Maximum Power Point Tracking of Grid Connected PV System Under Partial Shading Condition Using Grey Wolf Algorithm

To optimize the usage of solar energy, it is an utmost need to run the photovoltaic (PV) panels at their maximum power point (MPP), which may be done by applying maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques. However, during partial shading situation p-v curve will have many peaks which makes tracking more challenging. The global MPPT point cannot be properly tracked using conventional MPPT control methods. In this study, a novel MPPT control method called the grey wolf algorithm (GWA) is described, and a levy distribution is derived to improve the convergence of the GWA. This study uses the GWA to examine the system having a single-phase inverter control connected in a partially shaded PV along with single-phase grid-connected system. The system comprises four parallel-connected PV arrays that are partially shaded, a boost converter, an RC filter, and a single-phase inverter connected with the grid. Here, proportional resonant (PR) control is used for inner current control along with Proportional Integral (PI) controller for outer voltage controller. The PR controller can able to track the sinusoidal reference current with zero steady-state error. The overall system is simulated in MATLAB Simulink environment and the simulation result shows that the PR controller can successfully able to track the sinusoidal reference inverter current and reduce the overall harmonics.