Independently sourced parallel-connected power systems with maximum power tracking

The paper presents a multiple-channel distributed maximum power tracking (MPT) power system with channel outputs connected in parallel, and channel inputs connected to independent power sources. A "shared-bus" current-sharing method utilizing the distributed MPT control system is well suited to regulate parallel-connected current-mode DC-DC converters dedicated to each power channel. For broader applications with distributed solar-array sources, the distributed MPT approach was implemented to achieve robust stability. The approach was successfully validated through a two-channel 1500 W prototype, yielding nearly uniform current-sharing and reliable MPT performance. Each power channel was shown to track the array peak power from 50 W to 600 W with tracking efficiency of nearly 100%. The multiple-channel distributed-MPT power system provides ease of power expansion, stable current-sharing, fault-tolerance, and autonomous MPT control.