PV panel power optimization using sub-panel MPPT

Photo-voltaic systems are affected by converter losses, partial shading and other mismatches in the panels. This paper presents a sub-panel maximum power point tracking that removes the bypass diodes of the panels to optimize the individual sub-panels. Compared to the panel maximum power point tracking, the sub-panel maximum power point tracking reduces the mismatches, losses and increases the output power of the system. The design was implemented in a prototype board and tested to verify its performance. The sub-panel level power optimization improves the output power of a shaded panel by up to 20%, compared to panel MPPT with internal bypass diodes.