This paper provides the up to date review of the shading effects on PV module performance and the associated detection algorithm related to the maximum power point tracking. It includes the brief explanations of the MMP variations due to the shading occurrence on the PV modules. Review of experimental and simulation studies highlighting the significant impacts of shading on PV efficiencies were presented. The literature indicates that even the partial shading of a single cell can greatly drop the entire module voltage and power efficiency. The MMP tracking approaches were also reviewed in this study. Both conventional and advanced soft computing methods such as ANN, FLC and EA were described for the proper tracking of MMP under shaded conditions. This paper would be the basic source and the comprehensive information associated with the shading effects and relevant MPP tracking technique.