PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF P&O AND PSO MPPT ALGORITHMS FOR PV SYSTEMS UNDER PARTIAL SHADING

Photovoltaic (PV) modules are devices that transform photon energy into electrical energy. The output power of the PV modules is influenced by the intensity of solar radiation and the ambient temperature. Non-uniform shading can cause variations in the extent of sunlight absorbed by PV modules, resulting in a decrease in power output. Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques are employed to optimize the power output of PV modules by operating them at their maximum power point (MPP). The main objective of the study is to investigate the performance analysis of Perturb and Observe (P&O) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) MPPT strategies in uniform and partially shaded conditions with equally and unequally different irradiance differences. Simulation studies were conducted on the PV circuit model using Matlab/Simulink, and the results were evaluated. MPPT algorithms are compared based on their tracking efficiency and convergence speed when solar radiation conditions vary. The findings of the simulation indicate that the P&O is unable to determine global MPP and gets trapped in one of the local MPPs. However, the PSO is very effective in tracking MPP under different partial shading patterns with more than 96% tracking efficiency. In the first partial shading configuration where the sunlight intensity of the PV modules is uniformly distributed, the PSO technique has reduced steadystate oscillations around the MPP. However, the P&O technique demonstrates superior response time and convergence speed in comparison to the PSO technique.