2017 International Seminar on Application for Technology of Information and Communication (iSemantic)

Analyze and Optimization of Genetic Algorithm

Implemented on Maximum Power Point Tracking
Technique for PV System

Prisma Megantoro Fransisco Danang Wijaya

Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Department of Electrical Engineering and Information
Technology Technology
Universitas Gadjah Mada Universitas Gadjah Mada
Yogyakarta, Indonesia Yogyakarta, Indonesia
prisma.megantoro@mail.ugm.ac.id danangwiyaya@ugm.ac.id

Eka Firmansyah
Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
Universitas Gadjah Mada
Yogyakarta, Indonesia
eka.firmansyah@ugm.ac.id

Abstract— In photovoltaic system, Solar Charge Controller
(SCC) device has vital role to keep the performance to get system
efficiency higher. It is done by tracking the maximum power
point on solar cell array where power transfer is on its maximum
condition. This level is on V-I curve where curve characteristic
depends on temperature and sun irradiation level happen on the
moment. There are a lot of algorithms have been developed to
increase the efficiency to this process, it is included to artificial
intelligence based algorithm. One of them is genetic algorithm as
heuristic method developed to imitate the natural selection
process. The implementation of this algorithm is conducted for
tracking process of maximum power point. This research used
modelling to compare this tracking technique to tracking process
which used analytical method. Furthermore, correlation analysis
was done to parameters used to output parameter. Research
results showed that the implementation of genetic algorithm to
maximum power point had excellently on tracking accuracy
parameter and tracking time. While correlation test showed that
parameter of individual number and generation number effected
significantly to the increasing of tracking accuracy and tracking
time.
Keywords— maximum power point tracking; genetic
algorithm; photovoltaic;
I. INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, renewable energy enters new development
era that significantly happens and it is followed by the
finding of unlimited energy resources and technology [1].
Used technology strives for changing to be more advance to
fulfill higher demand of electricity [2]. More efficient of
renewable energy using, bigger number of energy that is
used for electricity. Photovoltaic is a popular renewable
energy nowadays which has energy power for unlimited
sunlight. The application of this kind energy is also
developed followed by converter devices technology
development. Photovoltaic has system used to provide
electrical energy as the source of it. One of vital device on
this system is Solar Charge Controller that has function to
optimize power transfer from electrical power to electrical
storage, or from solar panel to battery bank. To get
maximum power transfer, it needs to do maximum-power-
point-tracking (MPPT) by converting solar-panel-output-
voltage to maximum-power-point-voltage (Vmpp).
Some methods have been developed to increase the
performance of MPPT on SCC device [3][4]. More efficient
system has more accurate and faster performance. On its
technology development, adopted method from artificial
intelligence based algorithm has tried to change the
conventional method [5]. There are many artificial
intelligences for this application toward evolutionary
algorithm like in this research [6][7][8]. This research
implements genetic algorithm used to modelling MPPT
which is considered to photovoltaic characteristics, V-I
curve. Performance analysis from its implementation was
conducted by comparing the existing method performance
[9] with comprehensive counting. Different genetic
algorithm has random-voltage-points. This paper aims to do
parameter analysis which effect to algorithm performance,
correlation test was also done to sampling with some
iterations on each variation from each tested parameter to
obtain the significant parameters effect to performance of
genetic algorithm implementation in tracking the maximum-
power-point.

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II. METHOD
is constanta of energy gap,
MPPT technique by using genetic algorithm need to have
the modelling first to obtain the data curve.

A. Photovoltaic Modelling (5)

Solar panel is modelled without any connection to
battery, and neglect the partial shading effect. It is assumed Modelling result shows different V-I curves which
that solar panel has full lighting. Characteristic of the solar changed depend on level of sun irradiation on full lighting
panel is modelled by V-I curve which shows the relationship as shown in Figure 3[12].
between voltage and current of solar panel as shown in
Figure 1 [10].

Fig.1. V-I Curve to solar panel on full lighting

Fig.3. V-I curve on its irradiation level variation
P-I curve also shows the relationship between voltage
and solar panel power. The effected factor to both
Figure 4 showed the different of V-P curve [12].
characteristics are temperature and sun irradiation level[11].
The model of solar panel module consists of some parallel
PV cells. The characteristics are represented on Figure 2 and
equation (1)[12].

