Technical survey and review on MPPT techniques to

attain Maximum Power of Photovoltaic system

Davinder Singh (Research Student) and Harjinder Singh (Guide)

Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering

Punjabi University Patiala (PUNJAB)-India

Email: [email protected] , [email protected]

Abstract

Solar energy is a good source of renewable energy has led to the need of harnessing energy
from renewable resources of energy (RRE). Solar energy is one of the most efficient which is
available at free of cost from the Sun to the earth. There are two main drawbacks with PV
module, the high cost of PV cells and their conversion efficiency. In the I-V characteristics of
PV module which is non-linear but has a unique maximum power point. To increase or to
maximize the output power of photo-voltaic system Maximum power point tracking (MPPT)
techniques are used. This study review the latest possible techniques which are used for attain
maximum power and provide the research background knowledge about recent development
in MPPT techniques. This paper represent the different improved techniques and used as
future research related to optimizing the solar power generation.

Keyword: Keywords- Maximum power point tracking (MPPT), photo-voltaic (PV),

incremental conductance (INC), perturb and observe (P&O), fractional open circuit voltage
(FVOC), Renewable Resources Energy (RRE), Non renewable Energy (NRE)

1. INTRODUCTION

In the salad days of millennium, authorities of India as well as other countries are tend to use
of this renewable energy in palace of non renewable sources of energy due to myriad benefits
of this energy.[2, 4] Moreover, consumers are also come in this side to avail the renewable
sources of energy instead to use non renewable energy (NRE) sources like fossil fuels,
nuclear energy because it emit the harmful gasses by which environment became pollute day
by day and masses suffered by non curable diseases like asthma, cancer etc. So, that India
government runs many programs related to awareness about the renewable resources and also
motivated the people time by time [8, 16, 24, 28, 30, 31]

Usually, The PV modules used commercially are having efficiency between 6 to 16% and the
variation in their efficiency depends on the technology used [1], [3]. There are mainly two
techniques to get high conversion efficiency. The first one is based on both electrical and
mechanical (electro-mechanical) equipments also known as sun trackers which are helpful to
track the best position for solar PV module during the operating time. And the second one is
totally based on electrical equipments which are helpful to vary the electrical parameters at
the output of the solar PV module because of which the PV module allows to operate in the
optimal operating point [1]. Figure 2 shows a basic MPPT system.

Photovoltaic Converter Load

panels

MPPT

Figure2 Block Diagram of MPPT controller [1]

It is clear from figure 3, the output power of PV module is directly proportional to the
irradiation and figure 4 shows that the output power of PV array is inversely proportional to
the temperature.

2. Overview of MPPT Techniques

2.1 Perturb and Observe

This paper [9] gave an idea to use a boost converter to control the output of solar panel in
the form of voltage and current which is depend on different parameters. Moreover, the P&O
algorithm is used to solve the problems and its simulation output gives the maximum output
which is show on the oscilloscope in the form of curve. But it has some disadvantages like
tracking related and some other problems by which peak power don’t achieve in previous
system. Apart from this, this algorithm was compare the four parameters and make hybrid
system based on P&O. It helps to maintain the efficiency.MPPT technique to achieve a better
trade-off between the dynamic response and the oscillations. This method was more practical
under different variations of solar irradiation, compared to the previous ones. They are used
as a combination of an algorithm which generates a starting value of the duty cycle which
corresponded to the MPP for any irradiation level, and other previous MPPT techniques
which generated the step size and compute the duty cycle. This combination gave accurate
tracking direction, fast convergence and negligible oscillations around the MPP. For
comparison purposes, FLA and P&O based controller simulated in MATLAB/Simulink using
a sinusoidal and ramp profiles of irradiation.

J. Ahmed et al. [12] proposed refined P&O planted MPPT techniques for PV System. The
techniques boost the steady state act of the traditional P&O, and the techniques also give the
chance of beaten the tracking course. Consequently V. R. Kota et al. [18] conferred a survey
on common MPPT algorithms. Common algorithms endure from reduced efficiency,
fluctuation in steady state power and undefined dynamic behaviour of MPPT arrangement
proving linear tangents located P&O was proposed, and M. S. Sivagamasundari et al. [17]
inclined vitality, a particularly elective wellspring of vitality is crucial for the progress of a
Country. In this exploration, the framework execution is advanced by irritating and watched
technique utilizing buck help converter. The execution has been counted by the
MATLAB/Simulink platform.

2.2 Modified Perturb & Observe

A. Chermitti et al. [13] Recommended improved MPPT algorithm P&O under rapidly
changing due to weather conditions and experiment was simulated in MATLAB/Simulink
atmosphere. Then, V. K. Devi et al. [5] conferred to grab steady state and speedily changeable
climatic circumstances. The experimenters distinguished between two techniques in which
modified P&O method was projected and P&O method was picked for determination because
this method needs to reduce the utilization cost with more excellent accomplishment output.

2.3 Artificial Neural Network

A. K. Rai et al. [14] spoken under the Simulink model of an ANN occupying MPPT
governor. The ANN tracker assessment, the currents and voltages associated with a
maximum power impact by solar PV array for unstable cell temperature and radiation. The
tracker was inclined to employ a set of 124 arrangements employing the back-propagation
algorithm. The ability of the ANN tracker has been approved by engaging distinct test data
fixed.

