Hybrid Global Maximum Power Point Tracking for Partially Shaded Photovoltaic Arrays Using Improved Cuckoo Search and Synergetic Control

Partial shading creates multiple peaks in the power–voltage characteristic of a photovoltaic (PV) array, making global maximum power point tracking (MPPT) difficult. This study investigates ICS-Synergetic Control, an event-triggered global–local MPPT framework for a series-connected PV array and Boost converter, in which an improved cuckoo search evaluates candidate peak regions, synergetic control regulates the accepted operating point, and a locking mechanism limits unnecessary perturbations. Two sensing configurations are considered: ICS-SC-I uses module-level irradiance, whereas ICS-SC-E uses electrical measurements only. The controllers are compared with P&O, INC, CSA, GWO, PSO, and NSPSO-INC in MATLAB/Simulink switched-model simulations using a four-stage irradiance profile. With module-level irradiance available to all controllers, ICS-SC-I achieved a mean trajectory energy utilization of 96.992% over 30 repeated runs and satisfied a sustained ±2% GMPP criterion in all 120 stage events. Under the information-matched electrical-only condition, ICS-SC-E captured slightly less energy than PSO and NSPSO-INC, indicating that the irradiance information contributes substantially to this result. Module-removal tests identified peak-family prediction and search scheduling as the main determinants of transient loss. StarSim hardware-in-the-loop tests of the proposed controller and NSPSO-INC confirmed real-time execution and post-transition recovery under the evaluated conditions.