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Design of a MPPT Solar Charge Controller in Matlab-Simulink GUI

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 International Conference on Mechanical Engineering and Applied Science (ICMEAS), 22-23 February, 2017, MIST, Dhaka

Design of a MPPT Solar Charge Controller in

Matlab-Simulink GUI Environment
Md. Rokonuzzaman1, Mahmuda Khatun Mishu2, Md Hossam-E-Haider3 and Md. Shamimul Islam4
1,3
Department of Electrical, Electronic and Communication Engineering (EECE)
2,4
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
1,3
Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), Mirpur Cantonment, Dhaka-1216
2,4
University of Information Technology and Sciences, Baridhara, Dhaka-1212
1
ragib_isme@yahoo.com

Abstract—In this paper a simulation model of perturb and
observe (P&O) based maximum power point tracking (MPPT)
controller has been developed. The controller consists of
maximum power point (MPP) tracker and the optimal control
unit. This proposed tracker estimates the voltages and currents
corresponding to a maximum power delivered by solar
photovoltaic (PV) array for variable irradiance and cell
temperature. The cell temperature is considered as a function of
ambient air temperature, wind speed and solar radiation. The
accuracy of the MPP tracker has been validated by employing
different test data sets. The control unit uses the estimates of the
MPP tracker to adjust the duty cycle of the buck-boost converter
to optimum value needed for tracking maximum power and
transfer to the load.
Keywords—mppt controller; solar charge controller; perturb
and observe algorithm; MATLAB/SIMULINK
SIMULINK model blocks for each component of the PV
system can be gathered in a library. In this thesis, the library
contains model blocks for a PV module, a MPPT controller, a
Buck-Boost converter and a battery.
II. ELECTRIC MODEL OF PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL
During darkness, the solar cell is not an active device. Cells
work like a normal diode, i.e. a p-n junction. It produces
neither a current nor a voltage. However, if it is connected to
an external supply current 𝐼𝑆 , diode current, 𝐼𝐷 will be
present. A solar cell is usually represented by an electrical
equivalent one-diode model with a series resistance, 𝑅𝑆 as
shown in Fig. 1.
RS

I. INTRODUCTION iD Isa
This paper presents the mathematical models of the IS Vsa
components of PV module, MPPT control unit, and Buck-
Boost converter, to implement a simulation based MPPT solar
charge controller. This controller is implemented in MATLAB
R2008a, Version-7.6 environment. MATLAB software and its
facilities are used to design the proposed electric models of Fig. 1 Solar cell electrical equivalent model
solar MPPT charge controller. With this software, it is possible
to characterize the MPPT algorithm and to obtain an estimate The model contains a current source 𝐼𝑠 , one diode and a series
charging time for the battery.
resistor 𝑅𝑆 . The net current 𝐼𝑠𝑎 is the Difference between the
Simulation program SIMULINK provides a graphical photocurrent 𝐼𝑠𝑐 and the normal diode current 𝐼𝐷 . The diode
interface to build any specific models as a block diagrams. It current is given by Equation (1)
offers the advantage of building hierarchical models, namely 𝑉𝑠𝑎 +(𝑅𝑠 ×𝑖𝑠𝑎 )
presenting the possibility to view the system at different levels. 𝐼𝐷 = 𝐼0 × 𝑒 𝑚 𝑉𝑇 −1 (1)
This presents the advantage that the models can easily be
Where,
connected together in order to simulate a system. Such models
are also very useful to optimize the components of the PV 𝐼𝑜 = 𝐷𝑖𝑜𝑑𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡
system. 𝑚 = 𝐷𝑖𝑜𝑑𝑒 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝑁 𝐾𝑇
𝑉𝑇 = 𝑠𝑞 = 𝑇𝑕𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑦 (2)
Each of the power electronic models represents subsystems
within the simulation environment. These blocks have been 𝑁𝑠 = 𝐶𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠
developed so they can be interconnected in a consistent and 𝑇 = 𝑇𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑝𝑛 𝑗𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
simple manner for the construction of complex systems [1]. 𝐾 = 𝐵𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑧𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 = 1.38 × 10−23 𝐽/𝐾
The subsystems are masked, meaning that the user interface
displays only the complete subsystem, and user prompts gather 𝑇 = 𝑇𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑝𝑛 𝑗𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
parameters for the entire subsystem. Relevant parameters can 𝑇 = 0℃ = 273.16 𝐾
be set by double-clicking a mouse or pointer on each 𝑞 = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛 𝑐𝑕𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 = 1.6 × 10−19 𝐶
subsystem block, then entering the appropriate values in the 𝑅𝑆 = 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑦
resulting dialogue window [2]-[4]. For practical use, the

