Multiple Peaks Maximum Power Point Tracking of Photovoltaic Arrays based on the Jumping Strategy

The output characteristic curves of photovoltaic array under partial shading conditions are divided into several segments and there are many peaks in them. This paper proposes a novel tracking algorithm based on the jumping strategy. Through the improved load line function, we can make the working point jump out of the local optimal range. Then every local maximum power point is found by using the conductance increment method. The global maximum power point is gotten by comparing the local optimal points. In the end, a model which simulates the characteristics of photovoltaic array is built. By simulating the tracking process from uniform solar irradiance to partial shading, it is shown that the proposed method can accurately locate the global maximum power point under partial shading conditions.