Maximum power point estimator for photovoltaic solar arrays

A novel maximum power point estimator (MPPE) for photovoltaic solar arrays is proposed, evaluated and implemented. Unlike maximum power point trackers (MPPT), the MPPE extracts the solar array maximum power with no tracking process. The operation is based on solving the solar array electronic equivalent model by a microcontroller in real time. Only four measured voltage and current coordinates are needed to obtain the actual solar array parameters and set its operation at maximum power in any conditions of illumination and temperature. Simulated and experimental results are presented to validate the concept.