Hamdard University, Karachi Campus

Faculty of Engineering

Course: Advance Power Electronics

Assignment No. 1

Submitted by :Atiq ur Rehman

Student Id: 356-2019

Program : M.E. Power Eng (1st Semester)

 Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) in Solar Photovoltaic System
Introduction:

I have gone through different research journals and took the part of Maximum Power Point
Tracking in Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system. I have studied the different schemes and topologies
to enhance the efficiency of Solar systems in terms of MPPT. MPPT is basically a DC-DC Chopper
circuit and also termed as a Charge Controller. It is very useful to enhance the efficiency of Solar
system during invariable conditions of Sun heat. Other benefit of the system is to supply a
constant voltage to the consumers throughout the period of time. In this method controller try
to adjust and attain the maximum level of Power until it gives the constant output power. Also
in this method source impedance can be matched with load impedance to get more power
transfer.

Maximum Power Point Tracking Method:

There are many techniques to achieve the maximum power point tracking through Solar PV
system, some are given below:

1. Perturb & Observe method

This method is very simple and can be implemented by one sensor (Voltage sensor)
which will be connected to output of PV panel to sense the output voltage of the panel.
The disadvantage of this method is its accuracy that due to disturbance of radiation and
winds up its maximum power point also may change.
2. Neural Networks
The neural networks divided into three layers which are input, output and hidden. To
model the MPPT input variables will be open circuit voltage Voc and Short Circuit
Current Isc with weather conditions and sun irradiance.
3. Fuzzy logic
The controller output will be in linguistic form where one can estimate the maximum
power point. PV Characteristics will be modeled as a fuzzy input variable to develop the
logic.
4. Incremental Conductance method
In this method we will use two current sensors to measure the current and two voltage
sensors to measure the output voltage of the PV array. The disadvantage of this method
that cost for implementation will increase as well as the complexity of the system.
5. Fractional Short Circuit Current
In this method current at maximum power point tracking linearly increase with short
circuit current of PV panel. For this method we have to add a switch in power converter
which periodically shorts the array so that current sensor may measure the current.
 6. Fractional Open Circuit Voltage
In this method the maximum power point tracking will be estimated by using the linear
relationship between maximum power point voltage and open circuit voltage of the
photovoltaic system.

Different MPPT techniques implementation Comparison with their Characteristics:

Characteristics
Techniques used
S.No.
for MPPT Implementation Periodic Convergenc Sensed
Complexity Tunning e Speed Parameters
1 Neural Networks High Yes Fast Varies
2 Fuzzy Logic control High Yes Fast Varies
3 Perturb & Observe Low No Varies Voltage
4 Fractional Voc Low Yes Medium Voltage
5 Fractional Isc Medium Yes Medium Current
Incremental
6 Medium No Varies Voltgae & Current
Conductance

Conclusion:

In this paper different techniques to achieve Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) are
discussed and during implementation their complexity level, fine tuning of the system,
response time and controlling parameters defined.