Objective Under local shade conditions the traditional maximum power point tracking MPPT algorithm usually tracks the local optimum. A single swarm intelligence optimization algorithm can effectively track the maximum power point in the presence of multiple extreme values but the tracking time is relatively long. Therefore an MPPT algorithm based on the combination of the black widow optimization algorithm BWOA and perturbation and observation P&O method was proposed. Methods In this method the duty cycle of the switch tube in the boost circuit was defined as the individual position in the algorithm and the MPPT control was realized by adjusting the output duty cycle. Results Compared with the original BWOA algorithm and PSO algorithm MPPT based on the combination of BWOA and P&O algorithm can track the maximum power point more quickly. Conclusion The combination of the P&O can effectively accelerate the convergence speed of the BWOA algorithm and improve the convergence accuracy.