Abstract: | This paper describes a novel strategy of maximum‐power‐point tracking for photovoltaic power generation systems. A unique feature of this method is the capacity to see the maximum power point using only a single transducer, that is, a Hall‐effect CT or an isolation amplifier. Output power of the photovoltaic can be estimated with an average value and ripple amplitude of the detected reactor current or the capacitor voltage. A conventional hill‐climbing method is employed to seek the maximum power point, using the output power estimated with only the current or voltage transducer. In this paper, not only a theoretical aspect of the proposed method is discussed, but also experimental results are presented to prove the feasibility of the method. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 160(1): 79– 86, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20275 |