Evaluation of a photovoltaic energy mechatronics system with a built-in quadratic maximum power point tracking algorithm

The historically high cost of crude oil price is stimulating research into solar (green) energy as an alternative energy source. In general, applications with large solar energy output require a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm to optimize the power generated by the photovoltaic effect....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Solar energy 2009-12, Vol.83 (12), p.2177-2185
Main Authors: Chao, R.M., Ko, S.H., Pai, F.S., Lin, I.H., Chang, C.C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ALGORITHMS
Alternative energy sources
Applied sciences
COMPUTER CODES
Controllers
Converter
DC TO DC CONVERTERS
Direct current
Electric power
Energy
Equipments, installations and applications
EVALUATION
Exact sciences and technology
Hardware
MATHEMATICAL SOLUTIONS
Maximum power
Mechatronics
Natural energy
OPTIMIZATION
Optimization algorithms
Photovoltaic
Photovoltaic cells
Photovoltaic conversion
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANTS
POLYNOMIALS
POWER GENERATION
Quadratic
Solar
SOLAR ENERGY
Solar power generation
SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEMS
Tracking
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Summary:The historically high cost of crude oil price is stimulating research into solar (green) energy as an alternative energy source. In general, applications with large solar energy output require a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm to optimize the power generated by the photovoltaic effect. This work aims to provide a stand-alone solution for solar energy applications by integrating a DC/DC buck converter to a newly developed quadratic MPPT algorithm along with its appropriate software and hardware. The quadratic MPPT method utilizes three previously used duty cycles with their corresponding power outputs. It approaches the maximum value by using a second order polynomial formula, which converges faster than the existing MPPT algorithm. The hardware implementation takes advantage of the real-time controller system from National Instruments, USA. Experimental results have shown that the proposed solar mechatronics system can correctly and effectively track the maximum power point without any difficulties.
ISSN:0038-092X
1471-1257
DOI:10.1016/j.solener.2009.08.011