Partial shading is a common problem in photovoltaic (PV) systems, and is notoriously difficult to solve. To address this issue, multiple approaches have been made. This paper proposes the use of the metaheuristic optimization method, PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION (PSO), to track the multiple-peak P–V curve in PV systems under partial shading conditions (PSCs). The results of the PSO algorithm were found to be very fast, reliable, and precise in normal conditions, PSCs, and changes in irradiance. Furthermore, the PSO algorithm was shown to have a significant improvement in performance when compared to the perturb and observe (P&O) algorithm.

Photovoltaic system, maximum power point tracking, partial shading condition, PSO optimization.