Global maximum power point tracking in partially shaded PV systems using plant reproduction algorithm

Abstract

The power–voltage curve of photovoltaic (PV) power generation system under partial shading conditions (PSC) is non-monotonic with multiple power peaks and traditional methods do not guarantee global convergence which leads to energy loss. This paper proposes a new tracking scheme for global maximum power point (GMPP) on a shaded PV system based on plant reproduction algorithm (PRA). The concept of PRA is suitably tailored towards maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and lucidly explained in this work. The algorithm is applied towards MPPT in several shaded PV architectures through computer simulations and later verified through experimentation. Computed and measured results show that PRA quickly identifies GMPP and further provides significantly improved MPPT characteristic curves compared to established alternatives.