Application of Improved Crow Search Algorithm in MPPT of Photovoltaic Arrays under Partial Shading Conditions

Under the condition of partial shading, the Power-Voltage curve of photovoltaic array presents a characteristic of multi-peak, when conventional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms, like Perturb and Observe method (PO), fail to track efficiently. Crow search algorithm (CSA) has outstanding global search capability, because of which it is used to track maximum power point under the condition of partial shading. But it also has the problems in local optimum and oscillating amplitude. To solve those problems, both of an auto judgment of power output and an optimization-orientation guided by elite individuals are introduced. The results presented in MATLAB/Simulink that the application of improved CSA in MPPT can track efficiently with lower level of oscillating amplitude.