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The new MPPT algorithm using ANN-based PV

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DOI: 10.1109/IFOST.2010.5668004

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IFOST 2010 Proceedings

The New MPPT Algorithm using ANN-Based PV

Phan Quoc Dzung
HCMC University of Technology
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
pqdung@hcmut.edu.vn
Le Minh Phuong
HCMC University of Technology
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
lmphuong@hcmut.edu.vn
Le DinhKhoa Hong Hee Lee
HCMC University of Technology School of Electrical Engineering,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam University ofUlsan, Ulsan, Korea
khoaledinh@hcmut.edu.vn hhlee@mail.ulsan.ac.kr
Nguyen Truong Dan Vu
HCMC University of Technology
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
ntdanvu@gmail.com

Abstract-In grid connected photovoltaic (PV) systems, maximum
power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm plays an important role
in optimizing the solar energy efficiency. In this paper, the new
artificial neural network (ANN) based MPPT method has been
proposed for searching maximum power point (MPP) fast and
exactly. For the first time, the combined method is proposed,
which is established on the ANN-based PV model method and
incremental conductance (IncCond) method. The advantage of
ANN-based PV model method is the fast MPP approximation
base on the ability of ANN according the parameters of PV array
that used. The advantage of IncCond method is the ability to
search the exactly MPP based on the feedback voltage and
current but don't care the characteristic on PV array.. The
effectiveness of proposed algorithm is validated by simulation
using Matlabl Simulink and experimental results using kit field
programmable gate array (FPGA) Virtex II pro ofXilinx.
This paper presents a new MPPT method which decreasing
the tracking time to reach the MPP. This is based on combining
Artificial Neural Network for the first stage and Incremental
Conductance for the second one.
II. THE NEW ANN- MODEL BASED MPPT
ALGORITHM
Many different techniques of MPPT have been well
discussed in many papers. In the following, two methods,
related to the proposed method in this paper, are stated.
A. Incremental Conductance Method [9J
The slope of the PV array power curve is zero at the MPP,
positive on left of the MPP and negative on right of the MPP:

Keyword: photovoltaic (PV), maximum power point tracking dP

=0' atMPP
(MPPT), artificial neural network (ANN), incremental conductance
(IncCond), Virtex II pro.
dV
dP
>0' leftofMPP (1)
I. INTRODUCTION dV
dP
In general, photovoltaic (PV) arrays convert sunlight into <0' right ofMPP
electricity. DC power generated depends on illumination of dV
solar and environmental temperature. It is also varied according Since
to the amount of load. Under uniform irradiance and
M
+V +V
temperature, a PV array exhibits a current-voltage dP = d(lV) = dI I':::
characteristic with a unique point, called maximum-power­ I I (2)
dV dV dV i1V
point, where the PV array produces maximum output power. In
order to provide the maximum power in for load, the (2) can be written as
maximum-power-point-tracking (MPPT) algorithm is
M
necessary for PV array. Briefly, a MPPT algorithm control =- I ' atMPP
electronic converters to continuously detect the instantaneous i1V V
M
maximum power of the PV array. I
>- ' leftofMPP (3)
During years, many MPPT methods have been developed i1V V
and implemented [3]: Hill Climbing/P&O, Incremental M I
Conductance, Fractional Open-Circuit Voltage or Short-Circuit - < - ' right oifMPP
-

Current, Fuzzy logic or Neural Network, Ripple Correlation
control, Current Sweep, DC-link Capacitor Droop Control,
Load Current or Voltage Control, dP/dV or dP/dI Feedback
Control. ...
One of the parameter is used to evaluate and compare
among MPPT methods is convergence speed, special in case
the weather changed rapidly. Many researches try to solve this
issue [8, 10, 11]. However the accuracy and the searching time
is still optimizing.
i1V V
The Incremental Conductance (lncCond) method is based
on these above equations. The MPP can thus be tracked by
comparing the instantaneous conductance (IN) to the
incremental conductance (i1Vi1V) as shown in the flowchart
FigJ. Vref is the reference voltage at which the PV array is
forced to operate. At the MPP, Vref equals to VMPP• Once the
MPP is reached, the operation of the PV array is maintained at
this point unless a change in irradiance, temperature or load. In

