2017 International Electronics Symposium on Engineering Technology and Applications (IES-ETA)
Modeling and Simulation of MPPT Sepic
Converter Using Modified PSO to Overcome
Partial Shading Impact on DC Microgrid System
Moh. Zaenal Efendi Farid Dwi Murdianto
Electrical Engineering Department Electrical Engineering Department
Electronics Engineering Polytechnic Electronics Engineering Polytechnic
Institute of Surabaya Institute of Surabaya
zen@pens.ac.id farid@pens.ac.id
Abstract --- Solar energy source can be utilized into
electric energy using Photovoltaic (PV) panel. Maximum
power in PV can be obtained in sunny weather conditions,
optimum temperature, and unshaded surface. When PV is
blocked by an object, the resulting power will decrease
depending on the size of the barrier. Barriers of the sun
intensity are shadows of trees, buildings, peoples, and others.
These conditions cause PV can’t absorb the maximum
intensity of sunlight. Unfortunately, an obstructed PV
surface condition may affect the resulting characteristic
curves. These conditions can produce different characteristic
curves. The difference is the position of the maximum power
point that should be only one that is GMPP (Global
Maximum Power Point) but this is divided into two there are
GMPP and LMPP (Local Maximum Power Point). These
conditions make a simple MPPT trapped in LMPP or an
unreal maximum power point. To solve this problem, in this
paper proposed MPPT Partial Shading using Modified
Particle Swarm Optimization (MPSO) method. The MPSO
method is chosen to solve partial shading conditions so the
MPPT can reach GMPP without being trapped in LMPP.
The MPSO method is applied to the Sepic converter to
generate maximum power. According to simulation result,
the MPSO method has a good accuracy greater than 95%
and a fast time convergence is about 0.5 until 1 second to
obtain a MPP depend on the shading pattern.
Keywords --- Photovoltaic (PV); Partial Shading;
Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT); Modified Particle
Swarm Optimization (MPSO); Global Maximum Power Point
(GMPP); Local Maximum Power Point (LMPP); Sepic
converter
I. INTRODUCTION
Energy source of solar are widely used to decrease
utilizing of solid fuel. The advantages of this energy are
free and less pollution [1]. Solar energy source can be
converted to electricity using PV modules but cost of it
relatively expensive.
The PV surface condition must be clear from
anything, so the sun intensity can be absorbed perfectly
by solar module. Sometimes the weather becomes cloudy,
so the sun intensity decreases. This condition causes the
conversion of PV can’t reach maximum power. It also
makes the PV characteristic curve change. The normal
condition has only one Maximum Power Point (MPP) that
is called GMPP. The GMPP is the maximum global peak
978-1-5386-0712-1/17/$31.00 ©2017 IEEE
Rangga Eka Setiawan
Electrical Engineering Department
Electronics Engineering Polytechnic
Institute of Surabaya
ranggaekaone1@gmail.com
that produces the most optimal output power from PV
array. Unfortunately, if the PV surface is under partial
shading, the curve of P-V characteristic has more than one
MPP, there are called GMPP and LMPP [2]. LMPP is one
of the maximum point, but it is not global optimum. The
simple MPPT possibility trapped in LMPP so the impact
of this condition makes the output power from PV can’t
produce maximum power. Power from PV can reach
maximum if the maximum point in GMPP and MPPT
Partial Shading can also be achieved.
PV under partial shading conditions could affect
power losses. The efficiency of MPPT decreases if the PV
surface is under partial shading because generally MPPT
works perfectly in normal condition (sunny weather), so
there is only one maximum point in the curve of P-V
characteristic [3]. Several algorithms have been proposed
to reach global peak under partially shaded condition.
There are many algorithms can be used to solve this
problem such as Perturb and Observe [9, 11], Incremental
conductance [10], Firefly, Bee Colony, and etc. This
paper proposes one of a Nature Inspired Algorithm, such
as Modified Particle Swarm Optimization. The different
with original PSO [17] is scheme of tracking global peak.
This algorithm able to detect global peak under partial
shading so the real maximum point can be detected [4].
In MPSO method, many variables with a random
number are used. Consequently, more iteration are needed
in this method to ensure that method can reach GMPP
perfectly. MPSO method needs longer time than
simplified algorithm because usage of many random
numbers in computation [5].
In this paper, MPSO method is used to reach the
global peak, so the output power from PV is the real
maximum power. This method is applied to DC-DC
converter which controlled using variable duty cycle of
pulse that is produced by a microcontroller and then this
pulse drives the Mosfet’s gate of DC-DC Converter.
Sepic converter is used as DC-DC Converter [19-20] to
distribute the power of PV to DC Microgrid System that
supplies dc load. Sepic converter is chosen in this system
because the source voltage always change depend on the
weather condition. Therefore, it is required a converter
that is able to keep the constant output voltage. In
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addition, Sepic converter also produces a smaller current
ripple on the input side than Buck-Boost converter so the
TABLE I. DATASHEET OF SOLAR PV MODULES [14]
Sepic converter is suitable to get a good quality output
[18]. POLYCRYSTALLINE
SP 50 W (P) 12 V
Silicon Solar PV Module
II. PV MODULES CHARACTERISTIC UNDER PARTIAL
SHADING Pmax (Maximum power) 50 W
PV module is used to convert energy from solar Voc (Open circuit voltage) 21,1 V
energy to electric energy. Output power of PV can be
influenced by irradiance, temperature, and shading. Isc (Short circuit current) 4,23 A
Generally, one of PV module has 36 or 72 cells. One of Vmp (Voltage @ Pmax) 16,5 V
solar PV cell has an equivalent circuit model which
Imp (Current @ Pmax) 3,34 A
consists of diode in parallel with an ideal current source
as shown in Fig. 1 [6]. The mathematical expression of Max System V 1000 V
each cell are shown in equation (1) and (2). 775 x 680 x
Dimension mm
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V + IRs
I = Isc – Io ( e(q(V+IRs))/kT-1) - ( ) (1) Test Condition
AM 1,5 1000 W/m2
25 oC
Rp
kT Isc
Voc = ln ( +1) (2) III. MODELING OF SEPIC CONVERTER
q Io
Sepic converter was derived from the Buck- Boost
converter. The purpose of it is to increase and decrease
Where: the output voltage. The difference of Sepic converter and
I : Cell’s current (A), Buck-Boost is polarity of the output voltage. The polarity
V : Cell’s voltage (V), output voltage of Sepic converter is positive [12, 15, 16]
Isc : Cell short-circuit current (A), unfortunately Buck-Boost is negative. The other features
Voc : Cell open-circuit voltage (V), can be used for coupled inductor [18]. The Sepic
Io : Reverse saturation current (A), converter used in the MPPT Partial Shading is to optimize
q : Electron charge (C), the output power of PV module in partial shading
k : Boltzman constant, condition. Detail circuit of Sepic converter is shown in
T : Module temperature (K), Fig. 2 and its parameters can be calculated using equation
Rs and Rp : Series Resistances and Parallel Resistance (3) until equation (7).

