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IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY 1

An Improved MPPT Controller for Photovoltaic


System Under Partial Shading Condition
Kai Chen, Shulin Tian, Yuhua Cheng, Senior Member, IEEE, and Libing Bai

Abstract—Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is an integral Thus, it is imperative to utilize MPPT techniques that reliably
part of a system of energy conversion using photovoltaic (PV) track the unique global power maximum present in shaded
arrays. The power-voltage characteristic of PV arrays operating arrays.
under partial shading conditions exhibits multiple local maximum
power points (LMPPs). In this paper, a new method has been Some researchers have proposed global maximum power
presented to track the global maximum power point (GMPP) of point tracking (GMPPT) algorithms to address the partial shad-
PV. Compared with the past proposed global MPPT techniques, the ing condition. In [15], it is observed that the peaks follow a
method proposed in this paper has the advantages of determining specific trend in which the power at a peak point continues to
whether partial shading is present, calculating the number of peaks increase until it reaches the GMPP, and afterward, it continu-
on P–V curves, and predicting the locations of GMPP and LMPP.
The new method can quickly find GMPP, and avoid much energy ously decreases. In [16], the proposed algorithm incorporates an
loss due to blind scan. The experimental results verify that the online current measurement and periodic interruptions to address
proposed method guarantees convergence to the global MPP under certain challenges associated with rapidly changing insolation
partial shading conditions. and partial shading. A modified rule for updating the duty-cycle
Index Terms—Maximum power point tracking (MPPT), multiple is presented, which is based on the first and second derivatives of
maxima, partial shading, photovoltaic (PV). the power as a function of the duty-cycle. In [17], a smart P–I
curve scanning is devised to detect the presence of the global
maxima. In [18], a dc–dc converter controlled by a dc signal of
I. INTRODUCTION adjustable amplitude is used to track the global MPP. Then the
perturb and observe (P&O) MPPT algorithm is applied in order
A PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) cell is an electrical device that
converts the energy of light directly into electricity
through PV effect. PV cells have a complex relationship between
to continuously track the short-term variations of the previously
detected global MPP. In [19], it presents a novel model-based
solar irradiation, temperature, and total resistance, and exhibit a two-loop control scheme for a particular module-integrated PV
nonlinear output efficiency characteristic known as the P–V and converter system, where bidirectional Cuk dc–dc converters
curve. Therefore, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) tech- are used as the bypass converters and a terminal Cuk boost
niques should be developed in PV systems in order to maximize functioning as a whole system power conditioner. The system
the output power of PV systems. Nowadays, there have been can increase power generation compared to the conventional
many MPPT methods reported in the literature, such as hill bypass diode structure. In [20], it uses a periodic scan sequence of
climbing [1], perturb and observe [2], incremental conductance the P–V curve to detect local MPPs due to the long time required
(INC) [3], and ripple correction [4]. for the completion of this tracking process, and the PV energy
However, when there are multiple local power maxima [5], production is reduced. The global MPPT methods that are
[6], from partially shading or from installation on a curved presented in [21] and [22] are based on the measurements of
surface [7], [8], conventional MPPT techniques do not perform the PV array open-circuit voltage and solar irradiation or short-
well. Multiple maxima may occur due to bypass diodes [9], [10], circuit current, respectively.
which are used to avoid hot spots from forming when some cells The above papers can be categorized into two groups. 1) The
in a module or some modules in a string receive less irradiance global (or partial) scan of obtained PV output curves [15]–[20].
than others [11]–[14]. Without the remediation of power elec- Then, a complex algorithm is used to calculate the GMPP of the
tronics, the lost energy due to partial shading can be significant. curves. One disadvantage of this method is the inability to
determine whether the PV cell is operating under the shading
Manuscript received August 01, 2013; revised December 19, 2013 and February conditions. Because the GMPP is blindly tracked, and the
17, 2014; accepted March 30, 2014. This work was supported in part by “the conversion system works at low-power points most of the time
Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities” (ZYGX2012YB029), in in the tracking process, energy waste is significant. 2) The other
part by the “Project on the Integration of Industry, Education and Research of
Guangdong Province” (Grant 2011B090400383), and in part by “the National group uses specialized sensors (e.g., for the measurement of solar
Natural Science Foundation of China’ (Grant 61102141). (Corresponding author: irradiation) to calculate the working status of the PV cells and
Y. Cheng.) simulate the output characteristic curves [21], [22]. This method
The authors are with the School of Automation Engineering, University of
Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China (e-mail:
can be an effective solution to mitigate the effect of partial
kaichen.uestc@gmail.com; shulin@uestc.edu.cn; yhcheng@uestc.edu.cn; shading. The simulation results, however, obtained by measuring
bailb991@163.com). environmental parameters and the actual case will be drastically
Color versions of one or more of the figures in this paper are available online at
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org. different, because the actual characteristic of the solar panels
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/TSTE.2014.2315653 depends on many factors (e.g., light intensity, temperature,

