A Simulation Analysis of MPPT Algorithm in

Photovoltaic System using Cuk Converter

Sachin P Jadhav, Dr. Sincy George, IEEE Member
Department of Electrical Engineering
Fr. C.R Institute of Technology
Sector 9A, Vashi, Navi Mumbai.

Abstract: In today’s power scenario, power generated by
conventional energy sources is not enough to meet the increasing
power demand. It has become necessary to utilize renewable
energy sources along with conventional energy sources to full fill
the increasing power demand. Solar energy is one of readily
available renewable energy source and it is non-polluting. Power
that can be produced from solar photovoltaic system depends
upon atmospheric conditions. However, power delivered by the
system depends on load connected to it. In order to extract
maximum power from solar cell, various maximum power point
tracking techniques (MPPT) are available. This paper uses
incremental conductance method to implement MPPT. Due to
low oscillations at MPP, this method is suitable for maximum
power point tracking under varying atmospheric conditions. A
DC-DC CUK converter is selected for tracking maximum
power. This paper includes converter design, simulation results
of standalone PV system with INC MPPT method.
Index Terms: DC-DC Cuk converter, Incremental
conductance method, Maximum power point tracking, Solar
photovoltaic system.
I. INTRODUCTION
In recent years conventional and non-conventional energy
sources are used to generate electricity. Conventional energy
sources uses fossil fuel, nuclear energy etc, whereas the non-
conventional energy sources produce power from solar
energy, geothermal energy, tidal energy, wind energy,
biomass energy etc. In conventional energy sources,
combustion of fossil creates pollution and also its availability
is limited. Due to effect of global warming and energy
exhaustion there is a wide applications of renewable energy
sources in today’s power scenario. At present, in India
2663.67 MW of power is generated by renewable energy
sources. Out of which 750.77MW of power is generated by
the solar system [1]. In solar system, Photovoltaic cells (solar
cell) are used to convert solar radiations into electrical
energy. Solar system can be a standalone or grid connected
system.
Solar cell V-I characteristics are nonlinear and power that
can be extracted from the solar cell changes with change in
temperature, insolations etc [2]. At particular irradiations and
temperature, output power varies with load connected to PV
system. To extract maximum power from the solar system
output resistance of solar cell to be controlled. This can be
obtained by using DC-DC converters.
The widely used DC-DC converters for such applications
are: Buck, Boost, Buck-boost, Sepic, Cuk and Zeta
converters. Each converter has its own characteristics. The
region of operation of each converter for maximum power
tracking (MPPT) is different. Few converters region of
operation is below the maximum power point (MPP) and
others are operating above the MPP. The converters such as
cuk, sepic, buck-boost are operating in both the regions.
Compared to other converters, Cuk converter has low losses
and it has the better voltage regulation. Also, it provides
capacitive isolation which protects against switch failure. In
grid connected solar photovoltaic system the cuk converter is
used to extract maximum power from solar cell. The output
of cuk voltage and current has less ripple contents as
compared to boost converter [3]. Because of its various
advantages, the cuk converter is used in this paper as the
interface between the solar cell and load [4].
There are large number of algorithms that are used to track
the maximum power point. In perturb and observe method,
the voltage and current are sensed and power is calculated.
Then the slope of the P-V curve is checked and duty cycle D
is changed in the appropriate direction so that the operating
point is reached at MPP. The advantage of this method is that
it is simple and low cost. Oscillations around the MPP is one
of the disadvantage of this method [5, 6]. Another method of
MPPT is the incremental conductance method (INC). In this
method the incremental conductance is matched with
instantaneous conductance and duty cycle is adjusted to track
the maximum power. This method is difficult to implement.
But the advantages of this method is that it does not oscillates
around MPP at different insolations and temperature [7]. This
paper proposes an INC method with direct duty cycle control
to extract maximum power from the solar cell. It also has high
efficiency than the boost converter.
The author Henry Shu-hung Chung, K. K. Tse, S. Y. Ron
Hui, C. M. Mok, and M. T. Ho, implemented novel MPPT
techniques for solar panel using cuk converter. This method
