Development of a hybrid genetic algorithm/perturb and observe algorithm for maximum power point tracking in photovoltaic systems under non-uniform insolation

The power-voltage characteristic curve of photovoltaic systems under partially shaded conditions exhibits multiple peaks and renders conventional maximum power point tracking techniques ineffective. This study proposes a hybrid optimisation algorithm incorporating genetic algorithm (GA) in the initial stages of tracking followed by traditional perturb and observe (P&O) algorithm. Although GA and P&O methods do not guarantee convergence to global maximum power point when employed separately, the fusion of the two methods leads to confirmed global convergences with least time. The excellent performance of the combined method is illustrated through extensive simulation and experimental results.