Optimal Energy Harvesting from a Multistring Photovoltaic (PV) Generator using the Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm

This article proposes an efficient centralized global maximum power tracking (GMPPT) algorithm for multistring photovoltaic (PV) systems operating under partial shading conditions. Multistring configuration is considered the most effective solution due to its advantages in terms of system availability, reliability, and energy efficiency. However, the presence of dedicated DC-DC converters and maximum power search algorithms for each substring increases system cost and complexity. The proposed algorithm utilizes the artificial bee colony (ABC) optimization approach to determine optimal duty cycles, enabling the extraction of the global maximum power from each substring. Notably, the proposed approach significantly reduces the required number of sensors to only one pair of current and voltage sensors, located at the common point of connection for all PV strings. Simulation studies carried out in MATLAB/Simulink platforms demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm under various shading patterns. The proposed ABC-based MPPT algorithm is Overall, the results highlight the efficiency and robust tracking capability of the proposed approach for multistring PV systems.