does not require complicated mathematical calculations,
microcontroller and digital signal processor. By modulating
the small signal perturbation in the duty cycle and compared
it with the maximum variation in the input voltage, the MPPT
is achieved [8].
This paper deals with complete analysis and
implementation of MPPT using cuk converter. Section II
describes the overview of standalone photovoltaic system.
The working principle of cuk converter is presented in section
III. The maximum power point tracking algorithm is
described in section IV. Section V deals with the simulation
results of MPPT system at constant and variable load and
different insolation levels. The conclusion is presented in
section VI.
II. OVERVIEW OF STANDALONE PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM
The standalone photovoltaic system is as shown in Fig 1.
The DC-DC converter is the heart of the MPPT system. DC-
DC converters helps in extracting maximum power from the
solar system and delivers to the load by adjusting the duty
cycle. Solar PV array consists of various cells which are
connected in parallel and series configuration. For high
voltage requirement the solar cells are connected in series
while for higher current requirement the solar cells are
connected in parallel.
Fig. 1 Standalone Photovoltaic System
Digital signal processor (DSP) is used to generate appropriate
PWM signals for driving cuk converter. The I-V
characteristic curve of the solar cell is shown in Fig 2.
Fig. 2 I-V characteristics of a solar cell
The I-V equation of the solar cell is given as [6],
𝑞𝑣
𝐼𝑠𝑐 = 𝐼0 (𝑒 𝑘𝑇 − 1) − 𝐼𝐿 (1)
Where 𝐼𝑠𝑐 and 𝑉𝑜𝑐 represents the short circuit current and
open circuit voltage respectively, k is the boltzmann constant,
q is the electron charge, T is the temperature of the solar cell,
𝐼𝐿 is the light generated current. 𝑃𝑚 in Fig 2 represent
maximum power, Vm and Im are the voltage and current of
corresponding to MPP of solar cell. R mpp represents the
effective impedance with respect to solar cell at the maximum
power point. Operating point of the system depends on the
output impedance (R i ) of the solar PV array. As load varies,
the operating point is also varies. To track the maximum
power from the system the 𝑅𝑖 of the solar panel should
always equal to R mpp . This can be achieved by controlling
the duty of the cuk converter.
III. WORKING PRINCIPLE OF CUK CONVERTER
The circuit diagram of cuk converter is shown in Fig 3. Cuk
converter can operating in continuous and discontinuous
conduction mode [9]. Continuous conduction mode of
operation of cuk converter is considered in this paper. It
consists of an inductor on its input and output sides, so that
the ripple contents at the input and output sides are relatively
low. The capacitor C1 is the main component that transfers
the energy to the load and it provides electrical isolation
between input and output side.
Fig. 3.Equivalent circuit of Cuk converter
Basically the cuk converter is operated in two modes.
Mode 1- When the switch is on: The equivalent circuit
diagram of cuk converter during on state is shown in Fig 4.
During mode 1, current flowing to the inductor L1 increases
and the capacitor C1 discharges its energy to the
load through C2− L2− C1 . The voltage across the inductor
L1 and L2 is given by,
VL1 = Vin (2)
VL2 = −Vc1 − Vc2 (3)
Fig. 4 Equivalent circuit of cuk converter in mode 1
where, VL1 and VL2 are the voltages across the inductor L1
and L2 respectively, V𝑖𝑛 is the supply voltage, Vc1 and Vc2
are the voltages across the capacitors C1 and C2 respectively.
The current flowing through the capacitor C1 and C2 is given
by:
Ic1 = I0 (4)
V0
Ic2 = I2 − R
(5)
where, Ic1 and Ic2 are the currents flowing through the
capacitors C1 and C2 respectively. 𝐼0 is the output current,
V0 is the output voltage and R is the resistive load of
converter.
Mode 2- When the switch is off: The equivalent circuit
diagram of cuk converter is shown in Fig 5. When the switch
of the converter is off, the capacitor C1 starts charging
through input supply and L2 discharges its energy to the load.
 Fig. 5 Equivalent circuit of cuk converter in mode 2
Fig 6. Implementation of MPPT using dc-dc converter
The voltage across the inductor L1 and L2 is given by,
At MPP,
VL2 = −Vc1 − Vc2 (6) dP d(V×I) dI dV
= =V +I =0 (13)
dV dV dV dI
VL2 = −V0 (7)
dI
V +I=0 (14)
dV
The current flowing through the capacitor C1 and C2 is given
by,
If the operating point is at the MPP then,
Ic1 = Ic2 (8) dI I
=− (15)
dV V
V0
Ic2 = I2 − (9)
R Thus when the incremental conductance is equal to the
instantaneous conductance, the maximum power point is
The ratio of output voltage to the input voltage with respect
achieved [6].
to D of the converter is given by,

