Modified Seagull Optimization Algorithm based MPPT for augmented performance of Photovoltaic solar energy systems

Abstract

The changing weather conditions and Partial Shading Situation (PSS) create numerous challenges in harvesting available maximum power from the solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems. The limitations of classical and bio-inspired optimization-based Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) methods are incapable of extracting maximum power under PSS. Therefore, this paper presents a Modified Seagull Optimization Algorithm (MSOA) based MPPT approach by incorporating Levy Flight Mechanism (LFM) and the formula for heat exchange in Thermal Exchange Optimization (TEO) in the original Seagull Optimization Algorithm (SOA) for accurate tracking of Global Maximum Power Point (GMPP) under transient and steady state operating conditions. The MSOA increases the capability of optimization in finding the optimal value of boost DC-DC converter’s duty cycle, D, for operating at GMPP. The superiority of the presented MPPT approach is contrasted with SOA MPPT under uniform irradiation situation and partial shading situations using Matlab Simulink platform. With the presented MSOA MPPT, the settling time and percentage maximum overshoot are reduced by 0.92 times and 0.55 times in comparison to SOA MPPT with increased efficiency. The hardware results validated the simulation results proving the proposed MSOA MPPT as an efficient MPPT for solar PV systems.