A hybrid technique to harvest maximum power from PV systems under partial shading conditions

Abstract

Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) under partial shading condition is the main issue in Photovoltaic (PV) system. This research work is based on a hybrid mechanism for MPPT problem by utilizing two commonly used techniques. The whole algorithm is divided into two stages. Initially it uses Fractional Open Circuit Voltage (FOCV) technique in order to detect Global Maxima (GM) region. Once the GM region is achieved the variable step sized incremental conductance technique can easily detect the Maximum Power Point (MPP). The proposed technique is fast, accurate and simple to implement. This algorithm is implemented and tested using MATLAB/Simulink and the robustness of this algorithm is verified by testing this algorithm under different partial shading conditions. Finally the superiority of this algorithm is judged by comparing this algorithm with other MPPT algorithms.