Maximum Power Point Tracking Method Based on the Intermittent Step-varied Search for PV Array

This paper proposes the intermittent step-varied search of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method to solve the problem of the tracking speed and power oscillation, it is composed of three control processes including startup stage, step-varied timing search and constant duty ratio timing control. When the photovoltaic (PV) system starts up or the environment changes strongly, step-varied search is implemented at intervals of the shorter timing to track the maximum power point (MPP) quickly. When the environment changes slightly, the optimal constant duty ratio is utilized for a longer timing. The simulation and experimental results prove that this method can reduce the tracking power loss caused by the continuous perturbation, and track the MPP fast even under the quick environment change.