Maximum power point tracking for solar panel companion inverters

Solar Panel Companion Inverter (SPCI) has been proposed as an H-bridge inverter embedded with a PV module. Each inverter converts the DC voltage output of the module, to a quasi-square wave voltage with variable pulse width. When these voltages are aggregated across multiple panels connected in a series string, they synthesize an AC waveform that can be interfaced with the power grid. The inverter functionality is distributed along the string, with no microinverter, no central inverter, and no voltage boosting required. In this paper, a new Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm for Solar Panel Companion Inverters (SPCI) is proposed. This MPPT algorithm implements maximum power extraction at a system level. Also, closed loop current control scheme for a grid connected SPCI is implemented. Simulation results demonstrating the working of the closed loop current control and maximum power point tracking algorithm, for various operating scenarios are presented.