Fig. 4. V-P curve on its variation of irradiation level

There were 4 types of solar panel as a sample, each solar

Fig. 2. The series of solar panel model panel was tested by each specification.
TABLE 1. SPECIFICATION OF SOLAR PANEL TYPE
ܸ ൅ ‫ܫ‬Ǥ ܴ‫ݏ‬ ܸ ൅ ‫ܫ‬Ǥ ܴ‫ݏ‬
‫ ܫ‬ൌ ‫ݒ݌ܫ‬ െ ‫ ݋ܫ‬൤݁‫ ݌ݔ‬൬ ൰ െ ͳ൨ െ
ܽǤ ܸܶ ܴ‫݌‬ Parameter Type of Module
(1) (unit)
KC85T KD135SX MSX60 M2453BB
a is ideal diode constanta, is thermal junction Iscn (A) 5.34 8.37 3.8 8.7
voltage, with is defined by Vocn (V) 21.7 22.1 21.1 37.7
Imp (A) 5.02 7.63 3.5 8.2

(2) Vmp (V) 17.4 17.7 17.1 30.1

is number of PV cell which is connected in series, k Ns (unit) 36 36 36 60
is Boltzmann (J/K)constanta, T is temperature (F) ambient,
while q is electron charge (C).
Iscn is short-connected-current measured on one series
connected of PV cell, Vocn is open-connected-voltage one
(3) series connected of PV cell, while Imp and Vmp are current
and maximum-power-point-voltage gained from laboratory
G is sun irradiation level (W/m^2), is scaled testing on each factory or producer. Ns is number of
current/temperature coefficient (A/K). PV cell on one series of solar panel module.
V-I dan V-P curves of the model sample are shown in
Figure 5 and Figure 6.
(4)

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those two processes, the new individuals are born and

will join to prime individual to form new population on
the next generation. However, in this algorithm
modelling, it has limitations in population size and
individual numbers. Here, the population size is fixed.
The next generation population is formed by selecting
prime chromosome and baby chromosome based on
fitness function or it is called strength level on natural
process.
The mapping of natural process into computation
process is shown on Table 2.
TABLE 2. THE MAPPING OF NATURAL PROCESS INTO
COMPUTATION PROCESS

Fig. 5. V-I curve on module type on different solar panel Natural process Computation process
Individual Problem solving
Population Solving collection
Value of fitness Solving quality
Chromosome Solving representation
Gen Part of solving representation
Natural selection Selecting the problem solving based on
its quality
Crossing Genetic operator
Mutation Genetic operator

b. The implementation of GA-MPPT

The process of maximum-power-point-tracking is
explained on current chart below as shown in Figure 7.

Fig. 6. V-P curve of module type on different solar panel

The difference on each tested solar panel specification

has shown different curve of V-I and V-P.

B. Genetic Algorithm-MPPT Modelling

a. Theory of genetic algorithm
Genetic algorithm (GA) is a heuristic method based
on genetic principle and natural selection process of
theory of Darwinian Evolution. This optimization
method was developed by John Holland around 1960s
and is popularized by his student, David Goldberg
around 1980s [13].
On Theory of Darwinian Evolution, individual is
created randomly then exist by reproduction so that
group of individual is exist, namely population. This
theory recognizes natural selection process to keep
individual by only its high strength to be exist in life. It
also works on genetic algorithm. The optimization is
started by generating individual randomly, which is
called as chromosome. Those chromosomes consist of
some gens which are represented to binary number n-
bit. Their real value will be observed to represent their
strength level. Only chromosome with the highest
strength that can be exist.
Chromosomes are also crossed like the process of
creature copulation. Some chosen gens are crossed
between prime chromosome with other chromosome.
Then mutation happens to these chromosomes. From Fig. 7. Flowchart of GA-MPPT algorithm

