Maximum Power Point Tracking Control by Particle Swarm Optimization for Photovoltaic Power Generation System during the Partial Shading Condition

Abstract

The characteristics of photovoltaic power generation system is nonlinear. In addition, photovoltaic characteristics becomes more complex due to partial shading condition. This paper examine the impact on the characteristic in a partial shading condition, and proposes an improved maximum power point tracking control using the optimum method of a particle swarm optimization algorithm. The main advantage of this revised method has the ability to keep tracking the maximum power point even in extreme cases, e.g., in a partial shading condition.