Abstract

In a photovoltaic (PV) system, shading caused by weather and environmental factors can significantly impact electricity production. For over a decade, artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have been applied to enhance energy production efficiency in the solar energy sector. This paper demonstrates how AI-based control systems can improve energy output in a solar power plant under shading conditions. The findings highlight that AI contributes to the sustainable development of the solar power sector. Specifically, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control systems, utilizing metaheuristic and computer-based algorithms, enable PV arrays to mitigate the impacts of shading effectively. The effect of shading on a PV module is also simulated using MATLAB R2018b. Using actual PV data from a solar power plant, power outputs are compared in two scenarios: (I) PV systems without a control system and (II) PV arrays equipped with MPPT boards. The System Advisor Model (SAM) is employed to calculate the monthly energy output of the case study. The results confirm that PV systems using MPPT technology generate significantly more monthly energy compared to those without MPPTs.