Fig. 2. Sepic converter circuit

Fig. 1. Equivalent circuit of solar PV modules D

Vout = Vin (3)
1− D
Partial shading condition makes the output power Vin × D
of PV goes down. The output power generated by the L1 = (4)
ΔiL1 × fs
shaded cells is lower than unshaded cells. Furthermore, if
Vin × D
this condition happens for a long time, it can cause hot L2 = (5)
spot in PV surface that will make PV can’t work properly ΔiL 2 × fs
[7]. Vout × D
C1 = (6)
Solar PV modules of 50 Watt Peak (WP) used in R × ΔVo × fs
this system is a Polycrystalline type. The specification of Vout × D
this PV module proposed in Table I. C2 = (7)
R × ΔVo × fs
In partial shading condition, the curve of P-V
characteristic has more peak point. Four patterns of
shading have been set to get more different P-V The operation switching frequency of Sepic
characteristic curve. The MPSO algorithm is proposed for converter is 40 KHz and by using high frequency can
searching global peak. cause the value of inductance (L1&L2) is lower than low
frequency (under 1 KHz). By using this value, output
from Sepic converter will be smoother than low frequency
[13]. Generally, components calculation of the Sepic
converter is similar with the Buck-Boost converter [12].
The parameters of Sepic converter are shown in Table II.

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 Where:
xi : position of particle i;
TABLE II. SEPIC CONVERTER PARAMETERS
vi : velocity of each particle i;
Parameter Value Unit k : iteration number;
w : inertia weight, the value is [0 - 0.5];
Input Voltage (Vin) 49.5 V
r1, r2 : random variables, the value is [0 - 1];
Frequency of Switching (fs) 40 KHz c1, c2 : cognitive and social coefficient and respectively,
the value is [0.8];
Output Voltage (Vo) 14.4 V Pbest i : variable that is used to keep the best position in
each particle;
Current Ripple (∆IL) 20% A Gbest : variable that is used to keep the best position of
all particles.
Voltage Ripple (∆Vo) 0.1% V After knowing the formula of MPSO algorithm
[8], next step is the optimization process of MPSO until it
Inductor 1 (L1) 0.4168 mH
reaches the global maximum peak on P-V characteristic
Inductor 2 (L2) 0.4168 mH curve. The flowchart of MPSO method is shown in Fig. 4.

Capacitor 1 (C1) 3.587 mF Start

Capacitor 2 (C2) 3.587 mF

MPSO Inisialization
Parameter

IV. MPSO ALGORITHM USED FOR MPPT PARTIAL

SHADING k=1;i=1
MPSO is an algorithm that can be used for
optimization process and it meets to the category of
Nature Inspired Algorithm. This method is adapted from Output the duty cycle of
particle (i)
bird folk’s behavior. And then, the bird called the swarm
of a particle. In MPSO, one of particle is used as
Sense Voltage and
suggestion to to solve a problem that can use for process Current of PV Module
optimization. The position of each particle is influenced
by the agent’s situation [7]. Calculate The Power of
The pattern of shading in this paper already fixed PV Module
and they can be shown in Fig. 3.
Better
individual
YES Update Pbest (i)
value?