2.4 Incremental Conductance

N. E. Zakzouk, et al. [19] Introduced variable-step InC(Incremental Conductance) technique,

for PV MPPT. This method achieved developed transient performance with less steady state
power oscillations around the MPP even under partial shading. For this technique’s
validation, simulation work was carried out, and an experimental set up was implemented in
the ARDUINO Uno board, based on low-cost Atmega328 microcontroller. Along with K.
Vishweswara [20] outlined the investigation of InC which based upon MPPT for a PV system
to have the benefits of low frequency exchange. This manuscript proposes MPPT techniques
with an understandable algorithm for PV power creation system and set down on the
application of an InC of the PV to round off a best functioning current for the uppermost
output power.

2.5 Constant Voltage

K. A. Aganah and A. W. Leedy [21] determined constant voltage MPP algorithm that
automatically adjusts the reference voltage to the account for varying environmental
conditions. Analog feed-forward pulse width modulator controller was developed to
continuously track the MPP of a solar cell array as the weather conditions vary and also
simulated in MATLAB/Simulink. M. Lasheen et al. [22] Exhibited MPPT was designed for
entire PV applications. They intended to retool the potential of the constant voltage approach
to exploit proportional integral controller along gains persistent over the GA. The
experimented approaches have been calculated by numerical simulation adopting MATLAB
covered by the different atmospheric situation.

2.6 Open Circuit Voltage

J. S. Kumari et al. [23] discussed on the design and analysis of open circuit voltage planted
MPPT for PV system upon open circuit voltage algorithm to have the preferences multilevel
inverter of underneath frequency switching and retrench integral harmonic distortion.

2.7 Fractional open circuit voltage method (FOCV):

The value of Vmpp is almost equal to Voc under changing irradiance, temperature conditions,
and other conditions so it becomes easy to track MPP [6]. Vmpp of a solar cell is given by
equation (1),

Vmpp=KVoc (1)

The value of K lies between 0.71 to 0.78, and using the value of K and Voc, Vmpp can be
easily determined.

2.8 Fractional short circuit current method (FSCI):

In this method the FOCV method is considered in terms of current. Here, short circuit current
and current at MPP are related [6]. The relation is given by equation (2),

Impp=KIsc (2)

It is difficult to measure Isc during operation, so an additional switch is added to the

converter to short PV array periodically and measure Isc.

3 Comparison
3.1 Comparison of various Techniques
S. MPPT Variable Cost Dynamic Algorithm Hardware Steady Converter Sensors
n technique control Tracking Complexity Complexity Tracking Used
o paramete
r
1 Peturb and Two Expensi Reasonable Low Low Reasonable DC-DC V&I
observe ve
2 Incremental Two Expensi High High Low High DC-DC V&I
conductance ve
3 Artificial One Expensi High Medium Medium Medium AC and DC V
Neural ve
Network
4 Constant One Inexpen Reasonable Low Low Medium DC-DC V
Voltage sive
5 Fractional One Inexpen Medium Low Low Medium DC-DC V
open circuit sive
voltage
method
6 Fractional One Inexpen Medium Low Low Medium DC-DC I
short circuit sive
current
method

3.2 Comparison according to survey of different companies’ solar Panels

S.N Parameters Models

o Waree 330 Vikram 330 Tata 330
1 Pmax (W) 330 330 330
2 Vmp (V) 36.90 38.61 37.4
3 Imp (A) 8.95 8.56 8.83
4 Isc (A) 9.65 9.14 9.26
5 Voc(V) 45.50 46.4 45.1
6 Efficiency (%) 17.01 17.01 17.2

Pmax (Maximum Power), Vmp (Voltage at maximum power), Imp (Current at maximum
Power), Isc (Short circuit current), Voc (Open circuit Voltage)

As per above comparison table of solar panels which are crystal clear that solar panel of
different companies of 330 watt has varied their reading according to technology which are
used for it as well as efficiency became affected . In instance, Tata’s panel gives 17.2%
efficiency whereas other two companies’ panels are giving less efficiency as compare to
previous. This efficiency and other parameters are also affected by environmental conditions
such as shadow, weather problem, installation problems, when it install at site. Finally, that
problems are solved by use different MPPT techniques like P&O technique and others.

However, it cannot be turn a blind eye to the importance of these MPPT techniques to
improve the efficiency of solar panels by which save resources and environment because
solar system plays an indispensible role in everyone’s life.

4. CONCLUSION
The increasing trend in commercialisation, industrialization and other circumstances has
influenced to incline our passion for renewable energies just as solar energy. This paper
fulfils the demand of present need to attain maximum power of solar system with the help of
some techniques. The basic P&O algorithm is easy to implement but it is difficult to get the
accurate MPP due to oscillation. So there is requirement of some of modification in basic
P&O algorithm. Voltage and current are the sensed parameters in P&O and INC algorithm. In
FVOC algorithm only voltage is to be sensed also this technique is easy to implement but
having disadvantage of loss of power on the disconnection of load. The INC algorithm
having no oscillation like P&O and this technique can track MPP even under the sudden
change in atmospheric condition unlike P&O. The disadvantage of INC is its implementation
complexity, relatively large computational time and requires relatively more hardware, so this
technique used for large PV array. Finally, a compilation of various MPPT techniques on
the basis of control variable, cost, hardware complexity level, software complexity level,
sensors, study tracking, dynamic tracking and the type of converter used has been presented
in tabular form. This paper will serve as a reference paper for the future work in PV power
generation.

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