Toward multiple maximum power point estimation of photovoltaic systems based on semiconductor theory

Environmental conditions, such as temperature, non‐uniform irradiation, and solar shading, deeply affect the characteristics of photovoltaic (PV) modules in PV‐assisted generation systems. Several local maximum power points (MPPs) are found in the power–voltage curve of PV systems constructed by series/parallel‐connected PV modules under partially shaded conditions. The characteristics of PV systems change unpredictably when multiple MPPs occur, so the actual MPP tracking (MPPT) becomes a difficult task. Conventional MPPT methods for the PV systems under partially shaded conditions cannot quickly find the actual MPP such that the optimal utilization of PV systems cannot be achieved. Based on the p–n junction semiconductor theory, we develop a multipoint direct‐estimation (MPDE) method to directly estimate the multiple MPPs of the PV systems under partially shaded conditions and to cope with the mentioned difficulties. Using the proposed MPDE method, the multiple MPPs of the PV systems under partially shaded conditions can be directly determined from their irradiated current–voltage and power–voltage characteristic curves. The performances of the proposed MPDE method are evaluated by examining the characteristics of multiple MPPs of PV systems with respect to different shading strengths and numbers of the shaded PV modules and also tested using the field data. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed MPDE method can simply and accurately estimate the multiple MPPs of the PV systems under partially shaded conditions. The optimization of MPP control models and the MPPT for PV systems could be achieved promisingly by applying the proposed method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental Performance of MPPT Algorithm for Photovoltaic Sources Subject to Inhomogeneous Insolation

Photovoltaic (PV) power system performance depends on local irradiance conditions. PV systems are sometimes subject to partial shading, which may produce a nonideal characteristic curve, presenting true and local power maxima in the P -I curve. Traditional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms can converge to local maximum, which is not the true MPP. In order to solve the problem, this paper investigates the effects of nonuniform solar irradiance distribution on a PV source. An MPPT algorithm that is able to optimize the source instantaneous operating power under nonuniform irradiance is proposed. The ability of the algorithm and its increased performance with respect to traditional algorithms are evaluated by means of experimental tests performed on a real PV power system.     

Maximum Power Point Tracking Scheme for PV Systems Operating Under Partially Shaded Conditions

Current-voltage and power-voltage characteristics of large photovoltaic (PV) arrays under partially shaded conditions are characterized by multiple steps and peaks. This makes the tracking of the actual maximum power point (MPP) [global peak (GP)] a difficult task. In addition, most of the existing schemes are unable to extract maximum power from the PV array under these conditions. This paper proposes a novel algorithm to track the global power peak under partially shaded conditions. The formulation of the algorithm is based on several critical observations made out of an extensive study of the PV characteristics and the behavior of the global and local peaks under partially shaded conditions. The proposed algorithm works in conjunction with a DC-DC converter to track the GP. In order to accelerate the tracking speed, a feedforward control scheme for operating the DC-DC converter is also proposed, which uses the reference voltage information from the tracking algorithm to shift the operation toward the MPP. The tracking time with this controller is about one-tenth as compared to a conventional controller. All the observations and conclusions, including simulation and experimental results, are presented.     

Performance evaluation of a MPPT controller with model predictive control for a photovoltaic system

ABSTRACT

Efficiency has been a major factor in the growth of photovoltaic (PV) systems. Different control techniques have been explored to extract maximum power from PV systems under varying environmental conditions. This paper evaluates the performance of a new improved control technique known as model predictive control (MPC) in power extraction from PV systems. Exploiting the ability of MPC to predict future state of controlled variables, MPC has been implemented for tacking of maximum power point (MPP) of a PV system. Application of MPC for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) has been found to result into faster tracking of MPP under continuously varying atmospheric conditions providing an efficient system. It helps in reducing unwanted oscillations with an increase in tracking speed. A detailed step by step process of designing a model predictive controller has been discussed. Here, MPC has been applied in conjunction with conventional perturb and observe (P&O) method for controlling the dc-dc boost converter switching, harvesting maximum power from a PV array. The results of MPC controller has been compared with two widely used conventional methods of MPPT, viz. incremental conductance method and P&O method. The MPC controller scheme has been designed, implemented and tested in MATLAB/Simulink environment and has also been experimentally validated using a laboratory prototype of a PV system.     