V0 D
If the operating point is at the left side of the MPP, then
= − ((1−D)) (10)
Vin
dI I
>− (16)
dV V
Iin D
= − ((1−D)) (11)
I0
If operating point is at the right side if the MPP, then
From eqn. (10) and (11), dI I
<− (17)
dV V
1
D= R
(12)
1+√ i The flowchart for INC method of MPPT is shown in Fig 7.
RL

From equation (12), it is clear that R i can be controlled by

adjusting D which help in maximum power point tracking.

IV. MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING TECHNIQUE

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) can be
implemented by direct duty cycle control or using PI
controller. In case of direct duty cycle control the PI control
loop is eliminated and duty cycle is adjusted according to load
variations and various changing atmospheric conditions. This
method eliminates the use of PI controller [9]. The PI
controller is specifically used to make the error zero. Fig 6
shows solar panel connected to Cuk converter. By sensing V
and I, duty cycle of converter can be find out using INC
method.
In incremental conductance method, MPP is achieved by
dI
matching the incremental conductance with the
dV
I
instantaneous conductance . Where I and V are the current
V
and voltage of the solar module.

Fig. 7 Flow chart of INC MPPT Algorithm

 V. SIMULATION RESULTS hence efficiency of the solar cell will be less. The voltage
A Matlab model of standalone photovoltaic system with and current values at constant insolation (1000W/m2 ) with
MPPT by using cuk converter is shown in Fig 8. various loads are shown in Table III.
TABLE III. SIMULATION RESULTS OF SOLAR POWER AT
DIFFERENT LOAD CONDITIONS WITHOUT MPPT
Voltage(V) Current(A) Power Resistance
(W) 𝑹𝑳 (Ω)
0.00 5.00 0.00 Short circuit
9.16 4.58 42.00 2
13.64 4.54 62.02 3
17.10 4.27 73.10 4
19.43 3.23 62.93 6
20.14 2.51 50.73 8
20.50 2.05 42.01 10
20.71 1.72 35.74 12
20.84 1.48 31.05 14
Fig 8. MATLAB/SIMULINK model of solar system with MPPT using
CUK converter 20.97 1.16 24.44 18
21.00 1.05 22.05 20
The ASM-12075A solar model is considered for analysis of 21.0.2 0.95 20.09 22
MPPT. The ratings of solar panel according to standard test 21.10 0.60 12.72 35
conditions are given in Table I. A load of 55W is considered 21.14 0.45 8.93 50
for analysis. The designed parameters of cuk converter for 21.23 0.00 0.00 Open circuit
maximum power point tracking are given in Table II.
The V-I and P-V characteristics using Table III data are
TABLE I. ELECTRICAL PARAMETERS OF MODULE ASM-12075A shown in Fig 9. Operating point of solar panel at various load
Open circuit voltage (Voc) 21 V conditions is marked. It is seen that as load varies operating
Short circuit current (Isc) 5A point’s changes. At a load of 4Ω, maximum power of 73.1W
Maximum Voltage(Vm) 16.4 V is extracted from solar panel. At other loads, operating point
Maximum current(Im) 4.57 A moves away from MPP. To extract maximum power at any
Maximum Power (Pm) 75 W load 𝑅𝑖 should be equal to 4Ω. By varying duty cycle of
Series connected cells 36 converter, it is possible to make 𝑅𝑖 =4Ω at any load condition.
Parallel connected cells 1
TABLE II. DESIGNED VALUES OF CUK CONVERTER
Parameters Value
Input voltage 18 V
Output voltage 28V
Inductor L1 4.6mH
Inductor L2 5mH
Capacitor C1 46uF
Capacitor C2 47uF
Switching frequency 10kHz