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 International Conference on Mechanical Engineering and Applied Science (ICMEAS), 22-23 February, 2017, MIST, Dhaka
The net current, 𝑖𝑠𝑎 is given by Equation (3), In this simulation short circuit current coefficient 0.003 are
𝑉 𝑠𝑎 +(𝑅 𝑠 ×𝑖 𝑠𝑎 ) taken.
𝑖𝑠𝑎 = 𝐼𝑠 − 𝐼0 × 𝑒 𝑚 𝑉𝑇 −1 (3)
e. Cells series number
Taking into account the model for a single solar cell, it is A bulk silicon PV module consists of multiple individual solar
possible to determine the I-V characteristic of M cells in cells connected, nearly always in series, to increase the power
parallel and N cells in series: and voltage above that from a single solar cell. In this
𝐼𝑠 −𝑖𝑠𝑎 Simulation module, 36 cells are connected in series to produce
𝑉𝑠𝑎 = 𝛾 × 𝑉𝑇 × 𝑙𝑛 + 1 − (𝑅𝑠 × 𝑖𝑠𝑎 ) (4)
𝑀×𝐼0 a voltage sufficient to charge a 12V battery.
Where,
𝛾 =𝑚×𝑁
For the used PV panel M = 1, N =36 and it is assumed m = 1.

III. PV MODULE MODELING

A. PV Module Block
In accordance with Equation (4) deducted above, It is
possible to build the block of the solar panel. It represents the
detailed SIMULINK implementation of the mathematical
model of the PV module and allows simulating the nonlinear I-
V and P-V characteristic. The implicit function of the I-V
characteristic of the solar module can be easily solved by this
block. First part of Fig. 3 represents the PV module blocks.
This block has three inputs and one output. Voltage, solar
irradiance and cell temperature are the inputs and current is the
output of this block. Second part of Fig. 3 shows the function
block parameter of the PV module blocks. Block set are used to
design this module are described below [5].
a. Ideal factor
From ideal diode equation,
qV
𝐼 = 𝐼𝐿 − 𝐼0 exp −1 (5)
nkT

The ideality factor of a diode is a measure of how closely

the diode follows the ideal diode equation. In this simulation
inputted ideal factor is 1.3.
b. Open circuit voltage
The open-circuit voltage 𝑉𝑜𝑐 is the maximum voltage
available from a solar cell, and this occurs at zero current. In
this simulation the open-circuit voltage is 19.7V are taken from
the specification sheet of KYOCERA PV Module: SM-85KSM
Model.
c. Short circuit current
The short-circuit current 𝐼𝑠𝑐 is the current through the solar
cell when the voltage across the solar cell is zero. In this
simulation the short-circuit current is 5.90A are taken from the
solar panel specification sheet.
d. Short circuit current temperature coefficient
The short circuit current, 𝐼𝑠𝑐 increases slightly with
temperature, since the band gap energy, EG, decreases.
However, this is a small effect and the temperature dependence
of the short-circuit current from a silicon solar cell is:
1 𝑑𝐼𝑠𝑐
≈ 0.0006 𝑝𝑒𝑟 ℃ 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑆𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑜𝑛 (6)
𝐼𝑠𝑐 𝑑𝑇
Fig. 3 Function block parameters of PV Module: SM-85KSM
f. Cells parallel number
Modules are paralleled in large arrays so the mismatch
usually applies at a module level rather than at a cell level. In
small modules the cells are placed in series so parallel cell
number is 1.
g. Reference temperature
Most semiconductor modeling is done at 300 K since it is
close to room temperature and a convenient number. However,
solar cells are typically measured almost 2 degrees lower at 25
°C (298.15 K).
B. Subsystem of PV Module
Analyzing Fig. 4 it is possible to detect a transfer function.
Saturation and delay functions are introduced to limit the fast
response of the “controlled voltage source”, as well as to
improve convergence. The other variables are directly
obtain/calculated from the PV datasheet.
The value of 𝐼𝑠𝑐 is imposed on this process in order to limit
the complexity of this block, its value is taken from the PV

