A Single RBF Neural Network Approach to MPPT Algorithm for PV Systems

This paper presents an intelligent network based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) using radial basis function (RBF) algorithm. By employing MPPT technology on a photovoltaic (PV) system the system efficiency can be improved. RBF has the merits of design simplicity and is a widely used MPPT algorithm. The single network based maximum power extraction method is simple and has the virtue of fast response in maximum power point determination. Moreover, there is no requirement of mechanical sensor or any system parameter measurements. The performance of the proposed MPPT algorithm is investigated using MATLAB simulation software. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can track the maximum power point accurately under rapidly fluctuating atmospheric conditions with insignificant error and the effectiveness of the RBF network based MPPT technique is promising.