Design, testing and comparison of P&O, IC and VSSIR MPPT techniques

This paper explores three maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques, i.e. the Incremental Conductance (IC), Perturb and Observe (P&O) and Variable Step Size Incremental Resistance (VSSIR) techniques. The MPPT techniques are firstly simulated on Matlab/Simulink platform. In order to realise the MPPT techniques on simulation, a DC-DC boost converter and PV panel simulation model is required which are also implemented. A cost comparison of the three techniques is conducted as an additional selection criterion between the MPPT techniques. For verification purposes the IC technique is implemented on hardware using the Arduino Leonardo circuit board and tested on the shell solar SQ80 panel.