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 International Conference on Mechanical Engineering and Applied Science (ICMEAS), 22-23 February, 2017, MIST, Dhaka
datasheet and is equal to 𝐼𝑠𝑐 = 5.90𝐴. Solar irradiance is taken The percentage (%) of the rated capacity extracted from the
maximum 1000 W/m2, Boltzmann constant, 𝐾 = 1.38 × battery until the voltage drops under the nominal voltage. This
10−23 𝐽/𝐾. Thus, applying Equation (4), it is possible to obtain value should be between 0% and 100%.
the voltage characteristic of the solar panel that allows the
g. Exponential Zone
simulation.
The voltage zone that should lies between nominal voltage
and full charged voltage.

Fig. 4 Subsystem implementation of generalized PV Module: SM-85KSM

IV. BATTERY MODELING

Fig. 5 represents dialog box of a 12V, 100Ah Lead-Acid
battery and also illustrates block parameters of this battery.
Block sets consist some parameters are briefly discuss below
[6].
a. Battery Type
In this section, a set of predetermined charge behavior for
four types of battery such as Lead-Acid, Lithium-Ion, Nickel-
Cadmium, and Nickel-Metal-Hydride are provided. Among
them, Lead-Acid is chosen. Fig. 5 Dialog box and block parameters of 12V, 100Ah lead-acid battery
b. Rated Capacity (Ah) h. Units
The rated capacity in ampere-hour is the minimum effective In this section, a set of predetermined unit is available for
capacity of the battery. The maximum theoretical capacity two types. One is Time and another is Ampere-hour.
(when the voltage crosses 0 volts) is generally equal to 105%
of the rated capacity. The rated capacity of this battery is in 100
Ampere-hour (Ah).
c. Initial State-of-Charge (SOC)
This parameter is used as an initial condition for the
simulation and does not affect the discharge curve. 100%
indicates a fully charged battery and 0% indicates an empty
battery. 65% means it will start charging from this charge level
of battery.
d. Full Charge Voltage
The voltage factor (% of the nominal voltage)
corresponding to the fully charged voltage, for a given nominal
discharge current.
e. Internal Resistance (Ohms)
The resistance is supposed to be constant during the charge
and the discharge cycles and does not vary with the amplitude
of the current.
f. Capacity @ Nominal Voltage

Fig. 3.7 Subsystem implementation of buck-boost converter

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 International Conference on Mechanical Engineering and Applied Science (ICMEAS), 22-23 February, 2017, MIST, Dhaka
V. BUCK-BOOST CONVERTER MODELING represents the total discharge of the battery, when the voltage
Fig. 3.6 shows the dialog box and subsystem of a buck- drops rapidly.
boost converter. For each converter to verity it’s working in
open loop configuration trigger pulses have been derived using
a repeating sequence generator and duty cycle block. Function
block compares the duty cycle and saw tooth from repeating
sequence-derived trigger pulses are connected as an input to the
switch control. Hence inputs for the masked subsystem are
duty ratio and input voltage, and the outputs are chosen to be
inductor current, capacitor voltage, and output voltage. When
double-clicking the pointer on the masked subsystem of first
Fig. of dialog box, then it enters parameter values of the
switching converter circuit in a subsystem of buck-boost
converter in second figure. In this simulation
SimPowerSystems library is used and created a buck-boost Fig. 3.8 Dialog box and simulation unit of MPPT block
converter. The input of the subsystem is connected to the solar
panel block and output to a battery. MOSFET used for
switching operations.

