Sizing Optimization of Large-Scale Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System using Dolphin Echolocation Algorithm

This paper presents the sizing optimization of large-scale Grid-Connected Photovoltaic (GCPV) system using Dolphin Echolocation Algorithm (DEA). In this study, DEA was used to optimally determine the type of photovoltaic module and the type of inverter such that the performance ratio of the GCPV system is maximized. Besides that, the sizing algorithm also computed total number of PV modules, total number of inverters, PV array configuration, the PV module arrangement in a block of PV array, total energy generated and specific yield. The DEA-based sizing algorithm was found to outperform the conventional iterative based sizing algorithm by requiring lower computation time with similar performance ratio.