A Novel MPPT Strategy with Only One Current Sensor Using Predictive Control Technique

The cost and efficiency of a photovoltaic (PV) system are related to the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique used, this has led to a continual development and improvement of their control systems. The most preponderant techniques usually require at least a couple of current and voltage sensors and a relatively complex control strategy. In order to reduce the overall cost and control difficulty, this paper presents a novel MPPT controller with reduced number of sensors through predictive control technique The proposed MPPT controller is based on a checking algorithm using one current sensor that senses only the load current and allows an instantaneous interaction between the power delivered by the PV and the power needed by load The developed technique has been incorporated into a PV model built in Matlab/Simulink adapted to the real characteristics of the PV array used in experiment. The simulation results proves the PV system efficiency and its enabling to optimize system performance under various predicted current. The algorithm has been implemented using FPGA card and the obtained results in the experiments validate the efficiency of the proposed controller algorithm.