Maximum Power Point Tracking Under Shadowed Conditions

Photovoltaic (PV) array output characteristics under shadowed conditions have multi local maximum power points, but traditional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods cannot identify global maximum power points. This paper proposed a new global MPPT method under shadowed condition. Output characteristics of shadowed PV array under different illumination and temperature were simulated by Matlab software. The change rule of voltage-differential coefficient curve feature was summarized and equivalent area was introduced to located real maximum power point interval. On this basis, a multi-local MPPT method was developed. Simulation and experimental results were presented to validate the proposed method.