Modified Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithm under Time-Varying Solar Irradiation

Mehmet Ali Yildirim and Marzena Nowak-Ocłoń
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Mehmet Ali Yildirim: Department of Energy, Cracow University of Technology, 31-864 Kraków, Poland
Marzena Nowak-Ocłoń: Department of Energy, Cracow University of Technology, 31-864 Kraków, Poland

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 24, 1-15

Abstract: Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy is one of the most viable renewable energy sources, considered less polluting than fossil energy. However, the average power conversion efficiency of PV systems is between 15% and 20%, and they must operate with high efficiency. Photovoltaic cells have non-linear voltage–current characteristics that are dependent on environmental factors such as solar irradiation and temperature, and have low efficiency. Therefore, it becomes crucial to harvest the maximum power from PV panels. This paper aims to study and analyze the most common and well-known maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms, perturb and observe (P&O) and incremental conductance (IncCond). These algorithms were found to be easy to implement, low-cost techniques suitable for large- and medium-sized photovoltaic applications. The algorithms were tested and compared dynamically using MATLAB/Simulink software. In order to overcome the low performance of the P&O and IncCond methods under time-varying and fast-changing solar irradiation, several modifications are proposed. Results show an improvement in the tracking and overall system efficiencies and a shortened response time compared with original techniques. In addition, the proposed algorithms minimize the oscillations around the maximum power point (MPP), and the power converges faster.

Keywords: photovoltaic (PV); maximum power point tracking (MPPT); time-varying solar irradiation; single-diode PV cell model; boost converter (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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