Development and Comparison of an Improved Incremental Conductance Algorithm for Tracking the MPP of a Solar PV Panel

This paper proposes an adaptive and optimal control strategy for a solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The control strategy ensures that the solar PV panel is always perpendicular to sunlight and simultaneously operated at its maximum power point (MPP) for continuously harvesting maximum power. The proposed control strategy is the control combination between the solar tracker (ST) and MPP tracker that can greatly improve the generated electricity from solar PV systems. Regarding the ST system, the paper presents two drive approaches including open- and closed-loop drives. Additionally, the paper also proposes an improved incremental conductance algorithm for enhancing the speed of the MPP tracking of a solar PV panel under various atmospheric conditions as well as guaranteeing that the operating point always moves toward the MPP using this proposed algorithm. The simulation and experimental results obtained validate the effectiveness of the proposal under various atmospheric conditions.