The solar panel output voltage and current is sensed and (a)
MPPT program is developed using embedded matlab
function.
The following analysis is done in Matlab simulation software.
Case 1: Variation of operating point of solar panel at constant
insolation with load changes without MPPT
Case 2: Variation of operating point of solar panel at constant
insolation with load changes with MPPT
Case 3: Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) at different
isolations with constant load

Case 1: Variation of operating point of solar panel at

constant insolation with load changes without MPPT
The operating point of the solar cell changes with the load.
When the solar cell is connected to the variable load, its
operating point varies depending upon the load connected to (b)
Fig 9. Characteristics at various load conditions without MPPT (a) I-V
it. It will not extract maximum power from the solar cell and curve (b) P-V curve
Case 2: Variation of operating point of solar panel at power, voltage and currents from solar cell for these
constant insolation with load changes with MPPT radiations are shown in Fig 11. Fig 11 shows that the duty
In order to extract the maximum power, the solar cell is cycle is adjusted and it is tracking maximum power from the
connected to the load through Cuk converter. At constant solar cell at different insolation. It is found that the current of
solar radiations, with variable load conditions, the maximum solar cell changes from 4.3A to 2.99A with insolation
power extracted by the solar module are given in Table IV. changes from 1000W/ m2 to 600W/ m2 , however, voltage
Table IV shows that at various load conditions the power remains constant at around 17V. Fig 12 shows the output
extracted by the solar cell is maximum. current and output voltage of cuk converter
TABLE IV. MAXIMUM POWER EXTRACTED BY SOLAR CELL AT
VARIOUS LOADS WITH MPPT
Voltage Current Power Resistance Duty
(V) (I) (W) 𝑹𝑳 (Ω) cycle
16.8 4.3 72.24 2 0.43
16.7 4.3 72.01 3 0.47
16.3 4.5 73.35 4 0.50
16.8 4.3 72.86 5 0.52
16.8 4.3 72.73 6 0.54
16.7 4.3 72.73 8 0.58
16.8 4.31 72.83 10 0.6
16.8 4.31 72.83 12 0.62
Fig. 11. Waveforms of (a) Input power, voltage and current of solar module

The waveforms of input power, input voltage, input current

of the solar cell, output voltage and output current of the cuk
converter at 1000W/m2 are shown in Fig 10. Fig (a) shows
maximum power is extracted by the solar cell is around
73.25W. It is seen that output voltage of the cuk converter is
same as designed value of 28 V and current of 2.8 A.

Fig. 12. Waveforms of (a) output voltage and current of cuk converter

The maximum power tracking by cuk converter with

variation of insolation is shown in Fig 13. From Fig 13, it is
clear that at 1000 W/𝑚2 the power is fluctuating between
(a)
points A-A’. When inoslations changes from 1000W/m2 to
600W/m2 , the duty cycle is adjusted in such a way that the
operating point of the solar cell moves between B-B’. When
solar insolations are changes from 1000W/m2 to 600W/m2
the duty cycle is increased and operating point moves to again
at point A.

(b)
Fig. 10 Waveforms of (a) Input power, Input voltage, Input current (b)
Output voltage, current of cuk converter

Case 3: Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) at

different isolations with constant load
A constant load of 10Ω is considered and MPPT is tested for
two different insolation conditions of 1000W/ m2 and
600W/m2 . The maximum power from solar cell at above
Fig 13. Maximum power tracking from solar cell at different insolations
insolations are 73.35W and 47W respectively. The results of
 VI. CONCLUSION
A detailed analysis of performance of solar PV system with
without MPPT is carried out. Also its performance under
variable insolation and load condition is analyzed.
Incremental conductance method with direct duty ratio
techniques is used for implementing the INC MPPT
algorithm in standalone PV system. It is found that using cuk
converter it is possible to extract maximum power when the
load characteristic is away from MPP. When insolation
changes from 1000W/m2 to 600W/m2 , the system is capable
of tracking maximum power very efficiently. The simulation
results on 75Wp solar system gives satisfactory results under
steady state and transient conditions.

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