heavy outliers and datasets with low
kurtosis lack outliers. Thus, if the result of the computa-
tion is (a) positive, then relatively peaked distribution is
observed and (b) negative, then relatively flat distribution
is observed.
4.1 Analysis of Skewness Values of Approximate
Coefficient
After wavelet decomposition, skewness values of approx-
imate co-efficients (SA) at DWT level 1 to DWT level 9
during normal and various percentage of string fault con-
ditions (S%) were determined. From the analysis, skew-
ness values of approximate co-efficients (SA) at different
in Figure 4.
4.2 Analysis of Skewness Values of Detail
Co-efficient
Similarly, under normal and various percentage of string
fault conditions (S %), the skewness values of detail co-
efficients (SD) at DWT level 1 to DWT level 9 were
determined. The curve between skewness values of detail
co-efficient (SD) and percentage of string faults (S %)
 TAPASH KR. DAS ET AL.: STRING FAULT DETECTION IN SOLAR PHOTO VOLTAIC ARRAYS
Figure 5: SD versus S% for DWT level 1–9
obtained is shown in Figure 5. It shows the variations of
SD at different DWT levels for normal and other string
fault conditions. SD at DWT level 1, 2, 3 and 5 decreases
with the increase of percentage of string fault (S %). How-
ever, SD at DWT levels 6 and 9 shows increasing in nature
with the increase of percentage of string fault (S %) and
SD at DWT level 4, 7 and 8 are different nature from
DWT level 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9.
4.3 Analysis of Kurtosis Values of Approximate
Co-efficient
Kurtosis values of approximate co-efficients (KA) at
DWT level 1 to DWT level 9 during normal and various
percentage of string fault conditions (S %) were deter-
mined. The kurtosis values of approximate co-efficient
(KA) versus string faults (S %) curve are shown in
Figure 6.
It shows the variations of KA at different DWT levels for
normal and other string fault conditions. KA at DWT
5
levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 shows considerable change i.e.
decreases with the increase of percentage of string fault
(S %) up to 18.75%. However, KA at DWT level 7 and
8 shows different nature with respect to S%. KA at level
9 increases almost linearly from 0% to 18.75% of string
fault. KA at level 6 is almost linear and increases from 0%
to 13.5% of string fault and then decreases linearly with
negative slope up to 18.75%.
4.4 Analysis of Kurtosis Values of Detail
Co-efficient
Kurtosis values of detail co-efficients (KD) at DWT level
1 to DWT level 9 under normal and various percent-
age of string fault conditions (S%) were determined. The
relation between kurtosis of approximate co-efficients
(KA) and percentage of string faults (S %) was assessed
as shown in Figure 7. It shows the variations of KA at
different DWT levels for normal and other string fault
conditions. KD at DWT level 1 and 2 is increasing in
nature and DWT levels 3 and 4 are zigzag in nature and
6 TAPASH KR. DAS ET AL.: STRING FAULT DETECTION IN SOLAR PHOTO VOLTAIC ARRAYS
Figure 6: KA versus S% for DWT level 1–9
no specific relations were found with the increase of per-
centage of string fault. KD at DWT levels 5, 6 and 9
is almost linear and decreases with the increase of per-
centage string fault from 0 to 18.75% for levels 5 and 6,
for level 9, it is decreasing with the increase of percent-
age string fault from 0 to 14% and slightly increasing in
nature from 14% to 18.75% of string fault. KD at DWT
level 7 initially increases from normal to 3% of percent-
age string fault and then decreases in nature up to 18.75%.
Nature of KD for level 8 has a negative slope and initially
decreases from normal to 9% of string fault, and then
increases with the increasing percentage of string fault up
to 18.75%.
4.5 Level Optimization
DWT level optimization was performed to choose one
best curve from nine curves from each plane (SA –
S%, SD – S%, KA-S% and KD-S %). In DWT level
optimization, the curve that shows almost linear (either
decreasing or increasing) was chosen as presented in
Figure 8. Among different curves of 4, the level at which
SA shows almost linear nature and decreases with the
increase of percentage string fault were chosen and hence
DWT level 9 was selected. The corresponding curve is
shown in Figure 8(a).
Similarly, level at which the nature of SD shows almost
linear and decreases with the increasing of percentage
string fault were chosen from curves of 5 and hence DWT
level 5 was selected. The corresponding curve is shown in
Figure 8(b).
In the same way, level at which the nature of KA shows
almost linear and increases with the increase of per-
centage string fault was chosen from curves of Figure 6
and hence DWT level 9 was selected. The corresponding
curve is shown in Figure 8(c).
Among different curves of Figure 7, the level at which
KD shows almost linear nature and decreases with the
increase of percentage string fault were chosen and hence
DWT level 5 was selected. The corresponding curves are
shown in Figure 8(d).
 TAPASH KR. DAS ET AL.: STRING FAULT DETECTION IN SOLAR PHOTO VOLTAIC ARRAYS 7

