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

Author

Scarpa, Vladimir V R ; Buso, Simone ; Spiazzi, Giorgio

Author_Institution

Dept. of Inf. Eng., Univ. of Padova, Padova

Volume

56

Issue

5

fYear

2009

fDate

5/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1531

Lastpage

1538

Abstract

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.

Keywords

approximation theory; battery chargers; photovoltaic power systems; solar cells; MPP locus characterization; MPP tracking strategy; PV module; high solar irradiation; linear approximation; low-complexity MPPT technique; maximum power point tracking; open circuit voltage; photovoltaic module; power 55 W; solar-powered battery charger circuit; temperature variations; Maximum power point (MPP) tracking; stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) systems;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Industrial Electronics, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0278-0046

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TIE.2008.2009618

Filename

4689407