1949-3029 © 2014 IEEE. Personal use is permitted, but republication/redistribution requires IEEE permission.
See http://www.ieee.org/publications_standards/publications/rights/index.html for more information.
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2 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

shows several different partial shading situations. Under the


partial shading condition, if there is one module in a PV string
that is less illuminated, the shaded module will dissipate some of
the power generated by the rest of the modules. It means that the
current available in a series-connected PV array is limited by the
current of the shaded module. This can be avoided by using
bypass diodes which can be placed in parallel with the PV
module. The method of using bypass diodes allows the array
current to flow in the correct direction even if one of the strings is
completely shadowed. Bypass diodes are widely implemented in
commercial solar panels. Because of bypass diodes, multiple
maxima appear under the partial shading condition.
The P–V curve of PV array in Fig. 1(b) possesses multiple
maxima under the partial shading condition, as shown in Fig. 2
(b). The unshaded modules in the sample PV array are exposed to
Fig. 1. PV array under different partial shading conditions. (a) Sample PV array of solar insolation and the shaded module is
with insolation of on the unshaded modules. (b) One shaded module exposed to of solar insolation. There are two ob-
with . (c) Two shaded modules with . (d) Three shaded served peaks in the P–V curve, because of the natural behavior of
modules with . The sample PV module’s parameters is ,
the bypass diode and PV array connection inside the module.
, , at and
. Point A is the GMPP, while point B the local maximum power
point (LMPP). When the area covered by the shadow changes,
aging, dust, and partial shading). In addition, the method in- the P–V curve and the location of GMPP also changes, as shown
creases the PV system cost in practical commercial applications. in Fig. 2(c) and (d). Under these conditions, traditional algo-
In this paper, a new method to track the GMPP of PV arrays rithms can only track either of the two MPPs, and cannot
operating under partial shading conditions is presented. The rest distinguish between GMPP and LMPP. Continuing with the
of the paper is organized as follows. Section II describes certain P&O method as an example, both points satisfy the conditions to
critical observations on the current–voltage (I–V) and power– be the “MPP.” If the operating point obtained by the PV array
voltage (P–V) curves of partially shaded arrays. Section III algorithm is LMPP, the output power is significantly lower.
describes the proposed algorithm to track the GMPP. Section IV Some researchers proposed a global scan method to obtain the
presents the experimental results. The main conclusion is sum- PV output curves. Then a complex algorithm is required to
marized in Section V. calculate the GMPP of the curves. This method is able to obtain
the GMPP, but it cannot determine whether the PV cell is
II. PARTIAL SHADING CONDITIONS operating under shading conditions, and blindly and constantly
scans for the MPP, wasting the output energy. For these reasons,
Fig. 1(a) shows a PV array which has four PV modules
a new improved MPPT method for the PV system under the
connected in series under uniform insolation conditions.
partial shading condition is proposed in this paper. In Section III,
Fig. 2(a) illustrates typical I–V and P–V curves for the PV array
the new method will be described in detail.
under a uniform solar irradiance of on all the PV
modules. The traditional MPPT algorithm can reach this peak III. IMPROVED MPPT CONTROLLER METHOD
and continue oscillating around the MPP. The P&O method, e.g.,
perturbs the solar array voltage in one direction in each sampling A. Analysis of Characteristic Curves Under Partial Shading
period and tests the power change afterward. It is assumed that Conditions
initially PV array is operating at point A, as shown in Fig. 2(a). In order to avoid blind global scan, methods to determine the
An operating voltage of the PV array is perturbed in a given presence of partial shading are essential. It is noted that when a
direction (from A to B), and an increase in output power is series of PV array is under the identical solar irradiance condition
observed ( > ). This means that point B is closer to the MPP [Fig. 1(a)], every PV model works as a source, and all modules
than point A, and the operating voltage must be further perturbed are identical in their voltage, current, and output power at any
in the same direction (from B to C). On the other hand, if the time. But this state changes when there is shadow.
output power of the PV array decreases (from D to E), the Fig. 1(c) is an example in the following analysis. The models
operating point has moved away from the MPP, and therefore, in the series array are exposed to two different solar irradiances,
the direction of the operating voltage perturbation must be and the solar irradiation levels are 1000 and , respec-
reversed (from D to C). Through constant perturbation, eventu- tively. The voltages of the modules that are exposed to different
ally the operating voltage will reach and continue oscillating irradiation levels are completely different. The two peaks on the
around the MPP level. P–V curve are divided into two separate parts, as shown in
However, in some practical conditions, the series strings of Fig. 2(c). Part A is the curve containing the left peak (curve D–A–
PV modules are not under the same solar irradiance condition. C), and part B is the curve containing the right peak
The partial shading condition is a common situation due to (curve C–B–E). In part A, the current of the PV array is
the shadows of buildings, trees, clouds, dirt, etc. Fig. 1(b)–(d) greater than the maximum current that the PV module can
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CHEN et al.: IMPROVED MPPT CONTROLLER FOR PV SYSTEM 3

