A novel maximum power point tracker for PV panels using switching frequency modulation

A novel technique for efficiently extracting maximum power from photovoltaic (PV) panels is presented. The power conversion stage, which is connected between a PV panel and a load or bus, is a SEPIC or Cuk converter or their derived circuits operating in discontinuous inductor-current or capacitor-voltage mode. A method of locating the maximum power point (MPP) is based on injecting a small-signal sinusoidal perturbation into the switching frequency and comparing the AC component and the average value of the panel terminal voltage. Apart from not requiring any sophisticated digital computation of the panel power, the proposed technique does not approximate the panel characteristics and can globally locate the MPP under wide insolation conditions. The tracking capability has been verified experimentally with a 10 W solar panel under a controlled experimental setup. Performances under the steady state and in the large-signal change of the insolation level will are given.     

Analytic Solution to the Photovoltaic Maximum Power Point Problem

Photovoltaic (PV) power has been successfully used for over five decades. Whether in dc or ac form, photovoltaic cells provide power for systems in many applications on earth and space. Its principles of operation are therefore well understood, and circuit equivalents have been developed that accurately model the nonlinear relationship between the current and voltage of a photovoltaic cell. With the improved efficiencies of power electronics converters, it is now possible to operate photovoltaic system about its maximum power point (MPP) in order to improve the overall system efficiency. Hitherto, this problem has been tackled using tracking (MPPT) algorithms that iteratively find the point of maximum power and respond to changes in solar irradiance accordingly. A mathematical manipulation that uses the mean value theorem is presented here that provides the analytic solution of a point in a close neighborhood of the MPP. It is thoroughly proved that this point is enclosed in a ball of small radius that also contains the MPP and therefore can practically be considered as the MPP. Since the solution is analytic, no iterative schemes are necessary, and only a periodic measurement is required to adjust to changes in solar irradiance. A circuit is implemented that shows the validity of the theory and the accuracy of the solution.     

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.     

Use of system oscillation to locate the MPP of PV panels

This letter proposes the use of system oscillation in a perturbation-based maximum power point (MPP) tracker to locate the MPP of photovoltaic (PV) panels. Instead of using an explicit perturbation source, the tracker controller is designed to make the overall system self-oscillate, so that the duty cycle of the main switch in the power conversion stage (PCS) is inherently modulated with a small-amplitude variation at a predefined frequency around the required steady-state value. The tracking mechanism is based on comparing the ac component (due to the variation of the duty cycle) and the average value of the input voltage of the PCS to determine the quiescent duty cycle. The proposed technique does not approximate the panel characteristics and can globally locate the MPP under wide insolation conditions. The tracking capability has been verified experimentally with a 10-W PV panel in a controlled setup. Performances at the steady state and during the large-signal change of the insolation level have been studied.     

A PSO‐based maximum power point tracking for photovoltaic systems under environmental and partially shaded conditions

To increase the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems, maximum power point (MPP) tracking of the solar arrays is needed. Solar arrays output power depends on the solar irradiance and temperature. Also the mismatch phenomenon caused by partial shade will affect the output power of solar systems and lead to the incorrect operation of conventional MPP tracker. Under partially shaded conditions, the solar array power–current characteristic has multiple maximum. This paper presents a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) with particle swarm optimization method for PV systems under partially shaded condition. The performance of the proposed method is compared with perturb and observe (P&O), improved P&O, voltage‐based maximum power point tracking and current‐based maximum power point tracking algorithms, especially, under partially shaded condition. Simulation results confirm that proposed MPPT algorithm with high accuracy can track the peak power point under different insolation, temperature and partially shaded conditions, and it has the best performance in comparison with four mentioned MPPT algorithms. Also under rapidly changing atmospheric conditions, the P&O algorithm is diverged. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new algorithm for rapid tracking of approximate maximum power point in photovoltaic systems

This paper presents a new algorithm for tracking maximum power point in photovoltaic systems. This is a fast tracking algorithm, where an initial approximation of maximum power point is (MPP) quickly achieved using a variable step-size. Subsequently, the exact maximum power point can be targeted using any conventional method like the hill-climbing or incremental conductance method. Thus, the drawback of a fixed small step-size over the entire tracking range is removed, resulting in reduced number of iterations and much faster tracking compared to conventional methods. The strength of the algorithm comes from the fact that instead of tracking power, which does not have a one-to-one relationship with duty cycle, it tracks an intermediate variable /spl beta/, which has a monotonically increasing, one-to-one relationship. The algorithm has been verified on a photovoltaic system modeled in Matlab-Simulink software. The algorithm significantly improves the efficiency during the tracking phase as compared to a conventional algorithm. It is especially suitable for fast changing environmental conditions. The proposed algorithm can be implemented on any fast controller such as the digital signal processor. All the details of this study are presented.     

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.     

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.     

