MPPT for PV Systems Under Partial Shading Using Cuckoo Search with Perturb and Observe Optimizations

This study offers a comparative assessment of Perturb and Observe (P&O) and Cuckoo Search (CS) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methodologies, specifically within a photovoltaic (PV) system, under both standard test conditions (STC) and varying irradiance scenarios. The PV system was simulated and modeled using MATLAB/Simulink, and performance metrics were derived from the time-domain simulation outcomes. In the context of STC, the CS MPPT technique demonstrates an output power of 11.62 kW, coupled with an efficiency of 93.46%. This result represents a substantial improvement over the P&O MPPT method, which yields 8.088 kW at an efficiency of 65.05%. In a similar vein, the CS-based methodology exhibits robust performance across a spectrum of irradiance levels, generating 11.51 kW at an efficiency of 92.58%. Conversely, the P&O method produces 8.05 kW with a 64.75% efficiency. These findings indicate that the CS MPPT technique facilitates enhanced power extraction and superior efficiency relative to the traditional P&O algorithm, irrespective of whether the operating conditions are stable or fluctuating. Consequently, it presents a more advantageous solution for photovoltaic energy conversion systems.