VI. MPPT MODELING

MPPT block is the most important part of the MPPT based
PV system. In this paper duty cycle of the buck-boost
converter is controlled by Perturb and Observe (P&O)
algorithm to track the MPP of the solar panel. Duty cycle, D
is calculated and converted to digital pulses using repeating
sequence, sum and compare to zero block. The PWM
frequency was selected to be 20 KHz. Fig. 3.8 shows the
MPPT block, consisting three inputs and one output of duty
cycle, D and also represents the MPPT unit with repeating Fig. 3.9 Subsystem implementation of P&O MPPT block
sequence, sum, comparison block to zero and a duty cycle
monitoring display. Fig. 3.9 shows the implemented
subsystem for MPPT block. Embedded MATLAB function
unit designed based on perturb and observe (P&O) algorithm.
Initial value of duty cycle is 0.45, Upper limit of duty cycle,
D is 0.55 and Changed value of duty cycle ∆𝐷 = 0.005.
VII. SIMULINK MODEL OF MPPT CHARGE CONTROLLER
The simulated complete circuit involving the PV array,
charge controller and battery is illustrated in Fig. 3.10. All the
blocks described above are connecting together to design full
MPPT based solar charge controller system. This system
includes, PV module block, converter with battery block and
MPPT block. The output of the solar panel block is the panel
Fig. 3.10 Proposed MPPT based solar charge controller system in
current and is connected to the input of the buck-boost MATLAB/SIMULINK environment
converter. The converter with battery block gives panel voltage
(𝑉𝑖𝑛 ), Load voltage (𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 ) and current (𝐼𝑜𝑢𝑡 ) as the output. Fig. 3.12 shows scope waveforms of buck boost converter.
Panel voltage is input of the solar panel block. The MPPT First plot shows the output voltage of the converter. The
block generates duty cycle, D as the output which controls the performance of the system is measured with the time of 1
converter block. Solar irradiance and cell temperature profile
minute. The simulation output between the voltage multiplier
are given as input to the solar panel.
output voltage in volts and the time in minutes. At the half of
VIII. SIMULATION RESULTS 0.1 second, output voltage of the converter reaches 17.6V. At
the time of 0.1 second, the output voltage reaches 16V and
A typical discharge curve is composed of three sections, as
attains the constant value. Second plot shows the output
shown in the Fig. 3.11. The first section, yellow marked circle
current. At the quarter of 0.1 second time the current was
on the plot represents the exponential voltage drop when the
maximum, more than 3.5A and after crossing of 0.1 second
battery is charged. Depending on the battery type, this area is
time current attains to be constant at 2.25A. Third plot shows
more or less wide. The second section represents the charge
the battery level charging voltage. The limit of high voltage
that can be extracted from the battery until the voltage drops
disconnect is 13.5V and this converter is providing constant
below the battery nominal voltage. Finally, the third section
13.4V to the battery as charging voltage. Fig. 3.13 shows the

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 International Conference on Mechanical Engineering and Applied Science (ICMEAS), 22-23 February, 2017, MIST, Dhaka
Fig. 3.11 Discharge characteristics of lead-acid battery
Fig. 3.12 Scope wave forms of buck-boost converter
Fig. 3.13 Scope wave forms of MPPT based solar charge controller circuit
Fig. 3.14 Scope wave forms of extracting power from PV panel
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output of MPPT charge controller as wave forms. First plot
shows the panel voltage, indicated as 𝑉𝑖𝑛 . At the time of 0.01
second the voltage of the solar panel was 19.9V and this
voltage decreases almost linearly to 17V at the time of 0.3
seconds. At the time period of 0.3 seconds to 0.38 seconds
panel voltage was very non linear and some moments around
0.4 second panel provides stable voltage of 18V. At 0.43
seconds panel provides unstable voltages again. Second plot
shows generated current from PV panel. This plot shows that
current is proportionally increases or decreases with respect to
the panel voltage. Third plot shows the generated power from
the panel using MPPT control method. Finally, fourth plot
shows the charging current of the battery. Comparing second
and fourth plot, it’s clear that charging current is higher than
the input current. That means, MPPT techniques working
efficiently and extracted maximum power from the panel. Fig.
3.14 shows the generating power after using MPPT control
techniques. It shows that the maximum extracted power from
the panel is 68W in a certain time of 0.3 m seconds. This
simulation runs for 0.5 minutes.
IX. CONCLUSION
This paper establishes MATLAB/SIMULINK based
simulation model to design a MPPT solar charge controller
for photovoltaic standalone system. The proposed model
introduces a generalized structure so that it can be used for
PV system as well as wind, fuel cells and small hydro system.
The model is simulated connecting three different part of PV
system: PV panel, charge controller and a 12V lead-acid
battery. Possible feature also included to get ac voltage by
interfacing an inverter as well as national grid. Therefore the
model proposed here can be considered as a part of
distributed power generation systems.
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