1 978-1-4244-9037-0/101$26.00 ©2010 IEEE

IFOST 2010 Proceedings

those cases, the algorithm decreases or increases Vref to track
the new MPP.
There is tradeoff in this algorithm. Fast MPP tracking can
be achieved with bigger increments. However, the operating
point is not remained and oscillates more around MPP.
C. The New ANN-Model Based MPPT Algorithm
As shown above, two those methods, ANN and IncCond,
have disadvantages while they are used independently. The
former, ANN method, depends on time (for fixed PV array)
and error of training and nonlinear function approximation if
the input parameters different the data that used to train ANN .

The latter, IncCond method, has tradeoff between tracking time

and static error. The combination of two methods solved these
problems successfully.
In this method, two stages are used to track MPP of PV
array. In the first stage, the trained ANN has guided (Vref,Iref) to
optimal point (Vopt,Iopt) which is close to MPP. The training
data are determined by using Matlab/Simulink simulate the PV
array thought it's parameters. In every case, which is respect to
specific irradiance and temperature values, the current-voltage
Yes Yes characteristic is recorded for the input data of ANN The MPP .

of this characteristic is also recorded for the output data of

No No
ANN. The net is implemented for the purpose to determine the
voltage of PV array which the PV array have the maximum
power. The net is obtained by training (supervised) with
trainlm function - Levenberg -Marquardt algorithm, the
acceptable for training squared error is 10-2• The optimal
number of neurons of 1st layer is 60 logsig neurons, the 2nd
layer has 1 purelin neurons. So, the total number of neurons is
61 neurons (convergence obtained for 1783 epochs).
In case the parameters of PV array aren't supported, the
IncCond method is used to get the data (V, I, MMP) that use to
Figure. 1. IncCond Algorithm train the ANN.

B. Artificial Neural Network

1(11 Proet!ltnputl lIytrl I{I)
Recently, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) has been
strongly developed not only in theory but also in application. A
common ANN showed in Fig2, has many layers: input, hidden
,

and output layers. For MPPT, ANN input can be PV array

A�itlvns
Trair*loQ:
Performance:
levenbe<�QU¥dt
Mean SQuared Error (fT1
tr
�
Proore.ss
parameters like PV voltages and currents, environmental data .",d"

like irradiance and temperature, or any combination of these. Performance:

1.00
174
",---="'::;:-=-=";:::''':'::'-::';''''====
The output is usually one or several reference signal(s) like a Gradient:
...... , 0.(011):1 1.00e+1O
valid.o.tionChed<s: 0 '---_-,
--''--_----'
duty cycle signal used to drive the electronic converter to
operate at or close to the MPP. The input and output data are I I
I I(
Perler e

.......
I I
from experimental measurement or model based simulation T'�St�e Ue)

Reo;p"esslon

::r---
results. Some studies used ANN to approximate nonlinear
Plot Interval;

function were published [12, 13]. . '

Input Hidden Output •

layer layer layer

Figure. 3. Results of training ANN in Matlabl Simulink

In the second stage, the IncCond method is used to track the

exact MPP. The algorithm is described in flowchart Figure 1 . .

Output

Figure. 2. ANN Diagram

This method depends on the PV array characteristic curve.
Other PV arrays have different characteristic curve. Moreover,
the characteristic curve of a specific PV array has changed
year by year.

978-1-4244-9036-3/101$26.00 ©2010 IEEE 2

IFOST 2010 Proceedings

Calculate:
dl=I(I}-I(hlt)
dV=V(I)-V(I-dt)
dP=I(I)V(I}-I(I-dt)V(I-dt)

Algorilhm
IncCond

UnitOelly4

"',

n."