Fig. 4. Array output power with unshaded module output voltage and shaded
module output voltage.

3) The voltages of PV modules that receive different solar


Fig. 2. P–V and I–V characteristics curves of a PV array under different partial radiations are different.
shading conditions, as shown in Fig. 1(a)–(d). (a) Unshaded modules. (b) One 4) The voltage of the PV module that is bypassed by a diode is
shaded module with 400 . (c) Two shaded modules with 400 . equal to the negative of the diode’s forward voltage drop.
(d) Three shaded modules with 400

B. The Improved MPPT Controller Method


Fig. 5 shows the flowchart of the improved MPPT algorithm to
track the GMPP under partial shading conditions. The execution
of the algorithm always starts with a reference voltage ( )
value set to 85% of (block 1) as shown in the “Main
Program.” In the meantime, it calculates the number of PV
modules . When under uniform insolation, there is only one
peak in the P–V curve. Traditional MPPT methods such as the
P&O tracking process can work well. Therefore, until the partial
Fig. 3. Every module output voltage with array output power. (a) Unshaded
shading occurs, it maintains the operation at the GMPP by
module. (b) Shaded module. continuously implementing the P&O method (blocks 2 and 3).
When an MPP is found, it will store the point information, i.e.,
produce under the shade (M3 and M4); therefore, the current will array power and the voltage (block 4). A timer interrupt program
flow through the bypass diode of each module. At this stage, only is used to ensure regular checking of the shading condition
PV M1 and M2 are supplying power, and PV M3 and M4 have (block 5). When a PV module voltage is greater than another
been bypassed by the diodes. The characteristic curves of the PV one ( > ) in the same point, it means that partial shading
module voltage with output power are shown in Fig. 3(a) and (b). has occurred. When the absolute difference between and
The voltages of PV M3 and M4 are approximately negative 0.7 V is greater than a predetermined constant (used to eliminate
(the diode’s forward voltage drop) in part A, as shown in Fig. 3(b). sample disturbance and minor differences due to slight changes
Therefore, the module voltages being equal to the negative in insolation), the “Main Program” calls the “GMPP track
of the diode’s forward voltage can be used as one effective way subroutine” (block 7). The “GMPP track subroutine” finds the
to estimate partial shading condition. In part B, all PV modules true GMPP and then passes the control onto the “Main Program,”
are supplying power, but the unshaded and shaded modules are which maintains the operation at this new GMPP.
in different working conditions. Because the PV modules The “GMPP track subroutine” determines the location of the
receive different amounts of solar radiation, the voltages of last MPP on the P–V curve (block 8). When the voltage of any PV
the PV modules are different. In part B (curve C–B–E), the module is less than zero ( < ), it means that the last MPP is the
voltage of the unshaded modules is greater than that of the left peak on the P–V curve [as shown in Fig. 2(d)], and reference
shaded modules, as shown in Fig. 4. It is evident that this is voltage of the right peak is set to about 80% of (block 9).
another indicator to efficiently identify partial shading. Then, a conventional MPP technique (such as P&O) is applied to
Following the above analysis, some of the observations are track this peak (blocks 10 and 11). When any PV module voltage
listed as follows. is not less than zero, the last MPP is the right peak on the P–V
1) I–V curves under partial shading conditions have multiple curve. It divides the voltage of all PV modules into two groups
steps, while the P–V curves are characterized by multiple according to their value and calculates , the number of
peaks. modules in the group with the smaller voltages (block 12). These
2) The number of peaks is equal to the number of different modules will be bypassed and will not output any power [as
insolation levels irradiated on the PV array, and any peak shown in Fig. 2(d)], so the reference voltage of the left peak is
point may be the GMPP. equal to about 80% of (block 13). Afterward,
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4 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

