The Influence of MPPT Algorithms in the Lifespan of the Capacitor Across the PV Array

PV systems efficiency highly depends on the MPPT strategy to be implemented in the PV converter. Many MPPT methods on the literature are focused on improving the steady state and transient system performance extracting the maximum energy from the sun. In this paper, the impact of the MPPT methods in the PV converter is analyzed focusing the study on the capacitor across the PV array lifespan. The obtained results demonstrate that the low frequency PV voltage oscillations that are present in many MPPT methods have a large negative impact on this capacitor lifespan. Experimental and simulation results are presented in order to show that advanced MPPT methods, which avoid these low frequency oscillations, achieve higher capacitor lifespan values compared with the values obtained by applying well-known MPPT methods such as the perturb and observe or incremental conductance strategies.