NO

Better global YES Update Gbest

value?

NO

All particle NO Next particle

processed? i=i+1

YES
Update velocity
and particle
Next iteration
k=k+1

Met the NO
convergence?
Fig. 3. Shading pattern of solar PV modules
YES
The formula of MPSO method is expressed using Output duty cycle of
the equations (8) and (9). Gbest To Converter

YES NO
vi (k+1)=wvi(k) + c1r1(Pbest i–xi(k)) + c2r2(Gbest–xi(k))(8) Irradian
xi (k+1) = xi (k) + vi (k+1) (9) changed?

i = 1, 2, 3, …, n
Fig. 4. MPSO method [2]

29
 The MPSO method will be applied to the real
condition (simulation similar with real hardware
specification). There are three solar PV modules
connected in series. The output of PV module is
connected to Sepic converter. Furthermore, the output
power of Sepic converter is distributed to DC Microgrid
system that supplies DC load. Output power of PV can be
pushed to maximum point using a PWM controller by
driving Mosfet’s gate in Sepic converter. Block diagram
of system can be seen in Fig. 5.

PV 1
(50 WP)
(b)
DC
SENSOR SEPIC SENSOR MICROGRID
CONVERTER
PV 2
(50 WP)
I
. .
V
DC – DC
CONVERTER
.
V I
.
SYSTEM

LOAD

PWM

PV 3 MICROCONTROLER
(50 WP) (MPSO Method)

Fig. 5. Block diagram system

The MPSO method is applied to realize the MPPT (c)

under Partial Shading to solve the problem of the P–V
characteristic curve whose maximum point more than
one.

V. SIMULATION RESULT
The simulation system uses three PV modules in
series connection. The parameters of the Solar PV module
are shown in Table I.
PSIM software is used to observe the MPSO
method and find the GMPP condition. From the
simulation result, P-V characteristic curve are shown in
Fig. 6.
(d)
Fig. 6. P-V characteristic curve under partial shading
(a) Shading Pattern 1 (b) Shading Pattern 2 (c) Shading
Pattern 3 (d) Shading Pattern 4

Fig. 6. (a), (b), (c) and (c) show the curves of P-V
characteristic formed when the PV is under partial
shading. The maximum peak power amount is equal to a
number of the different irradiance levels in the PV array.
More irradiation differences occurred, more maximum
peak power created.
The maximum power point in P-V curve can be
reached with building three PV modules that series
(a) connection whose as same as specifications as shown in
Table I. PV modules are connected to Sepic converter
which has parameter in Table II. Furthermore, the output
of the Sepic converter is connected in DC Microgrid
system to supply the DC load. The simulation circuit of
MPPT Partial Shading is shown in Fig. 7.

30
Fig. 7. MPPT Partial Shading simulation circuit

This simulation result shows that the proposed

method can find global maximum power point.
Unfortunately, the conventional method such as Perturb
and Observe (P&O) can’t find it. The power output of PV
is higher in MPSO algorithm than in P&O algorithm. The
tracking process of global maximum power point in P-V
characteristic curve are shown in Fig. 8.

(c)

(a)

(d)
Fig. 8. Tracking proses of GMPP (a) Shading Pattern 1 (b)
Shading Pattern 2 (c) Shading Pattern 3 (d) Shading Pattern 4

After searching the GMPP value in each shading

pattern of PV array, tracking comparison of MPSO and P&O
method can be observed. The result of this comparison are
shown in Table III.
(b)

31
 TABLE III. COMPARISON OF MPSO AND P&O METHOD
Pmax (W) Accuracy (%)
Shading
Pattern Target MPSO P&O MPSO P&O
1 64.73 62.05 45.03 95.85 69.56
2 74.73 73.80 35.49 98.75 47.49
3 101.49 98.11 64.47 96.66 63.52
4 41.96 41.55 35.49 99.02 84.58
According to data in Table III, the accuracy of MPPT
partial shading using MPSO method is better than P&O
method. The accuracy of MPSO method greater than 95%
meanwhile P&O method is between 47% – 85%.
VI. CONCLUSION
The purpose of this paper is to track the global peak
from P-V characteristic curve when the solar PV modules
under partial shading. The MPSO algorithm is used to solve
that problem. It will be implemented in microcontroller to
control Sepic converter to distribute PV output to DC
Microgrid system. In this paper, the convergence condition can
be obtained in 0.5 until 1 second and the accuracy of the
MPPT Partial Shading with MPSO method overall is greater
than 95% depend on the pattern of shading. To verify the
simulation result, experiment process will be done.
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