Fig. 5. Flowchart of the improved MPPT control.

the same MPP technique is applied to track this peak (blocks 14 tracked, the new information ( ,
and 15). By comparing the powers of this peak (new MPP) and ) is stored. The output power of the new MPP is greater
the previous one (last MPP), the true GMPP is obtained (blocks than the old one, so point A is the GMPP.
16 and 17). Finally, the reference voltage is set to the voltage of
C. More Levels of Insolation
the true GMPP, and the control is passed onto the “Main
Program,” which maintains the operation at this GMPP until In general, a PV array is irradiated by only two levels of
the timer interrupt occurs again. insolation under the partial shading condition. However, some
To understand the algorithm with an example, assume that a extreme situation may also occur. For example, Fig. 6 shows the
PV array in the case of Fig. 1(c). The local peak [point B, as characteristics of a PV array in which four PV modules are
shown in Fig. 2(c)] is tracked by the P&O method. Whether MPP connected in series and irradiated by four levels of insolation
is reached or not is checked by determining the sign of the power conditions. Obviously, the above algorithm will no longer apply
in two subsequent perturbations. When the local peak (point B) is to this situation, but the observations are still valid. Therefore,
tracked and stored the current information ( , after making some modifications in the GMPP subroutine, the
), the algorithm measures the module voltage previous algorithms can be successfully used for extreme situa-
( , ). Obviously, the judg- tions. The “Main Program” will not have any change and can
ment ( > ) is established, and the “GMPP track subroutine” continue to function well. The new flowchart of “GMPP track
is called. In the GMPP track program, no module voltage is subroutine” is shown in Fig. 7.
smaller than zero, so the module voltages are divided into two In order to determine the number of different insolation levels
groups ( , , and , ), and is equal to 2. Then the new irradiated on the PV array, the new “GMPP track subroutine”
reference voltage is set to 37.1 V, and the P&O method is applied starts with tracking the rightmost peak on the P–V curves. If any
to track another peak (point A). When the peak (point A) is PV module voltage is not less than zero, the last MPP is the
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CHEN et al.: IMPROVED MPPT CONTROLLER FOR PV SYSTEM 5

Fig. 6. Characteristics of a PV array under partial shading condition (the PV


module’s parameters are , , ,
at and ). (a) PV array configura-
tion. (b) I–V and P–V characteristics.

