Fault Detection for Photovoltaic Systems Using Fuzzy C-Means Clustering

This work aims at developing a fault detection system for photovoltaic systems (PVSs) based on the Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) clustering technique. A simulator is developed based on a mathematical model of the PVS by considering three groups of faults: shading, short circuit, and junction box to investigate the fault effects in photovoltaic systems. Several tests are carried out and indicate that the FCM is able to detect these faults and separate the data of a faulty PVS from that of a healthy one based on uncertain data obtained from different weather conditions.