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MPPT Design For Photovoltaic System Under
Partially Shaded Condition
*
H. Suryoatmojo, R. M. Hakim, D.C. Riawan, R. Mardiyanto, S. Anam, E. Setijadi and M. Ashari
Department of Electrical Engineering
Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember- ITS, Surabaya, Indonesia
Email: *suryomgt@gmail.com
Abstract—Photovoltaic (PV) is a device that used to convert
solar energy into electrical energy. PV performance affected by
internal factor such as internal resistance in PV, material type,
etc. Also there are external factor that affected PV’s performance
such as temperature, light intensity, and partially shaded
condition. Partially shaded usually occurs because the PV arrays
surfaces are covered by cloud, dirt, trees shade or buildings
shade. To reduce partially shaded effect is by adding bypass and
blocking diode. When PV arrays in partially shaded condition,
conventional MPPT will made an error while searches Maximum
Power Point (MPP). MPPT is designed for PV array system in
order to produce maximum power. MPPT method that used is
Incremental Conductance. This method is equipped with special
algorithm to anticipate error in tracking while in partially
shaded condition. Simulation shows that PV array system using
MPPT without special algorithm, matching efficiency obtained is
82,38%. Meanwhile, when using MPPT with a special algorithm,
obtained matching efficiency of 99.95%.
Keywords—Matching Efficiency, MPPT, Partially Shaded,
Photovoltaic Array, modified incremental conductance, Blocking
Diode.
I. INTRODUCTION
Due to the depletion of fossil resource in the world,
today’s advice to use renewable energy is more intense. One
of the existing renewable energy is sunlight that can be
converted using Photovoltaic (PV). PV is a technology that
has low environmental impact that doesn’t produce any noise
and air pollution [1]. In addition, another advantages is the
simplicity of how it works, reliable and doesn’t require much
maintenance when compared to other power plants. Currently
the use of PV increased for some needs, such as power plant
that will be connected directly to PLN network or standalone
use. There are several factor that affected PV’s performance
i.e. surface temperature, light intensity etc. Also in its use
there are challenges regarding the non-linearity of output
characteristic. Thus can be seen from the PV’s I-V and P-V
curves that are not linear and change towards light intensity
and surfaces temperature [1-4]. In I-V curves, there is a point
that called Maximum Power Point (MPP). In this point, PV
can produce maximum output power. To obtain MPP, required
a method that can reach MPP which is Maximum Power Point
Tracker (MPPT).
To obtain greater output power, PV module can be
arranged in series and parallel or can be called as Photovoltaic
Array. In the use of PV array, partially shaded condition that
caused by cloud’s shade, building, trees, etc. often occurred.
The effect of partially shaded condition will bring up two
978-1-7281-3832-9/19/$31.00 ©2019 IEEE
354
power peak, Local MPP and global MPP that can be seen in P-
V characteristic curve. Therefore, MPPT (Maximum Power
Point Tracker) which can find global MPP is required.
Currently, some researcher have developed the MPPT
algorithm to find the global optimum power of PV under
partially shaded conditions [5]. In reference [6-7] proposed
MPPT algorithms using PSO (Particle Swarm Optimization).
The advantages of that algorithm is the tracking capability that
not effected by partial shading or non-uniform irradiance on the
PV array [6-7]. However, such algorithm is very complex and
need more computational time. In reference [8] proposed new
MPPT algorithm under partially shaded condition by
introducing monkey king algorithm. However, the
performances of this algorithm is strongly depending on the
specified parameter used in the simulation. Reference [9]
proposed JayaDE algorithm. Reference [10] proposed human
psychology optimization algorithm that able to find maximum
power of PV based psychological condition of person in
ambitions conditions. In reference [11] proposed search-skip-
judge global MPPT equipped with rapid global MPPT. This
method able to find the real MPPT under any partially shading
conditions with high accuracy and fast tracking without any
circuit and sensor. However, these methods need complex
computational algorithm and not simple in implementation.
This paper proposed MPPT algorithm with modified
incremental conductance. This algorithm able to find the
global optimum point of PV under partially shaded conditions
by a simple and fast algorithm. The characteristic of PV array
by considering partially shaded condition will be analyzed in
this research. After knowing the PV array characteristic when
in that condition, MPPT will be designed in order to obtain
maximum power output. So it does not get stuck in the local
MPP that existed when in partially shaded condition.
II. PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY IN PARTIALLY SHADED
CONDITION
A. Photovoltaic Array Model
In order to obtain greater output power, PV module
arranged in series and parallel so that PV array can be created.
PV module consist of several PV Cell that represented by
equivalent circuit in figure 1. In that equivalent circuit, there
are several components such as current source, that its value
proportional with received solar power energy, diode for
determining I-V characteristic from PV, series connected
resistor which describes internal resistance due to the fact that
there is no ideal PV and the last is parallel connected resistor
[1][2].
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IM = N pI
(7)
N
R sM = s Rs
Np
(8)
N
Fig. 1. Equivalent Circuit of Photovoltaic Cell. R pM = s Rp
Np
(9)
From the circuit above, obtained characteristic equation for
PV cell models: [1]
N kT
Vt = s
q
ª § q(V + I ⋅ Rs ) · º V + Rs ⋅ I (10)
I = I pv − I 0 «exp¨ ¸ − 1» − I sc , n + K I Δ T
¬ © kTα ¹ ¼ Rp Io =
(1)
§ (Voc , n + K v Δ T ) ·
G exp¨¨ ¸¸ − 1
I pv = ( I pv ,n + K I ΔT ) © αV t ¹
Gn (11)
(2) ª § (V + I M ⋅ RsM · º VM + RsM ⋅ I M
I M = I pvM − N p I o «exp¨¨ M ¸¸ − 1» −
I sc , n + K I Δ T ¬ © Vt α ¹ ¼ R pM
Io = (12)
§ q (Voc , n + K v Δ T ) ·
exp¨¨ ¸¸ − 1 where :
© αkT ¹ (3) Ns = Number of series connected cell
where : Np = Number of parallel connected cell
Vt = Thermal Voltage (Volt)
I = photovoltaic output current (A).
Ipv = current generated from solar energy (A). Where, subscript M used to define module. To reduce effect
Io = photovoltaic reverse saturation current (A). from partially shaded, bypass diode can be added in PV array
Ipv,n = current produced by solar energy in nominal that parallel connected with each PV module. And also
condition (25oC and 1000W/m2) installed blocking diode that series connected in each string.
Isc,n = nominal short circuit current (A). The purpose of installing blocking diode is to protect string in
V = Photovoltaic voltage (V). PV array from reverse current that caused by the difference of
Voc,n = open circuit nominal voltage (Volt) the current contribution from each string. Figure 2 is an PV
= Ideality factor. array model added with bypass diode and blocking diode.
Rs = series resistance (ohm).
Rp = parallel resistance (ohm). 25+273.15

