A novel and efficient global maximum power tracking method for photovoltaic systems under complicated partial shading with repeatable irradiance conditions

Partial shading conditions (PSC) significantly hinder the conversion efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) generation systems (PVGS), posing challenges for global maximum power point (GMPP) tracking (GMPPT). This paper proposes a novel and efficient two-stage GMPPT method to address the challenges, introducing multiple techniques to improve tracking performance under complicated and repeatable irradiance environments. In the first stage, a Lambert W-function (LWF)-based modeling and estimation mechanism are developed to identify the candidate shaded region (SR) containing the GMPP and its corresponding voltage operating point (VOP) using fewer samplings. In the second phase, the variable step size incremental conductance (VSSINC) method, starting from the VOP found in the first stage, takes over subsequent tracking to refine convergence on the GMPP. A PV system formed by a 5-series 1-parallel (5S1P) module string is utilized as a study case. The devised method demonstrates significant advancements compared to the four presented benchmark methods. Simulations across 2002 shading patterns (SP) achieve maximum improvement rates of 98.4 % in average tracking power error (ATPE), 8.1 % in total tracking success rate (TTSR), and 66.9 % in average tracking time (ATT). Experimental results under three random SPs show improvements of 93.1 % in average tracking power loss (ATPL), 5.31 % in average tracking accuracy (ATA), and 86.6 % in ATT, all of which outperform the counterparts. These results highlight the significant improvement in TTSR, robustness to changes in SP, and efficiency derived from the proposed accurate LWF-based system modeling and estimation for the critical VOPs. This study also provides a new solution for maximizing the power extraction from PVGS and paving the way for the broader application and advancement in solar technology. • High tracking success rate and high robustness against SP changes are achieved. • Three technical procedures are integrated to balance three performance indicators. • Sensorless shaded-region irradiance estimation with fewer samplings is raised. • Lambert W function-based accurate operating voltage point estimation is proposed. • Maximum improvement rates obtained under all test scenarios studied are proved.