Comparative study of maximum power point tracking algorithms

Maximum power point trackers (MPPTs) play an important role in photovoltaic (PV) power systems because they maximize the power output from a PV system for a given set of conditions, and therefore maximize the array efficiency. Thus, an MPPT can minimize the overall system cost. MPPTs find and maintain operation at the maximum power point, using an MPPT algorithm. Many such algorithms have been proposed. However, one particular algorithm, the perturb‐and‐observe (P&O) method, claimed by many in the literature to be inferior to others, continues to be by far the most widely used method in commercial PV MPPTs. Part of the reason for this is that the published comparisons between methods do not include an experimental comparison between multiple algorithms with all algorithms optimized and a standardized MPPT hardware. This paper provides such a comparison. MPPT algorithm performance is quantified through the MPPT efficiency. In this work, results are obtained for three optimized algorithms, using a microprocessor‐controlled MPPT operating from a PV array and also a PV array simulator. It is found that the P&O method, when properly optimized, can have MPPT efficiencies well in excess of 97%, and is highly competitive against other MPPT algorithms. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A hybrid modified FA-ANFIS-P&O approach for MPPT in photovoltaic systems under PSCs

ABSTRACT

A modified firefly algorithm (MFO)-based adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) combined with the perturbation and observation (P&O) is used in this paper to track the maximum power point (MPP) in photovoltaic systems (PVs). The proposed method identifies and tracks the MPP in two stages. First, according to the irradiance on the solar panels, the ANFIS approximately identifies the MPP. In the second stage, the P&O method starts to act in the tracking cycle and initiates an accurate searching process from that point. The suggested hybrid method covers the problems of commonly-used methods, such as inability in detecting the global MPP under partial shading conditions (PSCs) and trapping in the local optima. Furthermore, the method provides significantly higher speed for the MPP tracking under various irradiance patterns. To prove the above-mentioned claims, the given approach is compared with the P&O method as a common method in the MPPT and particle swarm optimisation (PSO) which operates based on swarm intelligence. Simulation results obtained from MATLAB/Simulink environment show that the proposed method identifies and tracks the MPP under uniform irradiance and PSCs in a very short time of roughly 0.2 s.     

Parallel-Connected Solar PV System to Address Partial and Rapidly Fluctuating Shadow Conditions

Solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays in portable applications are often subject to partial shading and rapid fluctuations of shading. In the usual series-connected wiring scheme, the residual energy generated by partially shaded cells either cannot be collected (if diode bypassed) or, worse, impedes collection of power from the remaining fully illuminated cells (if not bypassed). Rapid fluctuation of the shading pattern makes maximum power point (MPP) tracking difficult; generally, there will exist multiple local MPPs, and their values will change as rapidly as does the illumination. In this paper, a portable solar PV system that effectively eliminates both of the aforementioned problems is described and proven. This system is capable of simultaneously maximizing the power generated by every PV cell in the PV panel. The proposed configuration consists of an array of parallel-connected PV cells, a low-input-voltage step-up power converter, and a simple wide bandwidth MPP tracker. Parallel-configured PV systems are compared to traditional series-configured PV systems through both hardware experiments and computer simulations in this paper. Study results demonstrate that, under complex irradiance conditions, the power generated by the new configuration is approximately twice that of the traditional configuration. The solar PV system can be widely used in many consumer applications, such as PV vests for cell phones and music players.     

光伏电池MPPT扰动观察法的研究现状

为了提高太阳电池的利用率并降低系统成本,需要采用最大功率跟踪(MPPT)控制策略使光伏阵列获得最大功率输出。在众多的MPPT控制方法中,扰动观察法由于原理简单、易于实现而成为MPPT控制中应用和研究最为广泛的方法之一。但传统的扰动观察法在稳态下由于其固定的扰动步长会在最大功率点(MPP)附近形成振荡,并且当外界环境发生快速变化时会出现误判断的现象。为了克服以上不足,研究者们提出了很多改进方案。文章对这些改进方案进行了综述,这些改进方案主要包括以下三类:变步长的改进方法、改进的新方法以及与其他方法结合的扰动观察法。     

Real-Time Identification of Optimal Operating Points in Photovoltaic Power Systems

Photovoltaic power systems are usually integrated with some specific control algorithms to deliver the maximum possible power. Several maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods that force the operating point to oscillate have been presented in the past few decades. In the MPPT system, the ideal operation is to determine the maximum power point (MPP) of the photovoltaic (PV) array directly rather than to track it by using the active operation of trial and error, which causes undesirable oscillation around the MPP. Since the output features of a PV cell vary with environment changes in irradiance and temperature from time to time, real-time operation is required to trace the variations of local MPPs in PV power systems. The method of real-time estimation proposed in this paper uses polynomials to demonstrate the power–voltage relationship of PV panels and implements the recursive least-squares method and Newton–Raphson method to identify the voltage of the optimal operating point. The effectiveness of the proposed methods is successfully demonstrated by computer simulations and experimental evaluations of two major types of PV panels, namely: 1) crystalline silicon and 2) copper–indium–diselenide thin film.     

