Illuminance sensor for error correction of DC-DC converter tracking using Perturb and Observe algorithm

A known problem in the literature of the Perturb and Observe (P&O) algorithm with higher power point tracking is the tracking error under fast changes in sunlight irradiance, which causes efficiency loss. The main cause of this erratic behavior is that the converter cannot distinguish whether the change of power generated by the panel is coming from a change made by the converter algorithm or by a solar irradiance changing. This paper proposes an illuminance sensor system, which combined with converters that use P&O algorithm, corrects the error tracking especially during fast variations of solar irradiance. Also, some results obtained from sensor system are presented showing the linearity and non-saturation under direct irradiation of sunlight or artificial light as well as the correction of the tracking error using the algorithm P & O with the sensor unit.