JEREMIAH CHIMAROKE OKECHUKWU

Photovoltaic systems have drawn growing research interest in recent decades. PV generators show nonlinear current–voltage and power–voltage behavior, and their maximum power output changes with irradiance and temperature. Because PV arrays convert sunlight with relatively low efficiency, they require maximum power point tracking control to harvest as much energy as possible as light levels, shading, temperature, and module characteristics change. MPPT algorithms automatically adjust the power interface so the solar operating voltage stays near the maximum power point under varying atmospheric conditions. MPPT has become a key factor when evaluating PV system performance. This study reviews various MPPT techniques, summarizes background concepts, implementation topologies, grid interconnection issues, and solar microinverter requirements found in the literature, and offers comparative analysis with concise discussion. The review also covers MPPT advantages, disadvantages, and classification to serve as a reference for future research aimed at optimizing solar power generation. Conventional MPPT methods are simple to implement but suffer from oscillations around the maximum power point and slower tracking due to fixed perturbation steps. Intelligent methods perform better, producing smaller steady state oscillations and faster tracking compared with conventional approaches.