一种基于Boost电路的光伏最大功率跟踪方法

最大功率跟踪(MPPT)是太阳能光伏发电的重要组成部分,依靠最大功率跟踪可使光伏电池工作在最大功率点(MPP)附近,提高太阳能的利用率.在分析光伏电池的数学模型的基础上,选用Boost电路作为DC/DC变换来搭建仿真模型;针对传统的定步长扰动观测法存在的震荡和误判现象,提出一种改进的扰动观测法,并在Matlab/Simulink环境下进行了仿真.与定步长的扰动观测法的仿真结果进行对比,表明该算法的响应速度更加迅速;在外界环境发生变化时,该算法能够快速做出判断,准确地跟踪到光伏电池的最大功率点.     

基于双并联Boost电路的光伏系统最大功率点跟踪控制方法

光伏电池的输出功率取决于外界环境（温度和光照条件）和负载状况,需采用最大功率点跟踪（MPPT）电路,才能使光伏电池始终输出最大功率,从而充分发挥光伏器件的光电转换效能.在比较了常用光伏发电系统控制的优缺点后,依据MPPT控制算法的基本工作原理,主电路采用双并联Boost电路,具有电压提升功能,并且能够提高DC-DC环节的额定功率和减小直流母线电压的纹波.针对传统扰动观察法存在的振荡和误判问题,提出了一种新型的基于双并联Boost电路的改进扰动观察法最大功率跟踪策略.在Matlab/Simulink下进行了建模与仿真,仿真结果表明,当外界环境发生变化时,系统能快速准确跟踪此变化,避免算法误判现象的发生,通过改变当前的负载阻抗,使之与光伏电池的输出阻抗等值相匹配采满足最大功率输出的要求,使系统始终工作在最大功率点处,并且在最大功率点处具有很好的稳态性能.最后通过实验验证了该算法的有效性.     

A Variable Step Size INC MPPT Method for PV Systems

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques are employed in photovoltaic (PV) systems to make full utilization of PV array output power which depends on solar irradiation and ambient temperature. Among all the MPPT strategies, the incremental conductance (INC) algorithm is widely used due to the high tracking accuracy at steady state and good adaptability to the rapidly changing atmospheric conditions. In this paper, a modified variable step size INC MPPT algorithm is proposed, which automatically adjusts the step size to track the PV array maximum power point. Compared with the conventional fixed step size method, the proposed approach can effectively improve the MPPT speed and accuracy simultaneously. Furthermore, it is simple and can be easily implemented in digital signal processors. A theoretical analysis and the design principle of the proposed method are provided and its feasibility is also verified by simulation and experimental results.     

Improvement of maximum power point tracking in photovoltaic arrays in different environments using hybrid algorithms

When the photovoltaic(PV) system is generating PV power, the partial shading(PS) condition will cause multiple peaks in the power-voltage curve, and changes in light intensity and ambient temperature will cause the curve to shift. Traditional maximum power point tracking(MPPT) methods, such as the incremental conductance(INC) method, have the problem of being trapped in the local optimal solution. Biomimetic optimization algorithms, such as particle swarm optimization(PSO), have problems with os...     

Short-current pulse-based maximum-power-point tracking method formultiple photovoltaic-and-converter module system

This paper proposes a novel maximum-power-point tracking (MPPT) method with a simple algorithm for photovoltaic (PV) power generation systems. The method is based on use of a short-current pulse of the PV to determine an optimum operating current where the maximum output power can be obtained and completely differs from conventional hill-climbing-based methods. In the proposed system, the optimum operating current is instantaneously determined simply by taking a product of the short-current pulse amplitude and a parameter k because the optimum operating current is exactly proportional to the short current under various conditions of illuminance and temperature. Also, the system offers an identification capability of k by means of fast power-versus-current curve scanning, which makes the short-current pulse-based MPPT method adaptive to disturbances such as shades partially covering the PV panels and surface contamination. The above adaptive MPPT algorithm has been introduced into a current-controlled boost chopper and a multiple power converter system composed of PV-and-chopper modules. Various operating characteristics have experimentally been examined on this multiple PV-and-chopper module system from a practical viewpoint and excellent MPPT performance has been confirmed through the tests     

Three-Phase Photovoltaic System With Three-Level Boosting MPPT Control

This paper proposes a three-phase photovoltaic (PV) system with three-level boosting maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control. A simple MPPT control using a power hysteresis tracks the maximum power point (MPP), giving direct duty control for the three-level boost converter. The three-level boost converter reduces the reverse recovery losses of the diodes. Also, a weighted-error proportional and integral (PI) controller is suggested to control the dc link voltage faster. All algorithms and controllers were implemented on a single-chip microprocessor. Experimental results obtained on a 10-kW prototype show high performance, such as an MPPT efficiency (MPPT effectiveness) of 99.6%, a near-unity power factor, and a power conversion efficiency of 96.2%.      