光伏发电系统最大功率点激光定位系统

传统光伏发电系统最大功率点定位精度较差,导致光伏发电系统的功率增益较差,为此提出基于激光点跟踪定位的光伏发电系统最大功率点激光定位方法。构建光伏发电系统的电路阻抗参数分析模型,通过滤波电感和滤波电容联合参数估计的方法,进行光伏发电系统最大功率控制和潮流逆流点跟踪控制,根据控制器参数和功率变化量跟踪定位进行功率突变诱发的激光点,采用激光点扫描方法进行光伏发电系统的受控源参数分析,建立光伏发电系统的端电压分析等效模型,通过光伏并网逆变稳态控制对光伏发电系统最大功率点进行控制,通过激光点定位方法,实现光伏发电系统最大功率点激光定位系统的优化设计。仿真结果表明,采用该方法进行光伏发电系统最大功率点激光定位的精度可达99.96%,功率突变引发的电路过渡过程得到优化控制,提高了光伏发电系统的稳定性和输出增益。     

基于DSP的改进PSO光伏阵列MPPT控制应用

为了解决光伏（PV）系统在局部阴影条件下（PSC）的最大功率点跟踪问题,提出了一种基于改进粒子群算法（PSO）的快速最大功率点跟踪（MPPT）方法。与传统基于PSO的MPPT系统不同的是,采用了基于转换器电流动态行为的变量抽样时间策略（VSTS）,并且为了更快速的实现最大功率点跟踪,引入三个重要因数,即：粒子数、收敛速度以及抽样时间。采用DSP平台对提出系统进行了具体实现和性能评估,实验结果显示相比其他类似系统,在不同条件（包括PSC）下,提出算法均能够实现速度跟踪且精确度较高。     

Operation of series‐connected silicon‐based photovoltaic modules under partial shading conditions

Partial shading has been recognized as a major cause of energy losses in photovoltaic (PV) power generators. Partial shading has severe effects on the electrical characteristics of the PV power generator, because it causes multiple maximum power points (MPPs) to the power‐voltage curve. Multiple maxima complicate MPP tracking, and the tracking algorithms are often unable to detect the global maximum. Considerable amount of available electrical energy may be lost, when a local MPP with low power is tracked instead of the global MPP. In this paper, the electrical characteristics of series‐connected silicon‐based PV modules under various partial shading conditions are studied by using a Matlab/Simulink simulation model. The simulation model consists of 18 series‐connected PV modules, corresponding to a single‐phase grid‐connected PV power generator. The validity of the simulation model has been verified by experimental measurements. The voltage and power characteristics of the PV power generator have been investigated under various system shading and shading strength conditions. The results can be utilized to develop new MPP tracking algorithms and in designing, for example, building integrated PV power generators. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A novel maximum power point tracking technique for solar panels using a SEPIC or Cuk converter

A novel technique for efficiently extracting the maximum output power from a solar panel under varying meteorological conditions is presented. The methodology is based on connecting a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) DC/DC SEPIC or Cuk converter between a solar panel and a load or battery bus. The converter operates in discontinuous capacitor voltage mode whilst its input current is continuous. By modulating a small-signal sinusoidal perturbation into the duty cycle of the main switch and comparing the maximum variation in the input voltage and the voltage stress of the main switch, the maximum power point (MPP) of the panel can be located. The nominal duty cycle of the main switch in the converter is adjusted to a value, so that the input resistance of the converter is equal to the equivalent output resistance of the solar panel at the MPP. This approach ensures maximum power transfer under all conditions without using microprocessors for calculation. Detailed mathematical derivations of the MPP tracking technique are included. The tracking capability of the proposed technique has been verified experimentally with a 10-W solar panel at different insolation (incident solar radiation) levels and under large-signal insolation level changes.     

基于短路电流和扰动观察的光伏最大功率跟踪

在光伏最大功率跟踪（maximum power point tracking,MPPT）系统中,针对传统的扰动观察法（perturbation and observation,P＆O）难以同时满足跟踪速度和精度要求的问题,在原有的短路电流法的基础上,引入一种改进的扰动观察法,该算法不仅能够消除最大功率点附近的震荡,而且还能有效地提高响应速度.利用MATLAB/Simulink平台进行仿真,实验结果表明了算法的有效性.     

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.     

具有光伏水泵控制功能通用变频器的研制

文介绍一种基于DSP具有光伏水泵控制功能的通用变频控制系统。利用空间电压矢量算法实现对光伏阵列母线电压动态补偿的功能,保证在光伏阵列工作电压大范围变化条件下,变频驱动电机满足恒磁通调速控制。再结合光伏水泵系统的工作特点,给出了两种简单的CVT和TMPPT最大功率点跟踪控制方式。实现了最大功率点跟踪控制及系统的可靠稳定运行。     

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.     

Low-Complexity MPPT Technique Exploiting the PV Module MPP Locus Characterization

This paper proposes a method for tracking the maximum power point (MPP) of a photovoltaic (PV) module that exploits the relation existing between the values of module voltage and current at the MPP (MPP locus). Experimental evidence shows that this relation tends to be linear in conditions of high solar irradiation. The analysis of the PV module electrical model allows one to justify this result and to derive a linear approximation of the MPP locus. Based on that, an MPP tracking strategy is devised which presents high effectiveness, low complexity, and the inherent possibility to compensate for temperature variations by periodically sensing the module open circuit voltage. The proposed method is particularly suitable for low-cost PV systems and has been successfully tested in a solar-powered 55-W battery charger circuit.     

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.     

Six‐element circuit for maximum power point tracking in photovoltaic‐motor systems with variable‐frequency drives

A low‐cost circuit was developed for stable and efficient maximum power point (MPP) tracking in autonomous photovoltaic‐motor systems with variable‐frequency drives (VFDs). The circuit is made of two resistors, two capacitors, and two Zener diodes. Its input is the photovoltaic (PV) array voltage and its output feeds the proportional‐integral‐derivative (PID) controller usually integrated into the drive. The steady‐state frequency–voltage oscillations induced by the circuit were treated in a simplified mathematical model, which was validated by widely characterizing a PV‐powered centrifugal pump. General procedures for circuit and controller tuning were recommended based on model equations. The tracking circuit presented here is widely applicable to PV‐motor system with VFDs, offering an efficient open‐access technology of unique simplicity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.