rightmost peak (block 2). Otherwise, the rightmost peak must be


tracked first, and the MPP information is stored (blocks 3–6). All
PV modules are divided into groups with respect to their
voltages and arrangements. The groups in a way that the cells
of the lowest voltage is labeled , while the cells of the largest
voltage is ( < < < ). Next, the subroutine cal-
culates the number of modules ( ) in every group
(block 7). Evidently, is the number of different insolation levels
irradiated on the PV array. There are MPPs information
that needs to be found, and the tracking will be carried out from
right peak to the left peak. When a PV array is operating at the
second rightmost peak on the P–V curves, modules, which
are at the lowest level of radiation, will be bypassed and will not
Fig. 7. Flowchart of the new “GMPP track subroutine.”
output any power, so the reference voltage of the peak is equal to
about 85% of (block 9). The same
method is used to find all other MPPs (blocks 8–13). After that, receives uniform insolation [Fig. 1(a)]. During this period, the
by comparing the powers of all peaks, the true GMPP is obtained P&O method can work well and converge to the MPP. At
(block 14). Finally, the reference voltage is set to the voltage of , a sudden change in the ambient conditions occurs,
the true GMPP, and the control is passed onto the “Main which causes partial shading of the array. The insolation level
Program,” which maintains the operation at this GMPP until on the shaded module becomes [Fig. 1(c)]. At this
the timer interrupt arrives again. time, “GMPP track subroutine” begins to look for GMPP. First,
the P&O method traces the LMPP, and detects the presence of
IV. SIMULATION STUDIES partial shading. Then, the reference voltage of the left peak is set
to 35.5 V (80% of , , ,
In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed MPPT ). Afterward, the new GMPP is tracked down and replaces
and compare with past scanning techniques, some MATLAB the original LMPP at . The whole process takes 1.1 s.
simulation studies for a partial shading variation are carried out. When the whole array is covered in shadow at , the
This process begins with an array from under no shadow [as “GMPP track subroutine” stops, and the P&O method finds a
Fig. 1(a)] to partial shading [as Fig. 1(c)], then finally to complete new MPP. Compared with the proposed algorithm, the P–V
shade coverage (array with insolation of ). Mean- curve periodic scanning algorithm takes more time (8.6 s)
while, two kinds of scanning techniques are chosen for compar- and loses more energy in the process of scanning, as shown in
ing: 1) a P–V curve periodic scan sequence; and 2) a rapid global Fig. 8(b). The rapid global scanning algorithm has good perfor-
scanning algorithm [15]. In order to reasonably compare, all mance on tracking speed and can fast track the GMPP (only
methods are implemented through a boost circuit, the sampling 1.2 s), but some low-power work points still exist in the scanning
time is 0.01 s, and the voltage disturbance in the P&O method is process, as shown in Fig. 8(c). Further, when the whole array is
0.1 V. The disturbance of the rapid global scanning covered in shadow (at ), neither the P–V curve periodic
algorithm is 13.3 V (60% of ) scanning algorithm nor the rapid global scanning algorithm can
The performance of the proposed algorithm under gradually determine the presence of partial shading. So, periodic scan
varying shading conditions is shown in Fig. 8(a). The insolation sequence or “GMPP track subroutine” cannot stop operating, and
level in the time range 0–3 s is , and the entire array cause more energy loss.
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6 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

Fig. 9. Circuit schematic of the boost converter used to track GMPP.

TABLE I
DATA SHEET OF PV MODULE

array consisted of two modules of Solar Dongfang Electric


Corporation (DEC) 280 W, as shown in Fig. 10, and a bypass
diode is in parallel with each module. Table I shows the
characteristic values at standard test conditions (STCs; solar
irradiation , and cell temperature ).
The control unit of the proposed global MPPT system, which is
illustrated in Fig. 9, has been built with a Texas Instruments (TI)
Digital Signal Processor (DSP) TMS320F2812 microcontroller,
which features a 12-bit, 16-channel, A/D converter, and on-chip
8-bit pulsewidth modulation (PWM) outputs. The switching
frequency of the “PWM” control signal has been set to 20 kHz,
and the converter output has been connected to a 30- 600-W
power resistance. In addition, the PV arrays were installed at
different tilt angles to receive unequal solar irradiation. Thus, the
resulting P–V characteristic of the PV array indicates both local
and global MPPs.

B. Experimental Results
Initially, the P–V characteristic, I–V characteristic, and every
PV module voltage of the PV array were experimentally mea-
sured using a scan process. Then, the proposed global MPPT
method was applied. The experimentally measured operating
points of the PV array during the execution of the proposed
global MPPT process (i.e., points P1–P13) are also indicated in
Fig. 11. The time interval between two adjacent operating points
is 0.1 s, and the voltage disturbance in the P&O method is set to
2 V.
Fig. 8. Performance of the three algorithms under varying shading conditions. There are two observed peaks in the P–V curve, as shown in
(a) The proposed algorithm. (b) P–V curve periodic scanning. (c) Rapid global Fig. 12. It proves that the PV array is exposed to two levels of
scanning algorithm.
insolation. As seen in Fig. 12, the proposed algorithm can
V. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS quickly locate the GMPP. Fig. 13 shows the Please array output
voltage with every module output voltage.
A. Experimental Setup
The obtained maximum power, corresponding to the GMPP,
To test the performance of the proposed MPPT technique, a is 181.742 W, while the power corresponding to local peak is
series of experimental tests was performed. Fig. 9 shows a boost 120.192 W. The current and voltage at the GMPP are 2.822 A and
converter system adopted for the verified experiment. The PV 64.402 V, respectively. The values recorded for and are
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CHEN et al.: IMPROVED MPPT CONTROLLER FOR PV SYSTEM 7

87.034 V and 7.920 A, respectively. As two modules are


connected in series, voltages of the two modules connected in
series, V1 and V2, recorded at the GMPP are 34.530 and
29.872 V, respectively.

