2016 International Conference on Control, Computing, Communication and Materials (ICCCCM)

Performance and simulation between conventional

and improved perturb & observe MPPT algorithm
for solar PV cell using MATLAB/simulink
Akhil Nigam, Abhishek Kumar Gupta
Electrical Engineering, IFTM University
Moradabad, UP, India

Abstract— Among the renewable energy sources, the energy

obtained by the photovoltaic effects is to be considered the most
sustainable energy source using Photovoltaic (PV) cell because
of its affluence and pervasiveness. Basically the use of PV cells
in solar energy generation are widely used because they
directly convert the sun’s light into electrical energy. The main
drawback is that the solar radiation changes with time to time.
So there are many maximum power point tracking algorithms
to track maximum power point. One of the most widely used
algorithm is perturb and observe algorithm. It has advantage Fig.1 Equivalent circuit of solar PV cell
of less complexity and less maintenance. But the problem is
that this algorithm cannot perform due to sudden change in The basic equation for solar PV cell is given by-
temperature and solar irradiance. Therefore there is an , * ( ) + - ( )
algorithm which is called improved perturb and observe or
variable step size algorithm which overcomes the drawbacks of Where,
conventional perturb and observe algorithm. This algorithm
has better efficiency and faster response rather than
IL= light generated current source
conventional perturb and observe algorithm. All the Io= reverse saturation current
simulations are done by using MATLAB/SIMULINK. q= electric charge
Keywords— Photovoltaic Module, Maximum Power Point Rs= series resistance
Tracking, Perturb & Observe Algorithm, DC-DC converters, a = diode ideality factor
MATLAB. T= temperature °C
Rsh= shunt resistance
I. INTRODUCTION
The demand of renewable energy sources is increasing III. PERTURB AND OBSERVE ALGORITHM
day by day. Due to the electricity problems, the utilization of Perturb and observe algorithm is also called hill
renewable energy sources has been increased [10]. Solar climbing method. In this algorithm the MPPT method is
energy such as renewable energy is the direct energy based on the calculation of output power. In this algorithm
conversion from the sunlight. This conversion can be done the perturbation leads to change in the output power of
by the photovoltaic system. The solar energy tracking
system. If perturbation increases towards the maximum
technique helps in increasing the intensity of light falling on
power point then voltage must be increased. And if
the solar PV panel. Thus in order to extract large amount of
power, maximum power point tracking method is described perturbation decreases away from the maximum power point
here. So in a photovoltaic system the load can achieve then the voltage must be decreased. With this the duty cycle
maximum power when the load resistance is equal to internal is also changed and this process continues until the maximum
resistance. Based on this phenomenon, the maximum output power point has reached [11].
power can be obtained by adjusting the duty cycle of dc to dc
converter.
II. EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT OF SOLAR PV CELL
The equivalent circuit of solar PV cell is shown in fig.1
in which a light emitted source is connected in parallel with
a combination of a single diode and shunt resistance Rsh [8].
Then it is connected in series with a series resistance Rs.
From fig.1.
Iph = photo emitted current source
ID= diode current
Ish= shunt current
Rsh= shunt resistance
Rs= series resistance Fig.2 Flowchart of conventional P&O algorithm

Figure 2 shows the flowchart of perturb and observe

algorithm. Firstly we determine the value of V(n) and I(n).

978-1-4673-9084-2/16/$31.00 ©2016 IEEE

2016 International Conference on Control, Computing, Communication and Materials (ICCCCM)

Then after finding power, we check the slope dP/dV at three TABLE I. LIST OF SYSTEM PARAMETERS
different conditions.
S. No. Parameter Value
If slope dP/dV= 0 at MPP 1. A 1.6
If slope dP/dV>0, at left of MPP 2. VMPP 13.6 volt
If slope dP/dV<0, at right of MPP 3. IMPP 2.2 A
4. Voc 17.2 volt
IV. IMPROVED PERTURB AND OBSERVE ALGORITHM 5. Isc 2.5 A
6. Pmax 31.17 W
In perturb and observe algorithm we find that the after 7. Ns 36
reaching at maximum power point, the system oscillates
around it and results in reducing efficiency. Therefore an
improved perturb and observe algorithm reduces the
drawbacks of conventional perturb and observe algorithm
and improves efficiency. In this algorithm we determine an
additional measurement of power at midpoint of control
period [13].

Fig.4 Characteristics of power for conventional P&O algorithm

Fig.5 Characteristics of power for improved P&O algorithm

Fig.3 Flowchart of improved P&O algorithm TABLE II.

We have three different equations such as:- S. NO. Irradiance(W/m )2

(W) (W)
dP1 = P(n) – P(n-0.5) (1) (Conventional P&O ) (Improved P&O)
dP0.5 = P(n-0.5) – P(n-1) (2) 1. 650 19.3 19.33
dP = dP0.5 – dP1 (3) 2. 1000 27.66 28.93

V. SIMULATION RESULTS 3. 750 21.48 21.97

Now we will discuss about the simulation results of 4. 800 22.61 23.24
both conventional and improved perturb and observe 5. 700 20.32 20.69
algorithms. The simulation results show the performance of 6. 850 23.95 24.73
power, current and voltage at different irradiance level
respectively.
The table I below shows the system parameters which
gives the values of different parameters such as ideality
factor, voltage at MPP (VMPP), current at MPP (IMPP), open
circuit voltage (Voc), short circuit current (Isc), number of
cells (Ns).
As it can be observed from the table II that the values
of power at different irradiance levels for both conventional
and improved P&O algorithm are shown.

Fig.6 Characteristics of current for conventional P&O algorithm

2016 International Conference on Control, Computing, Communication and Materials (ICCCCM)

TABLE IV.

(V)
S. NO. Irradiance(W/m2) (Conventional P&O (V)
(Improved P&O)
)
1. 650 14.09 14.25
2. 1000 15.79 15.88
3. 750 14.83 14.97
4. 800 15.1 15.22
5. 700 14.58 14.73
6. 850 15.33 15.4
Fig.7 Characteristics of current for improved P&O algorithm
VI. CONCLUSION
TABLE III. From above simulation results we can see that the
average and maximum power of improved P&O algorithm
Irradiance(W/m2 (A) (A) are higher than conventional P&O algorithm. So the
S. NO.
) (Conventional P&O ) (Improved P&O) improved P&O algorithm has higher efficiency and fast
1. 650 1.413 1.463 tracking response than conventional P&O algorithm.
2. 1000 1.822 1.94
3. 750 1.49 1.59 ACKNOWLEDGMENT
4. 800 1.544 1.611 I would like to thank Dr. G.K. Banerjee, Head of
5. 700 1.439 1.491 Electrical Engineering Department, IFTM University,
6. 850 1.62 1.7 Moradabad for helping us to complete this research work.
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