Improved MPPT Based on Flying Squirrel Search Optimization Using SEPIC for PV Systems

The electricity production from PV systems depends on local solar radiation levels, as well as other prevailing meteorological characteristics such as temperature, dust, and humidity. Consequently, the electricity parameters such as voltage, current, and power levels will vary. To address this issue, PV systems use maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to regulate the voltage and current for producing the maximum power. The main goal is to regulate the PV system to achieve the maximum power or the power value as close to maximum as possible, even under varying environmental conditions. A metaheuristic approach such as the flying squirrel search optimization (FSSO) provides an advanced method for MPPT strategies. Apart from the algorithm method, this can be improved by using the suitable DC–DC converter. A SEPIC converter can be chosen as the medium for FSSO. Hence, this study presents the evaluation of the FSSO's application in the SEPIC converter for PV systems. The simulation results show that FSSO on a SEPIC converter produces minimal ripple on both voltage and current, particularly when compared to FSSO on a common Boost converter. The FSSO-on-SEPIC converter configuration could reach a steady state at 0.4 s. Moreover, the configuration was also able to produce the MPPT's efficiency of around 99.93%, which is slightly higher than that of the FSSO-on-Boost converter.