A new approach to maximum power point tracking for photovoltaic panels

Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms are essential to optimize the conversion efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) panels in every working condition. Many techniques have been presented in literature, and the most common are the perturb and observe (P&O) and the incremental conductance (INC) methods. Their parameters result from a trade-off between steady state accuracy and dynamic performance. When the power electronics converter is connected to a single PV panel (module integrated converter, MIC) model-based (MB) MPPT techniques appear to be attractive because of their fast response to rapidly changing conditions. In a recent paper the authors have presented a novel MB MPPT algorithm which requires a pyranometer just during a preliminary training process. In this work it will be shown how the direct measurement of the solar radiation can be avoided at all, without scarifying the performance. The method has been validated through an extensive experimental activity.