Figure 7: KD versus S% for DWT level 1–9

Thus, based on level optimization the following four 4.7 Case Study for Validation
parameters were chosen: SA at level 9 i.e. SA9, SD at level
For validation purpose, data from three different real
5 i.e. SD5, KA at level 9 i.e. KA9 and KD at level 5 i.e.
cases having few faulty strings were considered.
KD5. Furthermore, to show the distinguishing behaviour
between SA 9, SD 5, KA 9 and KD 5, a bar chart is
In Case-1, a microgrid of 300kW having voltage source
demonstrated in Figure 9.
converter (average model)-based inverter connected
with 4 solar photo voltaic arrays in parallel combina-
tion was considered. Each array consists of 4 parallel
strings and each string has 5 series connected modules.
4.6 Algorithm
At healthy condition, the maximum power is 315.072-
Based on optimization, an algorithm has been proposed watt, open circuit voltage (V oc ) is 64.6 volts, short-circuit
as follows: current (I sc ) is 6.14 amp. The voltage at maximum power
point (V amp ) is 54.7 volts, current at maximum power
(a) Capture current from Inverter output point (I mp ) is 5.76 A. Temperature co-efficient of V oc
(b) Perform wavelet decomposition (%/˚C) is −0.27269 and temperature co-efficient of I sc
(c) Determine SA9, SD5, KA9 and KD5 (%/°C) is 0.061694. The value of diode ideality factor is
(d) Determine S% from the relation of SA9, SD5, KA9 0.9507, shunt resistance Rsh and series resistance Rs are
and KD5 430.0559 and 0.43042 ohms, respectively.
8 TAPASH KR. DAS ET AL.: STRING FAULT DETECTION IN SOLAR PHOTO VOLTAIC ARRAYS

Figure 8: (a) SA – S% at DWT level 9, (b) SD – S% at DWT level 5, (c) KA – S% at DWT level 9, (d) KD – S% at DWT level 5

In Case-2, a microgrid of 250 kW having IGBT-based

inverter connected with 1 solar photo voltaic array was
considered. The array consists of 88 parallel strings and
each string has 7 series connected modules. At healthy
condition, the maximum power is 414.801-watt, open
circuit voltage (V oc ) is 85.3 volts, short-circuit current
(I sc ) is 6.09 amp. The voltage at maximum power point
(V amp ) is 72.9 volts, current at maximum power point
(I mp ) is 0.030706 amp. Temperature co-efficient of V oc
(%/°C) is −0.229 and temperature co-efficient of I sc
(%/°C) is 0.030706. The value of diode ideality factor is
0.87223, shunt resistance Rsh is 419.7813ohms and series
resistance Rs is 0.5371ohms.

