A fast current-based MPPT technique based on sliding mode control

This paper introduces a novel maximum power point tracking technique aimed at maximizing the power produced by photovoltaic systems. The largest part of the approaches presented in literature are based on the sensing of the photovoltaic generator voltage. On the contrary, in this paper a current-based technique is proposed: the sensing of the current in the capacitor placed in parallel with the photovoltaic source is one of the innovative aspects of the proposal. A dual control loop based on the sliding mode control ensures a very fast tracking of irradiation variations. Features of the proposed algorithm are supported by a theoretical analysis and simulations. The technique described in this paper is patent pending.