Flyback PPC Converter with Artificial Neural Network for Distributed MPPT Application

This paper proposes a partial power processing (PPC) based configuration of DC-DC converter to overcome the issues due to partial shading in photovoltaic (PV) modules. Series connected partial power converter (S-PPC) with flyback topology is utilised for the implementation of distributed maximum power point tracking (DMPPT). In a conventional DC-DC converter, the total string power is processed by a single converter known as global maximum power point tracking (GMPPT) is utilised. Again, in the conventional DC-DC converters, the converter process complete power to achieve maximum power point tracking (MPPT). This paper proposes a Flyback S-PPC circuit which process only a part of total power flow, which is known as a partial power processing (PPP). The Flyback S-PPC is connected to each PV module and ANN-based MPPT is applied, higher efficiency with good steady-state and better transient responses are obtained. A comparative study is conducted to validate the performance of the proposed DC-DC converter configuration, and its results are discussed in this paper