Maximum Perturbation Step Size in MPP-Tracking Control for Ensuring Predicted PV Power Settling Behavior

Teuvo Suntio and Alon Kuperman
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Teuvo Suntio: Electrical Engineering Unit, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland
Alon Kuperman: Applied Energy Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8410501 Beer-Sheva, Israel

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 20, 1-19

Abstract: The heuristic perturb-and-observe-based maximum-power-point tracking (MPPT) algorithm of photovoltaic (PV) generator is still the most popular technique in use, despite the broad spectrum of developed other MPPT algorithms. The correct direction of the next perturbation step requires that the previous perturbation is settled down properly and the applied perturbation step size is large enough to overcome the PV-power changes induced by the varying irradiation level and/or the power-grid-originated PV-voltage ripple. The requirements for the minimum perturbation step size are well defined in the available literature. The design equations to predict the PV-power settling time are derived by assuming that the PV-interfacing converter operates in continuous conduction mode (CCM). A large perturbation step size may drive the interfacing converter to enter into discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), which will delay the PV-power settling process and destroy the validity of the predicted settling times. In order to avoid confusing the MPPT process, the maximum perturbation step size has to be limited as well. This paper provides theoretical foundations for the proper design of the maximum step size based on the DC-DC interfacing-converter dynamic behavior. The theoretical findings are validated with experiments as well as by simulations by means of a boost-type DC-DC converter and real PV panel.

Keywords: PV generator; MPP tracking; perturbation step size; transient settling time (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: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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