An Advanced Bio-Inspired Mantis Search Algorithm for Characterization of PV Panel and Global Optimization of Its Model Parameters

Correct modelling and estimation of solar cell characteristics are crucial for effective performance simulations of PV panels, necessitating the development of creative approaches to improve solar energy conversion. When handling this complex problem, traditional optimisation algorithms have significant disadvantages, including a predisposition to get trapped in certain local optima. This paper develops the Mantis Search Algorithm (MSA), which draws inspiration from the unique foraging behaviours and sexual cannibalism of praying mantises. The suggested MSA includes three stages of optimisation: prey pursuit, prey assault, and sexual cannibalism. It is created for the R.TC France PV cell and the Ultra 85-P PV panel related to Shell PowerMax for calculating PV parameters and examining six case studies utilising the one-diode model (1DM), two-diode model (1DM), and three-diode model (3DM). Its performance is assessed in contrast to recently developed optimisers of the neural network optimisation algorithm (NNA), dwarf mongoose optimisation (DMO), and zebra optimisation algorithm (ZOA). In light of the adopted MSA approach, simulation findings improve the electrical characteristics of solar power systems. The developed MSA methodology improves the 1DM, 2DM, and 3DM by 12.4%, 44.05%, and 48.88%, 28.96%, 43.19%, and 55.81%, 37.71%, 32.71%, and 60.13% relative to the DMO, NNA, and ZOA approaches, respectively. For the Ultra 85-P PV panel, the designed MSA technique achieves improvements for the 1DM, 2DM, and 3DM of 62.05%, 67.14%, and 84.25%, 49.05%, 53.57%, and 74.95%, 37.03%, 37.4%, and 59.57% compared to the DMO, NNA, and ZOA techniques, respectively.