k = Boltzmann constant = 1.83x10-23. Temperatur

[K]
T + T +

T = photovoltaic temperature. 1000

G -

PV modul 1
G -

PV modul 11
q = electron charge = 1.6x10-19 eV. Irradiasi
[W/m2]
T + T +

KI = temperature coefficient in short circuit condition. G - G -

Kv = temperature coefficient in open circuit voltage. PV modul 2 PV modul 12

ΔT
T + T +

= temperature difference between real and nominal G - G -

(K).
PV modul 3 PV modul 13

T + T +

G = real photovoltaic irradiation (G [W/m2]) G - G -

Gn = nominal photovoltaic irradiation (G [W/m2]). PV modul 4 PV modul 14

T + T +

In this research, PV array modeling uses data parameters G - G -

1
from Kyocera KC2000GT photovoltaic module [3]. Maximum PV modul 5

T +
PV modul 15

T +
+

power that can be produced by one KC200GT module is G - G - 2

200.143W. PV array arranged of PV modules in series of 10 PV modul 6 PV modul 16 -

pieces. Then from that 10 pieces of series model later called by T + T +

one string. There are two string that connected in parallel in G - G -

this photovoltaic array modelling. So from the configuration PV modul 7

T +
PV modul 17

T +
obtained output power of 4002.86 W. Therefore, from the PV G - G -

cell equation characteristic above, will be changed as follows: PV modul 8 PV modul 18

[3,4] T + T +

G - G -

IM = N pI PV modul 9 PV modul 19

(4) T + T +

I pvM = N p I pv G - G -

(5) PV modul 10 PV modul 20

VM = N sV (6) Fig. 2. Photovoltaic Models with Bypass and Blocking Diode.

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B. PV Array Characteristic in Partially Shaded Condition dI

= Gd
Figure 3 represents the characteristics curve from PV array dV (15)
under various condition. When the light intensity that received I
by PV array is uniform, there is only one MPP in P-V − = Gs
characteristic curve. However, when partially shaded there V (16)
will be some MPP, local MPP and global MPP or real MPP. where:
Where local MPP is the peak value but not the highest peak
Gd = Dynamic conductance.
value. Meanwhile global MPP is the highest peak in P-V
Gs = Static conductance.
curve. However, this due to the effect from installation of
bypass and blocking diode.
Search process will continue until Gs equal with Gd or
equation (14) and (15) is fulfilled.

Fig. 4. Curve of Incremental Conductance Method [5].

Fig. 3. Characteristics Curve of Photovoltaic Array in Normal and Partially
Shaded Condition.

