Integrated Single Output Sensor Distributed MPPT for Photovoltaic Systems: A Novel Per-Cell Approach

A novel distributed maximum power point tracking (MPPT) architecture is introduced in this paper featuring a single output sensor. Sensing the load parameters to control the MPPT instead of DC-DC converter input parameters enables a significant reduction in the total number of sensors to be used, where only one sensor is needed for
$\pmb{N}$
number of series-connected PV cells. It is well known that in per-cell MPPT, the corresponding number of sensors increases the system complexity and cost altogether. The proposed single output sensor MPPT helps in reducing the cost of the system. In this paper, a boost DC-DC power converter is used as the interface between the PV cell and the load. The
$\mathbf{0.35}-\mu \mathbf{m}$
CMOS distributed MPPT presented in this paper reduces the partial shading effects and mismatching phenomena using a small-size and low-cost controller. Validation results using Spectre Simulator are presented at different irradiation and temperature levels.