Maximum power point tracking using boost converter input resistance control

In this paper, the idea of controlling the input resistance of a switching power converter is proposed to track the maximum power point (MPP) of a photovoltaic (PV) module. To this end, we present a control technique based on a pseudoresistive input model of the boost converter operating in the discontinuous conduction mode. The proposed method regulates the input resistance of the converter to a desired value estimated in real-time and based on operating conditions. In particular, the PV resistance at the maximum power point is estimated during PV operation which is used to control the input resistance of the converter for achieving maximum power transfer. The performance of the proposed method is verified by experimental results. The proposed method can be extended to strings and arrays of PV modules to achieve MPP tracking which is currently under investigation in our research.