New Segmentation method for Enhancing Performance of MPPT Algorithm under Partial Shading Condition

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) system has erratic output concerning irradiance and temperature. The MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) algorithms are used to draw maximum power from the PV system to load. The output of the PV system becomes more inconsistent under partial shading condition (PSC) and Maximum Power Point (MPP) tracking become tedious as MPP position is dynamic according to the shading intensity. Various conventional and heuristic MPPT algorithms are subsisting with different approaches for different conditions. Most of these MPPT algorithms track the entire power vs voltage curve, increasing complexity and computational time. MPP tracking based on segments can be a solution to this. Perturb and observe (P&O) MPPT algorithm is a well-recognized MPPT algorithm but it is inept at tracking accurate MPP under shading condition. P&O algorithm gets trapped at first local MPP. Here a novel segmentation method is applied with P&O MPPT algorithm to detect MPP for partial shading condition.