A low-cost microcontroller-based maximum power point tracking system with multiple-string connection for PV stand-alone applications

Author

Kamnarn, U. ; Srita, S. ; Yousawat, S.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. Eng., Rajamangala Univ. of Technol. Lanna, Chiang Mai, Thailand

fYear

2013

fDate

22-25 April 2013

Firstpage

1343

Lastpage

1348

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to design and implementation of a multiple-string connection using modular buck converter with Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) for stand-alone PV solar energy system. A simple, highly-performance algorithm suitable to be implemented in a low-cost microcontroller (PIC 18F4431) has been developed in order to make photovoltaic arrays track and operate in their maximum power point. A 3kWp prototype distributed solar controller comprising 4-modular MPPT buck converters with the proposed control scheme has been designed and implemented. Experimental results confirm excellent tracking effectiveness and rapid dynamic response.

Keywords

control system synthesis; maximum power point trackers; microcontrollers; photovoltaic power systems; power generation control; solar power; 4-modular MPPT buck converters; PIC 18F4431; control scheme; low-cost microcontroller; maximum power point tracking system; multiple-string connection; photovoltaic arrays; prototype distributed solar controller; rapid dynamic response; stand-alone PV solar energy system; tracking effectiveness; Batteries; Mathematical model; Maximum power point trackers; Photovoltaic systems; Solar energy; Temperature;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Power Electronics and Drive Systems (PEDS), 2013 IEEE 10th International Conference on

Conference_Location

Kitakyushu

ISSN

2164-5256

Print_ISBN

978-1-4673-1790-0

Electronic_ISBN

2164-5256

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/PEDS.2013.6527228

Filename

6527228