MPPT for PV Systems Under Partial Shading Using Cuckoo Search with Perturb and Observe Optimizations

Authors

Abdullah A. Alwan, Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering (Sharqat), Tikrit University, Iraq
Sura H. Faraj, Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering (Sharqat), Tikrit University, Iraq
Salih Y. Darweesh, Physics Department, College of Science, Tikrit University, Tikrıt, IraqFollow
Ahmed J. Ali, Department of Electrical Engineering, Collage of Technical Engineering, Northern Technical University, Mosul, Iraq.
Muhammad Hamza Zafar, Department of Engineering Sciences, University of Agder, Norway

Abstract

This study offers a comparative assessment of Perturb and Observe (P&O) and Cuckoo Search (CS) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methodologies, specifically within a photovoltaic (PV) system, under both standard test conditions (STC) and varying irradiance scenarios. The PV system was simulated and modeled using MATLAB/Simulink, and performance metrics were derived from the time-domain simulation outcomes. In the context of STC, the CS MPPT technique demonstrates an output power of 11.62 kW, coupled with an efficiency of 93.46%. This result represents a substantial improvement over the P&O MPPT method, which yields 8.088 kW at an efficiency of 65.05%. In a similar vein, the CS-based methodology exhibits robust performance across a spectrum of irradiance levels, generating 11.51 kW at an efficiency of 92.58%. Conversely, the P&O method produces 8.05 kW with a 64.75% efficiency. These findings indicate that the CS MPPT technique facilitates enhanced power extraction and superior efficiency relative to the traditional P&O algorithm, irrespective of whether the operating conditions are stable or fluctuating. Consequently, it presents a more advantageous solution for photovoltaic energy conversion systems.

Recommended Citation

Alwan, Abdullah A.; Faraj, Sura H.; Darweesh, Salih Y.; Ali, Ahmed J.; and Zafar, Muhammad Hamza (2026) "MPPT for PV Systems Under Partial Shading Using Cuckoo Search with Perturb and Observe Optimizations," Al-Bahir: Vol. 8: Iss. 2, Article 10.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.55810/2313-0083.1127

References

 [1] Rakhshani E, Torres JLR, Palensky P, der van Meijden M. Determination of maximum wind power penetration AL-BAHIR (JOURNAL FOR ENGINEERING AND PURE SCIENCES) 2026;8:248—264 263 considering wind turbine fast frequency response. In: 2019 IEEE Milan PowerTech. IEEE; 2019, June. p. 1—6.

[2] Praiselin WJ, Edward JB. Voltage profile improvement of solar PV grid- connected inverter with micro grid operation using PI controller. Energy Proc 2017;117:104—11. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.05.112.

[3] Ezinwanne O, Zhongwen F, Zhijun L. Energy performance and cost comparison of MPPT techniques for PVs and other applications. Energy Proc 2017;107(September 2016):297—30 3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2016.12.156.

[4] Wang F, Zhu Y, Yan J. Performance of solar PV micro-grid systems: a comparison study. Energy Proc 2018;145:570—5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2018.04.083.

[5] Esram T, Chapman PL. Comparison of PV array maximum power point tracking techniques. IEEE Trans Energy Convers 2007;22(2):439—49. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEC.200 6.874230.

[6] Salam Z, Ahmed J, Merugu BS. The application of soft computing methods for MPPT of PV system: a technological and status review. Appl Energy 2013;107:135—48. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.02.008.

[7] Femia N, Petrone G, Spagnuolo G, Vitelli M. Optimization of perturb and observe maximum power point tracking method 2005;20(4):963—73.

[8] Paras A, Prasad U, Choudhary AK. Comparative assess ment of ANN-based MPPT algorithm for solar PV system. In: 2022 IEEE North Karnataka Subsection Flagship Inter national Conference (NKCon), November 2022. p. 1-6. IEEE.

[9] Ahmad J. A fractional open circuit voltage based maximum power point tracker for PV arrays. In: 2010 2nd International Conference on Software Technology and Engineering, 1. IEEE; 2010, October. V1—247.

[10] Caruana C, Al Durra A, Muyeen SM. Dynamic maximum power point tracking of PV arrays based on simplified rip ple correlation control. IET Conf Proc 2021;2021(2):19—24. https://doi.org/10.1049/icp.2021.1400.

[11] Fallahzadeh SAA, Abjadi NR, Kargar A, Mahdavi M. Sliding mode control of single phase grid connected PV system using sign function. In: 2017 IEEE 4th International Con ference on Knowledge-Based Engineering and Innovation (KBEI). IEEE; 2017, December. p. 391—7.

[12] Papaioannou IT, Purvins A. Mathematical and graphical approach for maximum power point modelling. Appl En ergy 2012;91(1):59—66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy. 2011.09.005.

[13] Al-Amoudi A, Zhang L. Optimal control of a grid-connected PV system for maximum power point tracking and unity power factor. IEE Conf Publ 1998;456:80—4. https://doi. org/10.1049/cp:19980504.

[14] Di Piazza MC, Vitale G. PV field emulation including dy namic and partial shadow conditions. Appl Energy 2010; 87(3):814—23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2009.09.036.

[15] Nouh A, Almalih AH, Faraj MA, Almalih A, Mohamed F. A hybrid of meta-heuristic techniques based on cuckoo search and particle swarm optimizations for solar PV sys tems subjected to partially shaded conditions. Solar Energy Sustain Develop 2024;13(1):114—32. https://doi.org/10.51646/ jsesd.v13i1.178.

[16] Naidu RC, Odofin S. Development of cuckoo search MPPT algorithm for partially shaded solar PV development of cuckoo search MPPT algorithm for partially shaded solar PV SEPIC converter. January 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/978 981-15-0035-0.