Figure. 6. ANN-IncCond model in MatIab/Simulink

Figure. 4. Proposed ANN based Algorithm
Case study 1: Compare the tracking time of the proposed
Two stages are operated alternatively. The critical value algorithm with the IncCond Algorithm
M is used to detennine the transition between two stages. 50,---.---.---�--�--,
ilV
40 - - -I - - -1 - - - 1- - - -J - - - 1- - - +- - -1 - - - t- --"i -
-

l �nliirji\1l: 'l!l'1'l.: "''1"''' :

With this algorithm, two disadvantages, time-dependence : : sun= .s p : I I
: I I
0 . �m'fffiT1'rmmTm".mmmm1l\'1''!m1'1
and tradeoff-property, have solved. The tracking time is very 3 .......

�'S : : : : : :
fast because the starting point of IncCond method is close to 20 -

,
"1 I - - r I -I r -,
�
1- T -

the MPP. The smaller increments do not affect the tracking

10 --� - - - - - - i- - - � - - - : - - - + - --: - - - r- - - -{--
time as the fact of traditional IncCond method. So the more 1

I ,
exact MPP can be tracked without time-increment. When the L
I
1
,
PV characteristic changes with time, MPP is different from the
.10
Time (5)
output of ANN. However, the output of ANN is close to MPP 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 O.OS 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.1S
and MPP is fast tracked in the second stage.
Figure. 7. PV Power Response Curve with the propsed method
III. SIMULATIONS 50,-
--.---�--�--,---,
Whole algorithm is simulated by using Matlab/Simulink.
In detail, SimPowerSystem toolbox is used to guarantee the 40 - - ., - - -1- - - T - - --, - - - r - - ., - - -1- - - r - --, --

electrical behaviors of PY system.

I J I I I I I
I Sun:::OJS I

-
--� ------+ - ;.
- ;,-
-.; ' �
- �I-'i-"-C::":
- ::"
- '::'
- .=--=-c.:;.!.:..:::...
- - ':::;
.::. - '':
' -C: - .:::j
: :...
ii
r I
I I I I I I I I

Boost
20 - - - -+ - - -1- - + - - -1- - - I- - - -f - - -1- - - + - - -1 --

Load
a...

I I
converter
10 ------ TJ -- �I --- Ir -- 'I ------ T
I -- �I --
-

PVarray Ipv vPJ! signal

Controll
°0!C'--;;-
0.� 02,--""
0.'="
04,--""
0�
. 06:---=
0�
. O:-
S --;0"'
.1,---=0-':: 4 ---'0:-':
.1""2 ---:0-'::.17
Time (5)
.1""6 ---'0:-':
.1C;;-S -'

Figure. 8. PV Power-Current Curve with the IncCond method

New MPPT
Algorithm
-
Case study 2: The response of the proposed algorithm
when the temperature changes
Figure. 5. Block diagram of MPPT controller

3 978-1-4244-9037-0/101$26.00 ©2010 IEEE

IFOST 2010 Proceedings

70 ,----,-----,---,,--,
of Xilinx, FPGA ensures the parallel property of ANN and
t=25 I I operates at very high switching frequency.
�rr----�-�E�AA--_::---_�
- ��
�j,��T ����ll =:�l
I I
W --
r ------- � -------- T --
t ' I I
� -----�----�--------T--
§" I ' I I
� 30 -----,------,--------1--
ro _____L _ �__ � __ � _____ l __
I I I ANN­
ro ______L ____ � __ � __ � __ l __ IncCond
I I I
o __ L ____ � __ J __ � __ � __ � __ __ L __
' I I I

�% � u � U U M U U U
Time(s)
Figure. 9. PV Power response curve with the proposed method
62,-------,---,

60

Figure. 13. Implemented Scheme of Algorithm in FPGA

�56
�
Experimental model includes:
+
I
�
I I I I I
-- - -r --- �---- '----T----T---
Light resource: three 150-watt lamps.
+ PV array: 6 array H-tech-13W.
59e;-
3 L---:,-;-
4 ----;'; ,6:----,,-:O
, 5--- --;';; ' ---;,7
a ---:,·9 + Transducers: LEM for current and voltage feedback.
Ipv (A)

