Effects of PSO Algorithm Parameters on the MPPT System Under Partial Shading Condition

Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) systems enable photovoltaic (PV) panels to work at their Maximum PowerPoint (MPP). To do this, several algorithms have been developed, including conventional, intelligent, and meta-heuristic. Once a partial shading condition (PSC) occurs, more than one peak emerges in the power-voltage curve of photovoltaic arrays. Under PSCs, conventional algorithms get stuck at the local maximum point and fail to reach the global maximum point. Being an alternative method, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm has been frequently employed for MPPT systems under PSCs. This algorithm has some parameters that affect its performance to reach the global MPP of the PV panel. Therefore, with well-tuned parameters, the effectiveness of the PSO will increase for the different PSCs. In this study, the effects of the cognitive learning and social learning parameters of the PSO algorithm are investigated under different PSCs. To achieve this, an MPPT system, including a boost-type DC-DC converter, is created in MATLAB®/Simulink®. Simulation studies show that the PSO algorithm fails to track global MPP with constant cognitive and social learning parameters under changing partial shading conditions. Furthermore, the results show that these two parameters affect the time to reach the MPP of the PSO algorithm.