A new MPPT technique for the maximization of overall system output in solar generation

Various maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods used in solar generation systems have one common point, that is, they all select the output of the solar array as their control target and try to make it maximum. However, a typical solar generation system consists of a solar array and a DC/DC converter. Making the output of the solar array maximum does not certainly result in the maximum DC/DC converter output because the efficiency of the DC/DC converter is dependent upon its input voltage and current and will affect the overall output of the system. This paper describes a new MPPT technique which considers the solar array and the DC/DC converter as one system and maximizes the overall system output. The experiment results verified the validity of the method and some discussions on the new method are made.