Investigation of Maximum Power Point Tracking for Thermoelectric Generators

In this paper, a thermoelectric generator (TEG) model is developed as a tool for investigating optimized maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms for TEG systems within automotive exhaust heat energy recovery applications. The model comprises three main subsystems that make up the TEG system: the heat exchanger, thermoelectric material, and power conditioning unit (PCU). In this study, two MPPT algorithms known as the perturb and observe (P&O) algorithm and extremum seeking control (ESC) are investigated. A synchronous buck–boost converter is implemented as the preferred DC–DC converter topology, and together with the MPPT algorithm completes the PCU architecture. The process of developing the subsystems is discussed, and the advantage of using the MPPT controller is demonstrated. The simulation results demonstrate that the ESC algorithm implemented in combination with a synchronous buck–boost converter achieves favorable power outputs for TEG systems. The appropriateness is by virtue of greater responsiveness to changes in the system’s thermal conditions and hence the electrical potential difference generated in comparison with the P&O algorithm. The MATLAB/Simulink environment is used for simulation of the TEG system and comparison of the investigated control strategies.     

A novel analytical model for determining the maximum power point of thin film photovoltaic module

Achieving the maximum power output from photovoltaic (PV) modules is indispensable for the operation of grid‐connected PV power systems under varied atmospheric conditions. In recent years, the study of PV energy for different applications has attracted more and more attention because solar energy is clean and renewable. We propose an efficient direct‐prediction method to enhance the utilization efficiency of thin film PV modules by tackling the problem of tracking time and overcoming the difficulty of calculation. The proposed method is based on the p–n junction recombination mechanism and can be applied to all kinds of PV modules. Its performance is not influenced by weather conditions such as illumination or temperature. The experimental results show that the proposed method provides high‐accuracy estimation of the maximum power point (MPP) for thin film PV modules with an average error of 1.68% and 1.65% under various irradiation intensities and temperatures, respectively. The experimental results confirm that the proposed method can simply and accurately estimate the MPP for thin film PV modules under various irradiation intensities and temperatures. In future, the proposed method will be used to shed light on the optimization of the MPP tracking control model in PV systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于变步长电导增量法MPPT的研究

光伏电池的输出功率与太阳辐射和环境温度变化,若不加以控制,将不会以最大功率输出。本文提出了一种变步长电导增量法,在光伏发电系统实现最大功率点跟踪。应用MATLAB建立光伏电池板的最大功率点跟踪变步长电导增量法的仿真模型并仿真。仿真结果表明,变步长电导增量法跟踪最大功率点效果良好,相比传统电导增量法,减弱了最大功率点附近振荡的情况,适合干快速变化的环境条件,具有良好的动态和稳态特性。     

CMOS integrated MPP tracker with analog power measurement at the PV converter input

An integrated converter controller with maximum power point (MPP) regulation in 0.35 μm CMOS for photovoltaic (PV) applications is reported. The implemented MPP tracker bases on a perturb and observe algorithm and acquires the information concerning the power flow via an analog processing circuit which is connected at the switched mode converter input respectively the output of the attached PV string of nine cells. There the solar cell current is measured via a very low-ohmic shunt resistor of 1 mΩ and analogously multiplied with the cell voltage. As output the fabricated test chip directly generates a 530 kHz PWM signal for the external switched mode converter. Measurements show that under similar conditions analog MPP tracking of the converter input power improves the robustness with respect to settling times of the power path compared to those topologies at which the power is measured at the converter output. Between 0.4 and 7.5 A photocurrent the chip achieves tracking efficiencies better than 99.5 % while the power consumption is only 750 μW and a very low chip area demand of 0.043 mm² for the MPP tracking core is achieved.     

A low‐cost photovoltaic emulator for static and dynamic evaluation of photovoltaic power converters and facilities

In testing maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms running on electronic power converters for photovoltaic (PV) applications, either a PV energy source (PV module or PV array) or a PV emulator is required. With a PV emulator, it is possible to control the testing conditions with accuracy so that it is the preferred option. The PV source is modeled as a current source; thus, the emulator has to work as a current source dependent on its output voltage. The proposed emulator is a buck converter with an average current mode control loop, which allows testing the static and dynamic performance of PV facilities up to 3 kW. To validate the concept, the emulator is used to evaluate the MPPT algorithm of a 230‐W experimental microinverter working from a single PV module. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.