Smart hybrid algorithm for global maximum power point tracking under partial shading conditions

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is a complex task due to the nonlinear behavior of the photovoltaic (PV) array. Moreover, partial shading (PS) is a major problem that significantly decreases the overall system's efficiency, whereas traditional algorithms are mostly local searches and thus cannot guarantee global optimality. Therefore, Swarm Intelligence (SI) algorithms are developed to circumvent this problem. Existing SI algorithms like Cuckoo Search (CS) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) have been used to address partial shading issues; nevertheless, there is a research gap in developing hybrid methods that combine these two algorithms to enhance MPPT performance under various environmental conditions. This paper fills this research gap by providing a novel hybrid algorithm called Smart Hybrid Algorithm (SHA). The developed optimizer avoids the common disadvantages of conventional MPPT techniques and provides a simple and robust MPPT tracker to handle PS in PV systems effectively. The proposed optimizer features a reset function to restart the search process for the new GMPP at any irradiance change. Multiple performance tests were conducted using 4S, 8S, 10S, 12S, and 4S2P PV array configurations to investigate the performance of our optimizer. The results obtained are compared to those of well-known recent algorithms. The proposed system demonstrates a convergence time of less than one second and a steady state power efficiency exceeding 99.79% across various complex partial shading scenarios. It also offers a convergence time reduction of at least 14% compared to other techniques. The findings demonstrate the robustness and suitability of SHA to handle complex partial shading conditions (CPSCs) and uniform irradiance with high dynamic and steady-state efficiencies and minor transient power fluctuations.