Fireworks Enriched P&O Algorithm for GMPPT and Detection of Partial Shading in PV Systems

Global maximum power point tracking (GMPPT) strategies for photovoltaic systems are effective under nonuniform irradiation conditions but cause unnecessary power loss due to wide search under uniform irradiance. This paper proposes a scheme for detecting the type of irradiation, viz., uniform or nonuniform, using the trend observed in the string maximum power point (MPP) voltage and current. This partial shading detection scheme is implemented in a GMPPT control strategy combining the conventional perturb and observe (P&O) algorithm and the Fireworks Algorithm (FWA). Under uniform irradiation conditions, the P&O algorithm is used owing to the lower magnitude of power oscillations during tracking as compared to the FWA. On the other hand, under partial shading conditions, the FWA is employed due to its global search and fast tracking capability. The proposed GMPPT method is tested experimentally to verify its effectiveness under different shading patterns.