An Approach for Maximum Power Point Tracking in Satellite Photovoltaic Arrays

A technique for managing power generation in a spacecraft power bus is introduced. The proposed technique is based on a sectional MPPT approach, where the solar array is split into several sections, interfaced to the power bus by dedicated Array Power Regulators. The dc-dc converter inside each of them is enslaved to a multimode controller, capable of selecting either MMPT or regulation mode or standby. The operating mode is managed in such a way that the rough regulation is achieved by sequentially increasing/decreasing the number of converters in MPPT according to the fluctuations of the power absorption on the bus, while the fine regulation is performed by a single converter in the regulation mode. Some possible configurations of the system are analyzed. Simulations of the algorithm and experimental results are provided.