High-Speed Maximum Power Point Tracking Module for PV Systems

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is a basic and indispensable requirement for photovoltaic (PV) systems under normal irradiance and under partial shading conditions (PSCs). Although the simple perturb and observe algorithm is quite effective under normal conditions, it fails to recognize the global maximum operating point (GMOP) under the PSC. This paper explores the fast determination of GMOP under PSCs using a proposed high-speed MPPT module, which operates in conjunction with a boost converter. With this high-speed MPPT module, the tracking time of the MPPT controller is considerably reduced. The tracking accuracy and efficiency are significantly better than other techniques in the literature. The concept is first implemented on a PV system simulation model and the results are further validated with a prototype implementation of a 300 W PV-fed boost converter operated under various PSCs. The enthusiastic results were finally verified in an installation of a 2.5 kW PV system. The results demonstrate that the proposed high-speed MPPT controller outperforms both duty sweep and particle swarm optimization based MPPTs.