This paper proposes a Simulated Annealing based Global Maximum Power Point Tracking (GMPPT) technique designed for photovoltaic (PV) systems which experience partial shading conditions (PSC). The proposed technique is compared with the common Perturb and Observe MPPT technique and the Particle Swarm Optimization method for GMPPT. The performance is assessed by considering the time taken to converge and the number of sample cases where the technique converges to the GMPP. Simulation results indicate the improved performance of the Simulated Annealing based GMPPT algorithm, with arbitrarily selected parameters, in tracking to the global maxima in a multiple module PV system which experiences PSC. Experimental validation of the technique is presented based on PV modules that experience non-uniform environmental conditions. Additionally, studies regarding the influence of the key parameters of the SA based algorithm are described. Simulation and experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed GMPPT method.Index Terms-photovoltaic systems, maximum power point trackers, simulated annealing, particle swarm optimization. 0885-8993 (c)

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