Study of Different Implementation Approaches for a Maximum Power Point Tracker

Abstract

This paper studies the design of a maximum power point tracker (MPPT) for low power portable solar array applications. The discussion will compare different digital and mixed signal implementation approaches of the same perturb and observe algorithm, in particular: simple P&O algorithm on the duty cycle, P&O algorithm using an analog inner voltage control loop and finally using a digital voltage control loop programmed into the micro controller. This research shows that the method of implementation (analog, digital) has an influence on the robustness of the MPPT particularly in suddenly changing illumination conditions