Kalman filter MPPT method for a solar inverter

This paper proposes a new maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method for photovoltaic (PV) systems by using Kalman filter. A Perturbation & Observation (P&O) method is widely used presently due to its easy implementation and simplicity. The P&O usually requires of dithering scheme to reduce noise effects, but it slows the tracking response. Tracking speed is the most important factor on improving efficiency in frequent environmental changes. The proposed method is based on the Kalman filter. It shows the fast tracking performance on noisy conditions, so that enables to generate more power in rapid weather changes than the P&O. Simulation results are provided the comparison between the proposed method and P&O on time responses for conditions of sudden system restart and sudden irradiance change.