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c. Declaration and parameter initialization
Before MPPT by GA begins, declaration from
parameters used on solar panel characteristics
modelling is done. Those declared parameters are
ambient of temperature value and level of sun
irradiation.
Initialization of free algorithm parameter is also done to
define performance of tracking process. The parameters
are number of gen, number of individual, number of
generation, crossing probability, and mutation
probability.
The management of algorithm parameter value as
suggested by [14] are follows:
a. Quite big crossing probability (60-70%)
b. Quite small mutation probability (1 gen for 1
chromosome/individual)
c. Population size between 50-500
chromosome/individual
d. Generating of first prime chromosome
Random matrix generating is conducted to
represent gen from whole generated individual. Matrix
is generated by size (number of gen x number of
individual). Every element of matrix is filled by 0 or 1.
Herewith, each chromosome is represented by a binary
code gen-bit number.
e. Gen coding
Every represented chromosome in binary code is
converted into real number to define its representation
value on equation:
(6)
x is chromosome representation value,
minimum value (0), is maximum voltage value
(Voc), N is number of binary bit/ gen, is binary
number. The value of x represents the value of solar
panel voltage as controlled parameter.
f. Evaluation
Every representation value on every chromosome
then added into equation (Villalva) modelling to obtain
its fitness function value, which is value of solar panel
power (P).
g. Selection
By using level selection method and elitist
selection method, every chromosome will be ordered
according to its fitness value. Chromosome with higher
fitness value will be put on the front order. The
probability on chosen chromosome is defined based on
linear distribution function. Then, those chromosomes
on half-order from its individual number (and up) will
be kept for the next generation. It means that remain
chromosomes are omitted.
h. Crossing
Selected chromosomes then being crossed by other
chromosomes. Each chromosome has its couple. Every
couple of prime chromosome will produce 2 baby
chromosomes. This crossing is using n-point method.
The crossing point is selected randomly. Number of
crossed gen is considered from its controlled crossing
probability.
(7)
In this method, every couple of chromosome is cut into
2 pieces. The first baby chromosome is coming from
the first cut of second prime chromosome. And the
second baby chromosome is coming from second cut of
first prime chromosome and second cut of second prime
chromosome.
i. Mutation
Some genes on each chromosome will be mutated.
The choosing of gen number is conducted randomly
while mutated gen number is considered by its mutation
probability.
(8)
Mutation method used binary code. The chosen gen
will be converted into its logical condition. If the
beginning is 1 then being 0, and vice versa. Then the
mutated chromosome will be used as prime
chromosome for the next generation.
Optimization process done in genetic algorithm will
stop after any requirement is achieved [15]. For that
case, the requirement is number of generation.
III. IMPLEMENTATION
is
A. GA-MPPT Performance
a. Comparison testing
MPPT tracking performance uses genetic algorithm
will be compared to MPPT done by [10] which uses
comprehensive counting by same equations. This is
done for different 4 variations of solar panel module
type. Every testing has 33 same iterations to genetic
algorithm parameters. The treatment is done to number
of gen (12 times), number of individual (12 times), and
number of generation (40 times). Those tests are
considered from some main parameters.
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TABLE 3. THE RESULT OF TRACKING PERFORMANCE TESTING ON COMPREHENSIVE ALGORITHM AND GENETIC ALGORITHM
Type of PV KD135SX_UPU M2453BB MSX60 KC85T

Algorithm Villalva GA-MPPT Villalva GA-MPPT Villalva GA-MPPT Villalva GA-Mgn

Pmpp (P) 135.0432 135.5347 246.8196 231.0215 59.8485 58.1707 87.3477 84.9592
Vmpp (V) 17.901 17.4846 30.16 29.1431 17.302 16.7318 17.577 17.562
Impp (A) 7.5439 7.7516 8.1837 7.9272 3.4591 3.5364 4.9694 4.8377
Accuracy (%) 98.8644 98.7833 99.807 96.8202 98.8187 97.8568 98.98.28 99.069
Period (second) 0.63801 0.22088 1.0972 0.10457 0.98735 0.20485 0.91242 0.20163
Voc (V) 22.1 37.7 21.1 21.7
Interval of voltage (V) 0.221 0.005 0.377 0.009 0.211 0.005 0.217 0.005

According to the monitoring data of PV System

built in The Kinanthi Hostel of Universitas Gadjah
Mada, captured at Friday May 26th 2017, the output
power is significantly fluctuated. The trend of the
output power shows the irradiance level that
proportionally also fluctuated. The fluctuation indicates
that the sky condition changes slowly that was obtained
11-13 times per hour. Based on the value of tracking
period showed on Table 3, the GA-MPPT algorithm
will not give a significant effect to the performance of
the SCC device by its tracking period.
The figures 8, 9, 10 and 11 showed the comparison
of these two algorithms based on the V-P curve. Beside Fig. 10. V-P curve on comparison testing by using solar panel
shows the output power, they also shows the accuracy. module type MSX60
Nearer to the blue spot (Vmpp) from PV module
specification), mean it has higher accuracy.

Fig. 11. V-P curve on comparison testing by using solar panel

Fig. 8. V-P curve on comparison testing by using solar panel module type module KC85T
KD135SX UPU
b. Correlation testing
The performance of maximum power point
tracking by using genetic algorithm is effected by the
value of used algorithm, so that correlation testing to
each input and output parameter is done. Every testing
needs 33 iterations. The result can be seen in Table 4.

Fig. 9. V-P curve on comparison testing by using solar panel

module M2453BB

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TABLE 4. THE RESULT OF CORRELATION TESTING BETWEEN REFERENCES

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