Implementation in arm microcontroller to maximize the power output of solar panel using Hill Climbing Algorithm

The objective of the paper is to discuss about the hardware implementation of a Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) unit which comprises of a 10W Photo Voltaic Panel, a Boost dc-dc converter and load, using ARM Cortex M3 32 bit Microcontroller in which the Hill Climbing Algorithm for maximum power point tracking with respect to insolation and load variations is executed. The ideal coupling of Photovoltaic (PV) Panel to the load is done through a controlled Boost type dc-dc converter. The boosted output voltage of the converter at MPPT can be coupled directly with grid synchronized inverter to supply power to local utility grid. The microcontroller instantaneously senses voltage and current output of solar panel with the help of 12 bit ADC of sampling frequency 200 KHz. It adjusts the duty cycle of the PWM signal given to the converter gate drive circuit. Generated PWM signal results in impedance matching of the panel with the load and hence deliver maximum power at customer side. ARM Cortex M3 32 bit Microcontroller allows greater performance efficiency, easy system modifications, low power consumption, critical tasks and interrupts are serviced as quickly as possible & improved code density.