Improving photovoltaic cell parameter calculations through a puffer fish inspired optimization technique.

The precise estimation of solar PV cell parameters has become increasingly important as solar energy deployment expands. Due to the intricate and nonlinear characteristics of solar PV cells, meta-heuristic algorithms show greater promise than traditional ones for parameter estimation. This study utilizes the Puffer Fish (PF) meta-heuristic optimization method, inspired by male puffer fish's circular structures, to estimate parameters of a modified four-diode PV cell. The PF algorithm's performance is assessed against ten benchmark test functions, with results presented as mean and standard deviation for validation. Comparative analysis with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO), Rat Search Algorithm (RAT), Heap Based Optimizer (HBO), and Cuckoo Search (CS) algorithms highlights PF's superior performance, achieving optimal solutions with minimal error of 7.8947E-08. Statistical tests, including Friedman Ranking (1st) and Wilcoxon's rank sum (3.8108E-07), confirm PF's superiority. The circular structures of male puffer fish serve as an effective model for optimization algorithms, enhancing parameter estimation. Benchmark tests and statistical analysis consistently underscore PF's superiority over other meta-heuristic algorithms. Future research should explore PF's potential applications in solar energy and beyond.