Advanced techniques for maximizing photovoltaic power: A systematic literature review

Abstract

Maximizing energy yield in photovoltaic (PV) systems remains a critical engineering challenge due to environmental variability, thermal losses, and suboptimal energy extraction strategies. This paper presents a comprehensive systematic literature review (SLR) that uniquely integrates three major PV power enhancement domains: MPPT, solar tracking, and thermal management. In contrast to prior reviews that assess these areas in isolation, this work offers a unified and comparative perspective, emphasizing the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) and metaheuristic optimization algorithms across all three domains. Peer-reviewed studies from the last decade were selected using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Techniques are classified into conventional, AI-based, and hybrid categories. MPPT methods are evaluated through both implementation-specific metrics (e.g., complexity, robustness, convergence time) and simulation-based performance indicators (e.g., tracking efficiency, energy gain). Similarly, solar tracking systems are analyzed with respect to tracking accuracy and energy improvements, while cooling strategies, spanning passive, active, and hybrid solutions, are reviewed for their impact on thermal regulation and electrical efficiency. Real-world deployment examples are also incorporated to assess practical applicability. The review highlights persistent challenges such as high computational and hardware requirements for intelligent and hybrid methods, sensitivity to parameter tuning, oscillations or slow convergence in certain algorithms, and increased cost and mechanical complexity in advanced tracking and cooling solutions, moreover, intelligent optimization remains underexplored in PV cooling applications. The study concludes with key research gaps and outlines future directions for developing integrated, intelligent, and climate-resilient PV systems. This work serves as a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners aiming to design high-performance solar energy solutions.