Title :
A new approach to maximum power point tracking for photovoltaic panels
Author :
Cristaldi, L. ; Faifer, Marco ; Rossi, Mattia ; Toscani, Sergio
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electron., Inf. & Bioeng., Politec. di Milano, Milan, Italy
Abstract :
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.
Keywords :
maximum power point trackers; photovoltaic power systems; sunlight; INC method; MB MPPT algorithm; MIC; P&O method; PV panel conversion efficiency; dynamic performance; incremental conductance method; maximum power point tracking; module-integrated converter; perturb-observe method; photovoltaic panel model; power electronics converter; pyranometer; solar radiation measurement; steady state accuracy; training process; Current measurement; Maximum power point trackers; Photovoltaic systems; Solar radiation; Temperature measurement; Voltage measurement; Photovoltaic cells; energy efficiency; modeling; parameter estimation; solar energy;
Conference_Titel :
Clean Electrical Power (ICCEP), 2013 International Conference on
Conference_Location :
Alghero
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4673-4429-6
DOI :
10.1109/ICCEP.2013.6586917