A real time implementation of an improved MPPT controller for photovoltaic systems

This paper proposes and develops a novel maximum power point tracking (MPPT) approach. This method is designed to be applied to systems that are fed with a photovoltaic (PV) generator. It is based on the bijectivity of the PV generator characteristic; as if the optimal current is reached, this means that the V_pv generator is obligatory at its optimal value leading to an optimal power. Based on this principle, as maximum power is obtained either based on the I_pv current control or the V_pv voltage control. In this paper, the MPPT algorithm is based only on the I_pv current control. The proposed MPPT algorithm is implemented on a dSpace DS1104 controller board. To demonstrate the efficiency and the validity of the developed algorithm in real time, an experimental setup around a buck converter and a resistive load is successfully implemented and experimentally studied. Obtained experimental results prove the validity of the proposed MPPT algorithm.