An Improved MPPT Controller for Photovoltaic System Under Partial Shading Condition

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is an integral part of a system of energy conversion using photovoltaic (PV) arrays. The power-voltage characteristic of PV arrays operating under partial shading conditions exhibits multiple local maximum power points (LMPPs). In this paper, a new method has been presented to track the global maximum power point (GMPP) of PV. Compared with the past proposed global MPPT techniques, the method proposed in this paper has the advantages of determining whether partial shading is present, calculating the number of peaks on P-V curves, and predicting the locations of GMPP and LMPP. The new method can quickly find GMPP, and avoid much energy loss due to blind scan. The experimental results verify that the proposed method guarantees convergence to the global MPP under partial shading conditions.