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The development of highly efficient models of Photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules is essential for optimized performance, evaluation and control of solar PV systems. The accurate estimation of PV cells parameters is a challenging task because of their non-linear characteristics. In this paper, an improved variant of Flower Pollination Algorithm (FPA) is proposed for accurate estimation of PV cells and modules parameters. The proposed algorithm involves double exponential based dynamic switch probability and a dynamic step size function that mitigate the limitations of conventional FPA. The dynamic switch probability improves the overall performance of algorithm by maintaining a balance between local and global search, while dynamic step function controls the search speed which avoids premature convergence and local optima stagnation. Moreover, Newton Raphson Method is utilized for accurate computation of estimated current for optimum set of estimated parameters. The proposed methodology is evaluated using seven benchmark functions and three case studies; 1- RTC France silicon PV cell, 2- Photo-watt PWP-201 PV module and 3- a practical solar PV system (EAGLE PERC 60M 310W monocrystalline PV module) under different environmental conditions by estimating parameters for single and double diode models. The analysis of results indicates that, the proposed approach improves the convergence speed, precision, avoids premature convergence and stagnation in local optima of conventional FPA. Furthermore, comparative analysis of results illustrates that, the proposed approach is more reliable and efficient than many other techniques in literature.

Distributed Generation (DG) based on Renewable Energy Sources (RES) are considered as an effective and economical technology for the advancement of an Electric Power System (EPS) to fulfill the load demand. Mostly, studies pertaining to DG planning are performed while considering constant load demand and DG generation. However, these considerations may provide misleading and inconsistent values for loss reduction, voltage profile, power quality, and other operational parameters. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel framework to determine the impact of different Time Varying Voltage Dependent (TVVD) load models on wind DG planning study. Firstly, wind DG optimal allocation is performed using Salp Swarm Algorithm (SSA) for different TVVD load models. Afterwards, impact of different TVVD load models on wind DG planning is investigated. Comparative evaluation of various impact indices, real and reactive power (losses and intakes), penetration level, and apparent power support provided due to integration of wind DG are discussed for various TVVD loads. The analysis of results indicates that TVVD loads have a significant impact on performance of distribution system and DG planning studies.

Proliferation of electric demand and congestion in the existing network intensify challenges and problems for researchers and power system planners. Currently, these problems are mostly solved by Distributed Generation (DG). DG is placed near the customer end to meet the load demand economically, hence reducing the existing network burden. This paper attempts to present an overview of technological development carried out in the DG field. Numerous technical constraints must be considered while integrating DG in the system. The improvement in voltage stability, voltage profile, and reduction in power losses are the main benefits posed by DG integration. This paper also highlights the key issues associated with the DG allocation problem, types of DG, and methodologies for optimal DG units allocation.

The operation of Photovoltaic (PV) system mainly rely on appropriate modeling of solar cells and optimum approximation of parameters associated with them. Recently, various hybrid, numerical and analytical techniques were proposed to extract optimal parameters of PV cell. This paper presents an efficient approach, A Simulated Annealing Inertia Weight Particle Swarm Optimization (SAIW-PSO) for optimal estimation of PV parameters for double and single diode models. In addition, fitness indicator is guided using the Newton Raphson Method (NRM) that supports SAIW -PSO to explore the optimal solution. The premature convergence problem of typical PSO is resolved by the proposed framework. The strength of proposed approach is validated under standard test conditions (STC) on RTC France Silicon Solar cell. The SAIW-PSO is capable to explore optimum solution in smaller number of iterations and less computation time. The obtained results clearly depict that the proposed framework is fast, efficient and much accurate for PV cells parameters approximation.

Solar cell modeling and optimal estimation of their associated parameters is a key point to improve performance of PV solar system. Recently, different numerical, analytical and hybrid approaches have been developed for parameter extraction of PV model. In this paper the Chaotic Inertia Weight Particle Swarm Optimization (CIWPSO) technique is proposed to estimate PV parameters of single and double diode. Furthermore, the Newton Raphson method (NRM) is employed to guide the fitness indicator towards optimal solution. The propose approach solves the premature convergence problem of the conventional PSO. This new approach is implemented on RTC France Silicon Solar cell, under standard test conditions (STC). CIWPSO has ability to find optimal solution with the requirement of relatively less computational time and number of iterations. The validity of results clearly supports the statement that, the proposed approach is highly accurate, efficient and fast for parameter estimation of PV cells.

The efficiency of PV systems can be improved by accurate estimation of PV parameters. Parameter estimation of PV cells and modules is a challenging task as it requires accurate operation of PV cells and modules followed by an optimization tool that estimates their associated parameters. Mostly, population-based optimization tools are utilized for PV parameter estimation problems due to their computational intelligent behavior. However, most of them suffer from premature convergence problems, high computational burden, and often fall into local optimum solution. To mitigate these limitations, this paper presents an improved variant of particle swarm optimization (PSO) aiming to reduce shortcomings offered by conventional PSO for estimation of PV parameters. PSO is improved by introducing two strategies to control inertia weight and acceleration coefficients. At first, a sine chaotic inertia weight strategy is employed to attain an appropriate balance between local and global search. Afterward, a tangent chaotic strategy is utilized to guide acceleration coefficients in search of an optimal solution. The proposed algorithm is utilized to estimate the parameters of the PWP201 PV module, RTC France solar cell, and a JKM330P-72 PV module-based practical system. The obtained results indicate that the proposed technique avoids premature convergence and local optima stagnation of conventional PSO. Moreover, a comparison of obtained results with techniques available in the literature proves that the proposed methodology is an efficient, effective, and optimal tool to estimate PV modules and cells’ parameters.

Parameters associated with electrical equivalent models of the photovoltaic (PV) system play a significant role in the performance enhancement of the PV system. However, the accurate estimation of these parameters signifies a challenging task due to the higher computational complexities and non-linear characteristics of the PV modules/panels. Hence, an effective, dynamic, and efficient optimization technique is required to estimate the parameters associated with PV models. This paper proposes a double exponential function-based dynamic inertia weight (DEDIW) strategy for the optimal parameter estimation of the PV cell and module that maintains an appropriate balance between the exploitation and exploration phases to mitigate the premature convergence problem of conventional particle swarm optimization (PSO). The proposed approach (DEDIWPSO) is validated for three test systems, (1) RTC France solar cell, (2) Photo-watt (PWP 201) PV module, and (3) a practical test system (JKM330P-72, 310 W polycrystalline PV module) which involve data collected under real environmental conditions for both single- and double-diode models. Results illustrate that the parameters obtained from proposed technique are better than those from the conventional PSO and various other techniques presented in the literature. Additionally, a comparison of the statistical results reveals that the proposed methodology is highly accurate, reliable, and efficient.