Novel maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm for solar tree application

Abstract

Renewable power plant has more advantageous over conventional power plant. Specifically, Solar energy is available everywhere, free of cost but challenge is to extract maximum power from the available energy. Solar cell is a non-linear source of electrical energy, hence various algorithms like Perturb & Observe, Incremental Conductance etc. are implemented using DC-DC converter to extract maximum power from it. These algorithms create oscillations in output. The proposed algorithm takes feedback of irradiance of sunlight and temperature to avoid oscillations. Internal resistance of the solar panel is depends on factors like temperature, irradiance etc. At a particular instant, internal resistance of solar panel is calculated by sensing irradiance and temperature values from sensor. On that operating condition, all dependent parameters of solar panel are calculated and internal resistance of solar panel is calculated. DC-DC converter transfers the load resistance to its input depending upon its duty cycle. The proposed control strategy will set the duty cycle of converter so as to match transferred load resistance with internal resistance of solar panel. Hence by the maximum power transfer theorem, maximum power will extracts from the solar panel when transferred load resistance is equal to the internal resistance. This condition is achieved by this proposed maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm. Control System is continuously monitoring irradiance and temperature, if there is change in it then only it will try to track MPPT. This paper discusses about the design, simulation and practical implementation of MPPT algorithm using DC-DC Converter.