A PWM multiplier for maximum power point estimation of a solar panel

Abstract

A simple analog multiplier for the estimation of the power yield of a solar panel may be realized with a pulse width modulator working as analog multiplier circuit of the current yield and the duty cycle of the converter used to condition the panel. Though the output of the pulse width modulator multiplication is not exactly proportional to the output power of the solar panel, its maximum follows the maximum of the power curve of the panel. This multiplier allows a complete analog implementation of the maximum power point tracker of the panel keeping, at the same time, the simplicity needed in robust electronic systems. This paper presents the working principle of the maximum power point estimator for three different power conditioners of the solar panel: a step-down, a step-up and a SEPIC.

A high-performance MPPT algorithm combining advanced three-point weight comparison and temporary stopped running strategy for PV systems

“…A PV module's output power is, however, plagued by irradiance levels, temperature, loads, and so on, which undoubtedly impair conversion efficiency. A number of studies in the literature have addressed such problems and improved the overall conversion efficiency of a PV system [5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27]. Ahmed et al proposed a design strategy of perturbation parameters based on the HC algorithm for PV MPPT control [5].…”

“…Veerapen et al used a novel hybrid MPPT algorithm combining the particle swarm optimization (PSO) and the P&O [25]. Carrasco et al provided a complete analog implementation of robust electronic systems for PV panels [26]. Zhang et al proposed an MPPT scheme for keeping the capacitor voltage balance and realizing the function of constant current and voltage [27].…”