In Case-3, a microgrid of 100KW having voltage source
converter (average model)-based inverter connected
with 1 solar photo voltaic array was considered. The array
consists of 66 parallel strings and each string has 5 series
connected modules. At healthy condition, the maximum
power is 305.226 watts, open circuit voltage (V oc ) is 64.2
volts, short-circuit current (I sc ) is 5.96 Amp. The voltage
at maximum power point (V amp ) is 54.7 volts, current
at maximum power point (I mp ) is 5.58 amp. Temper-
ature co-efficient of V oc (%/°C) is −0.27269 and tem-
perature co-efficient of I sc (%/°C) is 0.061745. The value
of diode ideality factor is 0.94504; shunt resistance Rsh
Figure 9: SA9, SD 5, KA9, KD5 – S%
and series resistance Rs are 269.5934 and 0.37152 ohms,
respectively.
In Case 1, the number of faulty strings (f) is 4 and per-
centage string fault (known) (S %) is 1.56%. In Case 2,
the number of faulty strings is 20 and percentage string
fault (known) (S %) is 7.81% and in Case 3, the number
of faulty strings is 28 and percentage string fault (known)
(S %) is 14.06%.
 TAPASH KR. DAS ET AL.: STRING FAULT DETECTION IN SOLAR PHOTO VOLTAIC ARRAYS 9

Table 1: Determination of unknown string fault using SA9, SD5, KA9 and KD5
% string
Case No fault (S%) Name of optimized parameter SA9 SD5 KA9 KD5 Remarks
1 1.56% Optimized parameter value −3.22864 0.397322 20.3158 3.203366 KA9 shows minimum
error
String fault (calculated using optimized SC–SA9 = 1.3 SC–SD5 = 1.52 SC−KA9 = 1.59 SC−KD5 = 1.75
parameter) SC =
|Error| = |(S – SC) | = 0.26 0.04 0.03 0.19
2 7.81% Optimized parameter −3.26909 0.383368 20.57509 3.132033 KA9 shows minimum
error
String fault (calculated using optimized SC–SA9 = 7.6 SC–SD5 = 7.79 SC−KA9 = 7.8 SC−KD5 = 7.9
parameter) SC =
|Error| = |(S – SC) | = 0.21 0.02 0.01 0.09
3 14.06% Optimized parameter −3.30483 0.374383 20.79227 3.089754 KA9 shows minimum
error
String fault (calculated using optimized SC–SA9 = 13.95 SC–SD5 = 14 SC−KA9 = 14.1 SC−KD5 = 14.15
parameter) SC =
|Error| = |(S – SC) | = 0.11 0.06 0.04 0.09

Table 2: Error (E) in the calculation of string fault by SA9,

SD5, KA9 and KD5
Error (E) comparison
Cases SA9 SD5 KA9 KD5
1 0.26 0.04 0.03 0.19
2 0.21 0.02 0.01 0.09
3 0.11 0.06 0.04 0.09

With the help of optimized parameters (SA9, SD5, KA9

and KD5) and by the algorithm, the corresponding string
faults (SC ) were calculated for the three cases, as pre-
sented in Table 1. SC–SA9 , SC–SD5, SC–KA9 and SC–KD5 be
the percentage of string fault calculated (SC ) using SA9,
SD5, KA9 and KD5, respectively. Error was calculated in
each case as follows: Figure 10: Comparison of percentage error in the calculation of
string faults by SA9, SD5, KA9 and KD5
E = S − Sc (3)
Finally, comparing with the known percentage string
faults, the errors for percentage string faults calculated
by four optimized parameters in all three cases were In Case 3 (14.06% of string fault), among four calculated
estimated as presented in Table 1. error values of optimized parameters, KA9 also shows the
minimum error.
4.8 Error Comparision
Therefore, in all the above cases, the minimum errors
Errors of Table 1 for four optimized parameters in all have been observed for optimized parameter KA9.
cases have been extracted and presented in Table 2. These
errors have been compared by bar chart as shown in
Figure 10. 4.9 Modified Algorithm

For Case 1 i.e. 1.56% of string fault, among four calculated As KA9 shows the minimum error in the determination
error values of 0.26, 0.04, 0.03 and 0.19, the error value of of string faults among four optimized parameters, this
optimized parameter KA9 shows the minimum error of parameter is finally selected and the algorithm has been
0.03. modified as follows:

