Comparison of MPPT and PWM Methods on Designing Microcontroller Based Power Control Unit for Wireless Sensor Networks

The study represents the design and methods used to design microcontroller based photovoltaic charge controller and battery management system that utilizes maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms for wireless sensor network used in a pipeline installed on the rural field. Perturb and observe (P&O) algorithm is considered in algorithm to ensure that the system works in high efficiency. Because it is less complicated and has good tracking accuracy. P&O algorithm extracts maximum power from solar panel and charges the battery in float and bulk mode along synchronous buck converter. Synchronous DC-DC converter is used to reduce losses during active time of the system. P&O algorithm is compared to non-MPPT photovoltaic control algorithms under same weather conditions. Photovoltaic panel, battery and load are protected by software and hardware design elements.