An adaptive P&O MPPT using a sectionalized piece-wise linear P-V curve

This paper describes the adaptive perturb and observe (P&O) MPPT controller based on a sectionalized piece-wise linearization of the P-V curve. The algorithm divides the curve into three non-uniform sections, depending on the location of the maximum power point (MPP). Furthermore, the step size (M) is varied linearly according to the slope of the P-V curve. This results in high tracking speed and reduced steady state oscillations, along with rapid adjustment for the change in weather conditions. The proposed algorithm is implemented using a unidirectional buck-boost DC/DC converter. The model is simulated in MATLAB® Simulink environment for validation. Its efficiency is found to be higher than the conventional P&O MPPT with the fixed step size.