Similarly, for Case 2 i.e. 7.81% of string fault, among the (a) Capture current from inverter output
four calculated error values 0.21, 0.02, 0.01 and 0.09, the (b) Perform wavelet decomposition
optimized parameter KA9 shows the minimum error of (c) Determine KA9
0.01. (d) Determine S% from the relation of KA9
10 TAPASH KR. DAS ET AL.: STRING FAULT DETECTION IN SOLAR PHOTO VOLTAIC ARRAYS
Table 3: Error (E) in the calculation of string fault by KA9, THD, DC component
Error (E) comparison
Case 1
KA9 THD DC comp. KA9
0.03 0.04 0.04 0.01
Figure 11: Comparison of percentage error in the calculation of
string faults by KA9, THD and DC component
4.10 Comparative Study and Discussion
For all three cases, string faults were determined using
the relationship shown by THD and DC components and
corresponding errors were calculated. Errors obtained by
KA9, THD and DC components in the determination
of string faults for all three cases are presented in Table
3. These errors have been compared by a bar chart, as
shown in Figure 11. Again, it shows that for KA9 gives the
minimum error. Thus, compared to DC component and
THD-based assessments, wavelet decomposition-based
kurtosis of approximate co-efficient at DWT level 9 gives
a more satisfactory result.
A few analytical issues are involved with the works that
are discussed as follows:
Why up to 20%: In reality, it is easier to detect higher per-
centage of string fault by amplitude/rms monitoring
of electrical parameters. It is difficult to detect incip-
ient and smaller percentage of string fault. This has
motivated authors to set the range of presentation
low and up to 20% starting from 1%. In simulation
environment, the proposed method has detected
1% string fault accurately, in practical environment
1.56% fault has been detected accurately. This early
detection can be used as alarm and necessary cor-
rective measures can be taken to minimize large
damage and enhance reliability of the supply.
Case 2 Case 3
THD DC comp. KA9 THD DC comp.
0.06 0.08 0.04 0.06 0.07
Nature: Above 20% string fault, THD increases up to
around 60% of fault and then becomes almost flat.
DC component becomes almost flat above 20%.
However, in this work detection of small percentage
of string fault has been attempted and therefore the
nature of THD and DC components at higher per-
centage of the fault has not been presented. More-
over, the study shows that Kurtosis parameter is
better for string fault assessment than other param-
eters.
Switching Effect: THD, due to switching effect, depends
largely on inverter type. Therefore, firstly, initial
knowledge gathering is required to get the average
percentage of THD due to switching. This value
will remain even during the occurrence of string
fault. THD due to string fault brings changes in the
existing THD value. Secondly, once the system con-
figuration becomes fixed, switching distortion range
becomes a known parameter.
Moreover, the outcomes show that Kurtosis is better
suitable for string fault assessment. Thus the ulti-
mate fault detection does not depend only on THD
but also largely on the analysis of Kurtosis nature.
This parameter is not dependent on a particular fre-
quency component. It depends on the distribution
nature of a large number of wavelet-based decom-
position in multilevels.
Kurtosis: The outcomes show that Kurtosis is better
suitable for string fault assessment. Thus the ulti-
mate fault detection does not depend only on THD
but also large on Kurtosis nature. This parameter
is not dependent on particular frequency compo-
nent. It depends on the distribution nature of a
large number of wavelet-based decomposition coef-
ficients in multilevels. Moreover, Kurtosis nature
considers sudden peaks in any data distribution.
Thus, it is capable of performing well even in a noisy
environment. The results and outcomes have also
proved that the Kurtosis is detecting the percentage
of string fault accurately.
5. INTUITIONAL OUTCOME
Intuitional outcome of the work carried out for string
fault assessment of solar PV system may be drawn as
follows:
 TAPASH KR. DAS ET AL.: STRING FAULT DETECTION IN SOLAR PHOTO VOLTAIC ARRAYS
• String fault does not have any quantitative effect on the
power output fed to grid.
• But it has qualitative effects on power signals.
• Effects are reflected in terms of harmonic and very
small unidirectional components.
• String fault changes Harmonics Distortion; however,
