Enhancing PV system grid stability through reliable flexible power point tracking under partial shading

Flexible power point tracking (FPPT) is incorporated in photovoltaic (PV) systems to enhance the quality and reliability of electricity generation while minimizing grid disruptions and overloads. Grid-friendly systems that contribute to grid control can be developed by modifying maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms. However, the widely used perturb and observe (PO) method for FPPT (FPPT-PO) suffers from oscillations around steady-state operating points, which is problematic. Solutions provided in previous studies on FPPT algorithms that address partial shading conditions (PSC) are limited. In this study, the principles of particle swarm optimization (PSO) are utilized to propose a reliable and sustainable FPPT-PSO algorithm. It involves a power limiting control (PLC) approach that prevents oscillations at steady-state operating points under PSC and avoids being ensnared at a local maximum power point. Additionally, the suggested FPPT-PSO algorithm detects changes in power requirements or irradiation conditions. The proposed FPPT-PSO algorithm outperforms other state-of-the-art solutions under PSC, providing more precise PV system performance and avoiding grid disruption and overload. The suggested method is evaluated using MATLAB/Simulink, and precise tracking of the global maximum power point (GMPP) is demonstrated. Drawing on the simulation outcomes, the proposed FPPT-PSO algorithm can perfectly follow the flexible power point (FPP) without fluctuating around a steady-state operating point under PSC, achieving an efficiency of 99.10% by accurately tracking the GMPP under high irradiance fluctuations.