A Novel MPPT Method Based on Cuckoo Search Algorithm and Golden Section Search Algorithm for Partially Shaded PV System

Cuckoo Search (CS) is a new optimization algorithm based on meta-heuristic (MH) approach. It has been used to solve optimization problem in many applications including Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) problem. MH based algorithm is usually deployed to encounter a multiple peak problem in partially shaded centralized Photovoltaic (PV) system. CS algorithm performs a good result in tracking the Global Maximum Power Point (GMPP) compared to other MH based algorithms. However it still requires a relatively long tracking time to locate the Global Maximum Power Point (GMPP). This paper proposes a new MPPT algorithm by combining CS algorithm with Golden Section Search (GSS) algorithm to cultivate beneficial features from both algorithms. To validate the proposed algorithm, it will be evaluated by using various cases of partial shading. The result shows a noticeable performance improvement compared to original CS algorithm and other MH algorithm.