Maximum Power Extraction Using Random Binary Searching Algorithm Under Non-uniform Insolation

Maximum power point tracker (MPPT) controls the DC/DC converter for extracting maximum power from solar photovoltaic (SPV) array connected with power generation system. MPPT operates at its maximum power point (MPP) (Vmp, Imp) irrespective to load conditions and input weather conditions. Use of by-pass diodes in series-connected SPV modules under non-uniform insolation is a key cause for many power peaks in the power–voltage characteristics of SPV array. Henceforth the problem of MPPT under partial shading becomes a nonlinear optimization problem. A new quick and reliable MPPT technique is proposed in this paper to identify the global MPP under partial shadow conditions. The computation time and correctness in tracking global MPP are compared with standard soft computing techniques: modified binary (MB) search, differential evolution (DE) techniques, and particle swarm optimization (PSO). The results show correctness of the presented random binary search technique in tracking the global MPP in very less time than the conventional soft computing techniques. The technique is quick, simple, and oscillation-free for tracking global MPP in least iterations; hence, the computation (hardware) requirements are less than that using PSO and DE MPPT techniques.