A novel global maximum power point tracking algorithm based on Nelder-Mead simplex technique for complex partial shading conditions

Abstract

In this study, a novel global maximum power point tracking (GMPPT) algorithm for photovoltaic generation system (PGS) operating under complex partial shading conditions is proposed. The presented GMPPT technique is based on Nelder-Mead (NM) simplex technique, which is commonly used to solve complicated optimization problems and has advantages such as simple implementation, derivative-free nature, fast convergence, and high accuracy. In this study, simulation results of 252 shading patterns with non-repeatable irradiance levels and 243 shading patterns under repeatable irradiance levels are provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed GMPPT methods. According to the simulated and experimental results, the presented NM-based GMPPT approach has the highest success rate and tracking accuracy under all the tested shading patterns compared with other GMPPT methods.