Maximum power tracking algorithm for single photovoltaic module without position sensors

Abstract

To address the issue of power utilization system redundancy in methods focusing solely on either module solar-tracking or electrical maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to enhance photovoltaic (PV) generation efficiency, the integration of PV module solar-tracking with inverter maximum power tracking is proposed to streamline the system. Combined with cost–performance analyses of single-axis and dual-axis solar-tracking, the surface characteristic relationship between the single-axis azimuth change of the module and the output voltage and output power is studied, and the output characteristic surface of the PV system is constructed. In this paper, a maximum power tracking algorithm without a position sensor on the output characteristic surface is designed, requiring only the acquisition of electrical parameters from the PV modules. Experimental comparison and analysis show that the algorithm effectively combines the azimuth tracking and the electrical maximum power tracking algorithm without a position sensor, and realizes the maximum power output of a single PV module. Under the condition of simulation settings, the output power of module is increased by 14.97–21.91%, and the daily power generation is increased by 20.42% on average under varying experimental weather conditions, providing a new idea for the effective utilization of solar energy by PV modules.