Granular control of photovoltaic arrays by means of a multi-output Maximum Power Point Tracking algorithm

ABSTRACT In this paper, a Distributed Maximum Power Point Tracking (D‐MPPT) approach in photovoltaic (PV) applications is discussed. The proposed control method is suitable for the granular control of the PV generator at a module level or even at a sub‐module level. D‐MPPT is usually implemented by...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Progress in photovoltaics 2013-08, Vol.21 (5), p.918-932
Main Authors: Petrone, Giovanni, Ramos-Paja, Carlos Andrés, Spagnuolo, Giovanni, Vitelli, Massimo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algorithms
Applied sciences
Architecture
Converters
Direct current
Energy
Equipments, installations and applications
Exact sciences and technology
Maximum power
MPPT algorithm
Natural energy
photovoltaic
Photovoltaic cells
Photovoltaic conversion
Solar cells
Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells
Solar energy
Tracking
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Summary:ABSTRACT In this paper, a Distributed Maximum Power Point Tracking (D‐MPPT) approach in photovoltaic (PV) applications is discussed. The proposed control method is suitable for the granular control of the PV generator at a module level or even at a sub‐module level. D‐MPPT is usually implemented by means of independent converters, each one of them running its own MPPT algorithm. Instead, the architecture proposed in this paper consists of only one digital controller, implementing a multivariable MPPT algorithm based on the Perturb and Observe approach, acting on a number of dc/dc converters, each one of them dedicated to a single PV module. The proposed control strategy reduces the number of current sensors with respect to the classical D‐MPPT architecture and tracks the maximum power evaluated at the dc/dc converters' output. Planar solid immersion mirror simulations and experimental results confirm the validity of the approach and of the design guidelines proposed in the paper. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. A novel approach to the Distributed Maximum Power Point Tracking (D‐MPPT) in PhotoVoltaic (PV) applications is proposed for the granular control of the PV generator at a module level or even at sub‐module level. The architecture consists of one central unit implementing a multivariable MPPT algorithm based on the Perturb and Observe approach. This solution reduces the number of current sensors with respect to the classical DMPPT architecture and tracks the maximum power evaluated at the dc/dc converters output. PSIM simulations and experimental results confirm the validity of the approach and of the design guidelines proposed in the paper.
ISSN:1062-7995
1099-159X
DOI:10.1002/pip.2179