Performance Evaluation of Solar Photovoltaic System under Variable Environmental Conditions Using MATLAB/Simulink

Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has become one of the most promising renewable energy solutions for sustainable electricity generation due to its clean operation, low maintenance, and abundant availability of solar energy. However, the electrical performance of photovoltaic systems is strongly influenced by environmental factors, particularly solar irradiance and operating temperature. Variations in these parameters alter the current–voltage (I–V) and power–voltage (P–V) characteristics of PV modules, resulting in changes in output power and overall system efficiency. Therefore, evaluating the performance of PV systems under different environmental conditions is essential for improving their reliability and energy harvesting capability. This study presents a MATLAB/Simulink-based comparative performance analysis of a solar photovoltaic system under varying irradiance and temperature conditions. A PV array integrated with a Boost DC–DC converter and a Perturb and Observe (P&O) Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controller is developed to investigate system behaviour under realistic operating conditions. The model is simulated at irradiance levels of 1000, 800, 600, 400, and 200 W/m², while the operating temperature is varied to examine its influence on the electrical characteristics of the PV array. Important performance parameters, including output voltage, output current, output power, and maximum power point (MPP), are analysed and compared. Simulation results indicate that an increase in solar irradiance significantly enhances the generated current and output power, whereas higher operating temperatures mainly reduce the output voltage and overall conversion efficiency. The implemented P&O-based MPPT algorithm effectively tracks the maximum power point under all tested environmental conditions, thereby improving the energy extraction capability of the photovoltaic system. The comparative analysis demonstrates the strong dependence of PV performance on environmental conditions and highlights the importance of accurate simulation before practical deployment. The proposed MATLAB/Simulink model provides an efficient and reliable platform for analysing photovoltaic system performance under different climatic conditions. The outcomes of this study can assist researchers and system designers in optimizing solar PV installations and serve as a basis for future investigations involving advanced MPPT techniques, intelligent control strategies, and grid-connected photovoltaic applications.