Figure. lO. PV Power-Current curve with the proposed method + Controller: kit Virtex II pro of Xilinx.
Case study 3: The response of the proposed algorithm + Plotter: dSPACE 1104.
when the irradiation change + DC-DC converter: Boost converter with parameters:
Capacitor 5000f..lF, Inductor 1.5mL, Power diode Von O.6V. =

,Sun=1 I I I I I Sun=1 I
60 --,I-- -- T -- r I Using lamps helps testing the change of radiation easily.
I
50 - -:- - - - - -: - - � - - 1I -SUn�o:75- � -1- � - - � - - However, the maximum output power of PV array is small,
§' 40 sun:o: S- -
----
: - - � - - I - - �-- � - - � - - �-- about 9 watts.
-�--�--�--�--�--�--�--
iW
Q. 20 --I---I---I-- -j-- ,---r--r--r- --r --
I I I I I I I I I

: I
10 - -,- - -,- - -,- - --, - - "1 - - l" - - T - - I - - I - -

I I
__ L _ _ __ � __ � __ J __ 1 _ _ ! __ L __ L __
�
�� . �
I I I I I I I I
.10
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.' 0.8 0.9
I

Figure. 11. PV Power response curve with Irradiation Changes­

using the proposed a1goritm

'0 ,-
--,--,----,,---,

10 - - 1- - - 1- - - - -I - - --l -- -I - - -+ - - + - - I- - -
I I I I I I

%��-�-7-��--;';; 2 -�,4--:,6�-0-;';;,a-�2
,0--:,e;-
Ipv{A)

Figure. 12. PV Power-Current curve with Irradiation Changes­

using the proposed algoritm

The tracking time for MPP (Figure 7) with ANN is faster

than the case using only the IncCond algorithm (Figure 8)
when the environmental conditions change. The response of
PV power when using the algorithm combine ANN and
IncCond algorithm is good.

IV. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

To experiment the proposed method, the parameters of real
solar PV was used to get the data for Matlab, Simulink to train
Figure. 14. Experimental model using ANN-IncCond Algorithm
the ANN. Whole algorithm is implemented in kit Virtex II pro

978-1-4244-9036-3/101$26.00 ©2010 IEEE 4

IFOST 2010 Proceedings

DSPACE 1104 and software dSPACE control-desk is used

to get feedback data and plot the waveform of the PV power.
The proposed method tracks to the MPP faster than the
conventional IncCond algorithm. The ANN-IncCond
algorithm (Figure 17) method reach to the MPP in about 0.1s
and less oscillation, while the IncCond algorthim (Figure 15) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 16

reach to the MPP in about 0.25s. Vpv

10 Figure. 19. P-V curve in stable state for ANN-IncCond

� 5
10

).0 0.1 02 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
•

•
1.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 o.s 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
Figure. IS. Power curve for IncCond

o 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 •
;�I o 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 e 9

Vpv
10 11
£
12 13 14 15 16 17 18

vpv
•
Figure. 20. P-V curve for ANN-IncCond, radiation increases
Figure. 16. P-V curve in stable state for IncCond

10
V. CONCLUSIONS
This paper presented a proposed ANN-based MPPT
� 5
method which solves two disadvantages of ANN and IncCond
method. The idea is combination of those two methods. The
•
).0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
ANN increases the tracking time of the IncCond by guiding
the DC-DC converter to VoptimaI immediately. In addition, the
IncCond tracks the exact MPP and helps ANN not be trained

;�I
periodically.
r Whole algorithm is experimented well in kit FPGA Virtex
II pro of Xilinx. FPGA chip with large resource is suitable to
o 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 the new algorithm. Parallel property of ANN is implemented
•
Vpv
well in FPGA. Moreover, with current technology, transducers
and power electronic devices can operate at high frequency.
Figure. 17. P-V curve for IncCond, radiation increases So FPGA has advantages for experiments.

. . VI. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
10
The authors would like to thank the Green Power

c �
Laboratory (GPL), Hochiminh city University of Technology,
for support about experimental instruments.
REFERENCES
J.O 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 O.S 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
•

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