VI. CONCLUSION
The detection of global MPP is indispensable in maximizing
the PV system energy production in the case of PV array partial
shading. In this paper, a method was presented to track the global
MPP of a PV array. The method has the following advantages.
1) With comparison of the voltages of every PV module, the
method can detect the presence of partial shading and avoid
blind scanning.
2) By separating the voltages of all PV modules into different
Fig. 10. PV arrays used in the experimental setup.
groups, the method can calculate the number of peaks on
P–V curves and quickly locate the GMPP and LMPPs.
3) By calculating the number of PV modules in every group,
the method can predict the locations of GMPP or LMPPs.
This cuts down the tracking time.
The simulation and experimental results verify that the pro-
posed method determine the presence of partial shading and
guarantees convergence to the global MPP under partial shading
conditions.

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8 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

[13] E. Karatepe, M. Boztepe, and M. Çolak, “Development of a suitable model Shulin Tian received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in
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voltaics, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 532–546, Oct. 2012. School of Automation Engineering, University of
[15] H. Patel and V. Agarwal, “Maximum power point tracking scheme for PV Electronic Science and Technology of China. Majored
systems operating under partially shaded conditions,” IEEE Trans. Ind. in measuring and testing technology and instruments,
Electron., vol. 55, no. 4, pp. 1689–1698, Apr. 2008. he has conducted a number of projects in high speed,
[16] A. Zbeeb, V. Devabhaktuni, and A. Sebak, “Improved photovoltaic MPPT high-precision data acquisition and processing, high-
algorithm adapted for unstable atmospheric conditions and partial shading,” speed wave form generation, network/communication
in Proc. Int. Conf. Clean Elect. Power, Jun. 2009, pp. 320–323. testing, testing bus technology, and testing system integration.
[17] S. Kazmi, H. Goto, O. Ichinokura, and H.-J. Guo, “An improved and very Dr. Tian is a Member of the National Electronic Measuring Instrument
efficient MPPT controller for PV systems subjected to rapidly varying Standardization Technology Committee, and Chief Committeeman of the
atmospheric conditions and partial shading,” in Proc. Australas. Univ. Sichuan Automation Control Committee of Instrument, Institute of Sichuan
Power Eng. Conf., Sep. 2009, pp. 1–6. Province, China.
[18] E. Koutroulis and F. Blaabjerg, “A new technique for tracking the global
maximum power point of PV arrays operating under partial-shading con-
ditions,” IEEE J. Photovoltaics, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 184–190, Apr. 2012. Yuhua Cheng (M’10–SM’13) received the Doctor
[19] B. V. P. Chong and L. Zhang, “Controller design for integrated PV converter degree in measurement techniques and automation
modules under partial shading conditions,” Solar Energy, vol. 92, devices from the Sichuan University, Chengdu,
pp. 123–138, 2013. China, in 2007.
[20] M. Trova, “Top 5 performers in PHOTON inverter tests,” in Proc. Photon’s He is an Associate Professor of Automation En-
1st PV Inverter Conf., Stuttgart, Germany, Apr. 2010. gineering with the University of Electronic Science
[21] M. Lei, S. Yaojie, L. Yandan, B. Zhifeng, T. Liqin, and S. Jieqiong, “A high and Technology of China, Chengdu, China. His re-
performance MPPT control method,” in Proc. Int. Conf. Mater. Renew. search interests include nondestructive evaluation
Energy Environ., 2011, vol. 1, pp. 195–199. (NDE), structural health monitoring (SHM), and the
[22] S. Kazmi, H. Goto, O. Ichinokura, and H.-J. Guo, “An improved and very application of photonics in sensing and communica-
efficient MPPT controller for PV systems subjected to rapidly varying tions systems.
atmospheric conditions and partial shading,” in Proc. Australas. Univ.
Power Eng. Conf., 2009, pp. 1–6.
Libing Bai received the B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from
the University of Electronic Science and Technology
Kai Chen received the B.S. and M.S. degrees from the of China, Chengdu, China, in 2008 and 2013.
University of Electronic Science and Technology of Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Auto-
China, Chengdu, China, in 2008 and 2011. Currently, mation Engineering with the University of Electronic
he is pursuing the Ph.D. degree at the School of Science and Technology of China. His research inter-
Automation Engineering, University of Electronic ests include measurement and control technology
Science and Technology of China. and instrument, sensor signal processing, structural
His research interests include testing and measure- health monitoring, and nondestructive testing and
ment instrument design, nondestructive evaluation evaluation.
(NDE), and renewable energy systems.

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