III. MPPT FOR PARTIALLY SHADED CONDITION

A. MPPT design
Incremental conductance method is used in this Research. Vr =
Ns × Voc
()
I n
Np × Isc
Mechanism of this method can be seen in figure 4. This
method basically works by the way of comparing incremental
conductance and instantaneous conductance from
photovoltaic. If incremental conductance value is the same
with instantaneous conductance, then at the moment the
maximum power point is reached. Advantages of this method
compared to other MPPT is the ability to find the exact
direction of MPP search. So it can prevent the occurrence of
oscillation around the MPP that commonly occurred on
MPPT. But this method has a weakness in long computation Vr = Vr + ǻV Vr = Vr − ǻV Vr = Vr − ǻV Vr = Vr + ǻV
time. Moreover, from the test performed, oscillation still
occurs around MPP when the weather is changing [5].
Curve in figure 4 shows three condition that happened
(dP/dV>0 ) slope from P-V curve is positive. Second,
(dP/dV<0 ) slope from P-V curve is negative. And the last,
(dP/dV<0 ) slope from P-V curve is zero. Fig. 5. Flowchart Incremental Conductance Method with Linier Function.

Effectivity from existing MPPT incremental conductance

will reduced when partially shaded condition happened due to
dP d (VI ) dV dI dI more than one MPP exist. Error in MPP search can be seen in
= =I +V = I +V
dV dV dV dV dV (13) figure 3. Before partially shaded happens, MPP is on point A,
but when suddenly partially shaded condition occurred, MPP
will be changed to point B which is not the global MPP. Here
Relationship from equations (dP/dV=0 ), equation (13) could goes the error of global MPP search. In this case, the global
be simplified as : MPP should be in point C. Therefore, to resolve the weakness,
in conventional MPPT will be added with linier function
dI I algorithm so that the MPPT could search global MPP value. In
=− figure 5 is MPPT incremental conductance flowchart that
dV V (14)
consider the partially shaded condition. To knows the
existence of partially shaded, equation (17) is used:

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ΔP < ΔPcritical blue line in the figure is the P-V characteristic curve of the PV
(17) array without the equipped bypass and blocking diode. While
Where ¨P is the power difference between current and the red dash line is the P-V characteristic curve when the PV
previous power. And ¨P critical is the smallest power array is equipped with a bypass and blocking diode. When PV
difference. ¨P critical obtained from observe the smallest ¨P array is not equipped with bypass and blocking diode,
from field experiment or from the direct simulation. maximum power or MPP that can be reached only 2430,03 W.
This is different with PV array after equipped with bypass and
When equation (17) is fulfilled, then the reference voltage
blocking diode, maximum power that can be generated is
will be changed by linier equation as in the equation (18) [6].
2949,47 W. From comparison of these two maximum power
Ns × Voc generated increased by 519,44 W.
Vpv _ ref = × Ipv(n)
Ns × Isc (18)
where :
Vpv_ref =Reference voltage
Voc =open circuit PV array voltage
Isc =short circuit PV array current
Ipv(n) =PV array current measured when partially
shaded
As seen in figure above, there is red line that shows block
where the reference voltage is changed by linier function.

B. MPPT Simulation Scenario

The number of peak in partially shaded condition depends
on the number of string that paralleled and the number of
shaded module in string. If there are more string in paralleled
then it is possible to have peak number.
In this research, PV array model consist of two paralleled
string. So there are only two possibilities of MPP point Fig. 6. First Condition Scenario
location. Therefore, to analyze MPP value condition, there are
two simulation scenarios. First is MPP point is on the right
side of characteristic curve, and the second is MPP point is on
the left side characteristic curve.
For the first scenario that showed in figure 6 where MPP
located on the right side of PV characteristic curve. Therefore,
in the first condition modelling, scenario has been created that
there is module in 1 string that shaded by 50% or only get
light intensity of 500 W/m2 and another 17 module get full
light intensity of 1000 W/m2.
For the second scenario, the characteristic curve is showed
in figure 7. To form that curve, then the scenario is there are 3
modules that shaded by 80% or only get light intensity of 200
W/m2, while another 17 module get full light intensity of 1000
W/m2, so the characteristic curve will become like figure 7.
Location of MPP is on the left side of characteristic curve.
Fig. 7. Second Condition Scenario
IV. SIMULATION RESULT AND ANALYSIS

A. Photovoltaic Array Simulation Model in Partially shaded

condition
This simulation was conducted to determine the state of
Power (W)

the PV array through its characteristic curve when partially

shaded. The most visible effect is the decrease in the power
produced by the PV array. In addition, simulations were
carried out to determine the effects of bypass installation and
blocking diodes. For the simulation results of the effect of Fig. 8. P-V Curve When Partially Shaded Occurred and Not Equipped With
bypass installation and blocking diode shown in Figure 8. The Bypass and Blocking Diode

