**5. Discussion**

Different MPPT methods have their own merits and demerits. To compare the MPPT methods, different performance evaluation criteria such as tracking speed, dynamic tracking under partial shading, cost and complexity of the method, and differentiation between global and local maxima are used. The partial shading condition affects the power generated from the PV system and hence global maximum power point tracking (GMPPT) are required to increase the efficiency and harvesting capacity. Different GMPP tracking algorithms are discussed in this paper. It can be observed from the discussion that GMPP tracking algorithms based on hybridization of soft computing technique with conventional technique have better performance in terms of tracking speed, high tracking accuracy, and high convergence speed and are effective under partial shading. The hybrid method compensates for the disadvantage of one algorithm with the other; however, the complexity of implementing the technique practically increases. Some algorithms, such as ABC and ACO, have similar performance, and choosing a suitable algorithm depends on the intended application by comparing the evaluation criteria.

Table 1 compares MPPT-based partial shading mitigation techniques concerning efficiency, tracking speed, and level of complexity. Table 2 presents the comparison of circuit-based MPPT mitigation techniques. Table 2 shows that the power electronics equalizer-based MPPT technique has fast tracking speed. However, the method depends on system parameters and is complex. Table 3 provides a comparison of conventional and soft computing methods.


**Table 1.** MPPT-based methods comparison (soft computing and hybrid methods).

**Table 2.** Circuit-based MPPT methods comparison.


**Table 3.** Comparison of conventional and soft computing methods.

