Low cost MPPT controller for off grid solar applications

A low cost maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method with simple circuit and algorithm is proposed for off grid solar applications, in which no PV panel output signals are needed to implement MPPT, and the duty cycle perturbation steps are determined with consideration of both Buck converter property and PV output characteristics. MPPT control state is reset periodically to improve dynamic response. The validity and feasibility of the proposed control is verified by experiments.