A new approach to obtain I-V and P-V curves of photovoltaic modules by using DC-DC converters

The achievement of I-V and P-V curves of photovoltaic modules gives the possibility of obtaining their characteristic parameters: the short-circuit current (I/sub sc/), the open-circuit voltage (V/sub oc/), the maximum power point (MPP) and the fill factor (FF). These values are significant for the design of a photovoltaic system. These curves depend on the global irradiance (G), the temperature (T) and the spectral distribution of the solar irradiation. In this paper, a new methodology to determine the afore mentioned curves by using DC-DC converters is proposed. This methodology allows carrying out the complete sweep of the voltage and the current (including V/sub oc/ and I/sub sc/). Regarding the traditional methods, this new one provides the following advantages: a) minimum power loss with regard to the systems that operate in lineal zone (active zone); this implies several advantages in size and cost; and b) this new method allows an automatic adaptation of the interpolation interval.