[17] Mosaad MI, Osama abed el-Raouf M, Al-Ahmar MA, Banakher FA. Maximum power point tracking of PV system based cuckoo search algorithm; review and comparison. Energy Proc 2019;162:117—26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egy pro.2019.04.013.

[18] Belgacem AM, Hadef M, Djerdir A. Comparative study MPPT between FLC and incremental conductance applied on PV water pumping system. In: 2022 19th International Multi-Conference on Systems, Signals & Devices (SSD), May 2022. p. 1394-1400. IEEE.

[19] Paras A, Prasad U, Choudhary AK. Comparative assess ment of ANN-based MPPT algorithm for solar PV system. In: 2022 IEEE North Karnataka Subsection Flagship Inter national Conference (NKCon), November 2022. p. 1-6. IEEE.

[20] Aparnathi R. Comparative analysis of MPPT techniques for grid tie solar PV applications. J Elect Sys 2024;20(7s): 2453—63. . [21] Motsoeneng P, Bamukunde J, Chowdhury S. Comparison of perturb & observe and hill climbing MPPT schemes for PV plant under cloud cover and varying load. In: 2019 10th International Renewable Energy Congress (IREC). IEEE; 201 9, March. p. 1—6.

[22] Assis A, Mathew S. Cuckoo search algorithm based maximum power point tracking for solar PV systems. J Renew Sustain Energy 2016;2(1):20—38. .

[23] Kermadi M, Berkouk EM. A maximum power point tracker based on particle swarm optimization for PV-battery energy system under partial shading conditions. In: Conference: 3rd International Conference on Control, Engineering & Infor mation Technology CEIT’2015At: Tlemcen, Algeria; 2015.

[24] Yap KY, Sarimuthu CR, Lim JMY. Artificial intelligence based MPPT techniques for solar power system: a review. J Mod Power Syst Clean Energy 2020;8(6):1043—59.

[25] Mukesh K. Modelling and simulation of compound PV-bess systems. 2017. p. 79.

[26] Pandiarajan N, Muthu R. Mathematical modeling of PV module with Simulink. In: 2011 1st Int. Conf. Electr. Energy Syst. ICEES 2011; 2011. p. 258—63. https://doi.org/10.1109/ ICEES.2011.5725339. February 2011.

[27] Ahmad T, Sobhan S, Nayan MF. Comparative analysis be tween single diode and double diode model of PV cell: concentrate different parameters effect on its efficiency. J Power Energy Eng 2016;4(3):31—46. https://doi.org/10.4236/ jpee.2016.43004.

[28] Hamoodi AN, Abdulla FS, Alwan AA. Maximizing output power for solar panel using grey wolf optimization. NTU J Eng Technol 2022;1(4). .

[29] Sharma DK, & Purohit G. Advanced perturbation and observation (P&O) based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of a solar photo-voltaic system. In: 2012 IEEE 5th India International Conference on Power Electronics (IICPE); December 2012. p. 1-5. IEEE.

[30] Bhoyar R, Amalraj S, Khot S, Kulkarni R, Goyar D. Perfor mance comparison of MPPT algorithm using P & O , INC and ANN based tracking, 10; 2025. p. 474—84.

[31] Hamoodi AN,Abdulla FS, Alwan AA. A comparison study a mong optimization methods for solar PV hybrid system. NTU J Eng Technol 2022;1(4). .

[32] Alwan AA, Hamoodi AN, Abdullah FS. Efficiency enhancement for solar PV system with resistive load: a case study among three optimization methods. In: AIP Confer ence Proceedings, 2862. AIP Publishing LLC; 2023, December. p. 020009. 1.

[33] Mohamad AB, Zain AM, Bazin NEN. Cuckoo search algo rithm for optimization problems- a literature review and its applications. Appl Artif Intell 2014;28(5):419—48. https://doi. org/10.1080/08839514.2014.904599.

[34] Antar RS, Darweesh SY, & Ridha FW. Production of a double cermet coating to treatment of the turbine blades. Eng Res Express 2024;6(1):015407.

[35] Shi L, Zhang Z, Yu Y, Xie C, Yang T. Research on a new maximum power tracking algorithm for PV power genera tion systems. EAI Endorsed Trans Energy Web 2025;12:1 —13. https://doi.org/10.4108/EW.7325.

[36] Abdulhasan Salim J, Albaker BM, Shyaa Alwan M, Hasanuzzaman M. Hybrid MPPT approach using Cuckoo Search and Grey Wolf Optimizer for PV systems under variant operating conditions. Glob Energy Interconnect 20 22;5(6):627—44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloei.2022.12.005. 264 AL-BAHIR (JOURNAL FOR ENGINEERING AND PURE SCIENCES) 2026;8:248—264

[37] Ahmed J, Salam Z. A Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) for PV system using Cuckoo Search with partial shading capability. Appl Energy 2014;119:118—30. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.12.062.

[38] Hadj Salah ZB, et al. A new efficient cuckoo search MPPT algorithm based on a super-twisting sliding mode controller for partially shaded standalone PV system. Sustain 2023;15(1 2). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129753.

[39] Ahmed J, Salam Z. A modified perturb and observe maximum power point tracking method with reduced steady-state oscillation and improved tracking efficiency. IEEE Trans Sustain Energy 2014;5(4):1244—52.

[40] Salih WA, Allah SMA, Darweesh SY. Effect of spray angle on some physical properties of a ceramic system produced by thermal spraying coating. Al-Bahir J Eng Pure Sci 2023; 2(2):4.