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Therefore, installation of bypass and blocking diode is

very important to reduce partially shaded effect in PV array
from partially shaded condition so that the power generated
will be as much as possible. Although the output maximum
power is increased, there is side effects that appears from
installation of bypass and blocking diode which is the
appearance of some peak value, local MPP and global MPP as
discussed before on figure 7. This condition cause
conventional MPPT will difficulty in finding global MPP or
maximum output power value. So conventional MPPT
modification is needed to be able to resolve the partially
shaded condition.
B. Photovoltaic array model simulation with MPPT on
Partially shaded condition
To knows the ability of designed MPPT, simulation is
done for PV array equipped with MPPT in partially shaded
condition. Figure 9 is the result of the simulation for first
scenario condition. To simulate partially shaded condition,
there are 3 modules that only receive light intensity of 50% or
only get light intensity of 500W/m2.
As seen on figure 9, when on normal condition, MPPT
already found the MPP value in t=0,025 second. Power that
generated is 4002,85 W. As seen in datasheet calculation,
power generated from PV module that are used is 4002,86 W.
the difference between power that found by MPPT and
calculation, the matching efficiency is 99,99%.
TABLE I. MPPT PERFORMANCE ON P ARTIALLY SHADED
C ONDITION IN FIRST SCENARIO
TABLE II. MPPT PERFORMANCE ON P ARTIALLY SHADED
C ONDITION IN SECOND SCENARIO
Maximum MPP from Maximum MPP
characteristic curve from MPPT
Matching
efficiency (%)
(W) search
2949,47 2948,11 99,95
Simulation result can be seen in figure 10. MPPT obtain
the MPP value before partially shaded condition on t = 0,026
second. Power that obtained is 4002,85 W. MPPT
performance to reach the MPP value before partially shaded
condition in first and second condition is equal. Matching
efficiency obtained is 99,99%.
Partially shaded condition designed when t = 0,08 second.
In that time, MPPT find the new MPP value and obtain
2948,11 W in t = 0,085. Table 2 is to observe the performance
of MPPT when on partially shaded condition.
From that table obtained that second condition MPPT also
very good because the value is close to global MPP value. The
power difference in characteristic curve is only 1,36 W, so
matching efficiency obtained is 99,95%. If compared to MPPT
without special algorithm, the MPT will made an error in
finding the MPP value. So the output value will be 2430,033
W. So if matching efficiency matching value is calculated, the
value is only 82,38%.

Maximum MPP
Maximum MPP from Matching
from MPPT
characteristic curve (W) efficiency (%)
search
3090,25 3089 99,95

Then in this simulation, partially shaded condition

designed on t = 0,08 second. In that time, MPPT also finds the
new MPP value. When the equation (17) detect partially
shaded condition, the linier function change the reference
voltage into smaller value accordance to flowchart in figure 5.
So MPP value obtained is 3089 W. This value is already the
global MPP value. Table 1 shows the performance of MPPT,
that shows the comparison of MPP value in characteristic
curve that already found by the MPPT. Based on that table,
can be concluded that the MPPT performance in first scenario
is very good because the MPPT value is close to the real MPP
value. From the simulation obtained the difference is only 1,25
W, so matching efficiency value obtained is 99,95%.
For second simulation scenario there are 3 module that
only received 80% of light intensity or equal to 200 W/m2
light intensity. Just like first scenario, there are 2 peak value in
second scenario characteristic curve. Value for local MPP is
2430 and the global MPP is 2949,47. MPPT that already build
expected to reach the global MPP value.
Fig. 9. Simulation Results of Photovoltaic Array Output in Partially Shaded
Condition in First Scenario

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Fig. 10. Simulation Result Photovoltaic Array Output on Partially Shaded
in Second Scenario
V. CONCLUSION
Based on simulation and analysis data that already done,
can be concluded that photovoltaic array that already build can
be used in normal and partially shaded condition. Result from
simulation showed that in characteristic curve, there are
several peak value, local MPP and global MPP. Then in
partially shaded condition, MPPT that not equipped with
special algorithm will made an error in finding the maximum
power so the matching efficiency value is only 82,38%.
Otherwise, MPPT can found the maximum power on
photovoltaic array when its added with special algorithm, and
the matching efficiency increased to 99,95%. And the last
simulation, when in the startup condition the system is already
on partially shaded condition, MPPT couldn’t find the
maximum power value. From all of that conclusion, it is
necessary to add MPPT algorithm to resolve the partially
shaded condition that happened in start-up. furthermore,
photovoltaic array combination is need to be considered due to
it will affect the amount of peak power generated. The last is
359

power efficiency also need to be considered due to loss in the
converter.
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