exact percentage of string fault is difficult to derive
from it.
• If the signals are decomposed into arrays of wavelet
coefficients and also if their statistical variations are
monitored, exact percentage of string fault can be
determined with high accuracy in particular decom-
position level.
6. CONCLUSION
This paper presents estimation of string faults in solar
PV arrays connected with the microgrid system. Inverter
output currents were captured, DC components and
total harmonics distortion of the current waveforms
were measured and relationships were found between
those parameters and percentage of string faults. Wavelet
decompositions were performed with the currents. Kur-
tosis and skewness parameters were determined at differ-
ent DWT levels for different percentage of string faults.
Parametric optimization was performed to choose par-
ticular DWT level for each parameter which shows defi-
nite relation with the percentage string faults. Case stud-
ies were performed with real data and the proposed
algorithm was tested. Based on the results of case studies,
kurtosis of approximate co-efficient of level 9 (KA9) was
chosen, as it shows the minimum error in all three cases
and the algorithm was modified accordingly. Perfor-
mances of KA9, THD and DC component for the assess-
ment of unknown string fault were compared; again, KA9
showed the minimum error. Thus, this method and the
optimized parameter may be used for string fault assess-
ment and the work may be extended for the diagnosis of
other faults.
ORCID
Tapash Kr. Das http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0834-5241
Surajit Chattopadhyay http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5775-
061X
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 TAPASH KR. DAS ET AL.: STRING FAULT DETECTION IN SOLAR PHOTO VOLTAIC ARRAYS
AUTHORS
Tapash Kumar Das was born in West Ben-
gal, India on January 6, 1980. He obtained
B. Tech. and M. Tech., in Electrical Engi-
neering degrees from the West Bengal
University of Technology in 2006 and
2008, respectively. He has authored/co-
authored around 12 papers published in
International and National seminars, con-
ferences and journals. He obtained MIET from the Institu-
tion of Engineering and Technology, UK in 2018. He com-
pleted Rooftop Solar Grid Engineer training programme from
National Institute of Solar Energy, Gurugram, Haryana, India
in 2018. Presently, he is Assistant Professor in the Department
of Electrical Engineering in Ghani Khan Choudhury Institute
of Engineering and Technology. His field of interest includes
power system, renewable energy resources, micro-grids, waste
to energy, etc.
Corresponding author. Email: p− tapash− das@yahoo.co.in
Surajit Chattopadhyay was born in
Hooghly, West Bengal, India. He obtained
B. Sc. Degree in Physics Honours from
Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandir (CU),
in 1998, and then B. Tech., M. Tech., in
Electrical Engineering and Ph. D (Tech-
nology) degrees from the Department of
Applied Physics of University of Calcutta
13
in 2001, 2003 and 2010, respectively. He obtained CEng from
Engineering Council, UK in 2013 and got FIE from the Institu-
tion of Engineers, India in 2018. He has authored/co-authored
four books and around 130 of papers published in Interna-
tional and National journals and conferences and three books.
Presently, he is with the Department of Electrical Engineer-
ing in Ghani Khan Choudhury Institute of Engineering and
Technology. His field of interest includes electric power qual-
ity, smart grid, fault diagnosis, power system protection, signal
analysis, robotic application and UAV.
Email: surajitchattopadhyay@gmail.com
Arabinda Das was born in 1966. Presently,
he is Professor in the Electrical Engi-
neering Department, Jadavpur University,
India. Before joining in Jadavpur Univer-
sity in 1999, he worked as Lecturer in
Regional Engineering College (presently
NIT, Durgapur), Durgapur, India from
1996. He obtained his B. Tech., M. Tech.
and Ph.D. (Tech.) degrees in 1990, 1992 and 2000, respectively
in Electrical Machines and Power System from the University
of Calcutta. His field of interest is the application of micropro-
cessor/microcontroller in electrical engineering and Modelling
and Simulation of Electrical Systems. Dr. Das has guided a
number of Masters and PhD students.
Email: adas− ee− ju@yahoo.com