Simplified maximum power point controller for PV installations

Author

Snyman, Danie B. ; Enslin, Johan H R

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. & Electron. Eng., Stellenbosch Univ., South Africa

fYear

1993

fDate

10-14 May 1993

Firstpage

1240

Lastpage

1245

Abstract

A new low-cost, simplified control strategy, based on the positive feedback of the output current in a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) converter, is introduced. Cost effective MPPT reduces the energy cost of renewable energy generators by optimizing the utilization of the renewable energy source. Maximum power point tracking for relative small photovoltaic (PV) power systems, with battery back-up, is achieved by employing this simplified positive feedback control strategy to maximize the output current into the battery. This new control strategy is analyzed and practical tested by using a buck power converter topology, but can also be used by the known converter topologies for PV systems and other renewable energy sources with a single power maximum. Experimental verification on the operation of this controller is included

Keywords

battery chargers; battery storage plants; electric current control; feedback; optimal control; photovoltaic power systems; power convertors; power system control; secondary cells; solar cell arrays; solar cells; PV power systems; battery back-up; buck power converter; maximum power point tracking; optimal current control; positive feedback control; renewable energy; Batteries; Cost function; Output feedback; Photovoltaic systems; Power system analysis computing; Power system control; Power systems; Renewable energy resources; Solar power generation; Topology;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1993., Conference Record of the Twenty Third IEEE

Conference_Location

Louisville, KY

Print_ISBN

0-7803-1220-1

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/PVSC.1993.346944

Filename

346944