Finding an optimal PV panel maximum power point tracking method

Author

Bekker, Bernard ; Beukes, H.J.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. & Electron. Eng., Stellenbosch Univ., South Africa

Volume

2

fYear

2004

fDate

15-17 Sept. 2004

Firstpage

1125

Abstract

The need for a maximum power point tracker in a photovoltaic system is explained. A variety of photovoltaic panel maximum power point tracking methods are then briefly compared. The optimal method from those compared, where the photovoltaic panel power-voltage curve is scanned periodically, and the maximum power point tracker is controlled by current, is discussed in detail. Problems with this implementation are highlighted, and the design of a voltage-controlled implementation using the same power-voltage curve scan is presented. Problems and advantages of this system are given.

Keywords

electric current control; electric current measurement; optimal control; photovoltaic power systems; solar cells; voltage control; voltage measurement; current control; current measurement; maximum power point tracking method; optimal method; photovoltaic panel; photovoltaic system; power-voltage curve; solar panel; voltage measurement; voltage-controlled implementation; Batteries; Birds; Current measurement; Power generation; Power measurement; Process design; Sun; Temperature distribution; Virtual manufacturing; Voltage control;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

AFRICON, 2004. 7th AFRICON Conference in Africa

Print_ISBN

0-7803-8605-1

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/AFRICON.2004.1406864

Filename

1406864