A novel evaluation index for the photovoltaic maximum power point tracker techniques

Abstract

The partially shaded photovoltaic (PSPV) condition reduces the generated power and contributes in hot spot problem. PSPV generates one global peak (GP) and many local peaks (LP) in power versus voltage curve. In recent years, numerous research papers have been focused on highly efficient maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques to track the GP and alleviate the partial shading effects. This paper provides a comparative and comprehensive review of the 17 most famous and efficient MPPT techniques. These famous and efficient MPPT techniques are divided into three groups; conventional, soft computing (Artificial Intelligence and Bio-Inspired) and hybrid MPPT techniques. Technical and economical comparisons of these 17 MPPT techniques based on 17 evaluation parameters are then achieved. The findings obtained have not yet been discovered yet before where this is the first time the 17 most famous and efficient MPPT techniques are ranked using a novel evaluation index with a total evaluation from 40 points based on the 8 most important key issues. These issues are tracking speed, convergence speed, complexity, hardware implementation, initial parameters required, performance without PS, performance with PS, and efficiency. Finally, merits, demerits, technical and economical comparisons of all MPPT techniques are also introduced, discussed, and assessed.