Modeling, simulation and hardware implementation of a bond graph-maximum power point tracker for a photovoltaic panel under partially shaded conditions

Abstract

The electric power generated by a photovoltaic module can be greatly reduced compared with optimal production due to weather conditions and factors such as partial shade. The main defect of a conventional maximum power point tracking control algorithm is its misinterpretation of the location of the maximum power point during a sudden change in climatic conditions because of the existence of several local maxima on the power–voltage characteristic curve. This work presents a preliminary study on the modeling, simulation and implementation of a new algorithm for power output maximization of photovoltaic generators under partially shaded conditions using a bond graph approach. The idea is to use a buck-boost converter and to test experimentally the performance of the proposed algorithm on a real photovoltaic panel. We imposed ten patterns of irradiance on the photovoltaic panel, of which more than half were patterns of partial shading. The proposed controller performed excellently under all shading conditions compared with the classical direct duty cycle technique. The control part and the proposed algorithm were implemented on a microcontroller, and the efficiency of the developed algorithm was demonstrated as a function of the real position of the maximum power point through the results of a simulation performed using Symbols (SYstem Modeling by BOnd graph Language and Simulation) software. The results obtained from the simulation were compared with experimental results obtained from real measurements using a Photowatt PW1650 photovoltaic panel under the same operating conditions and climatic environment.

Analysis, design and implementation of analog circuitry-based maximum power point tracking for photovoltaic boost DC/DC converter

“…The equivalent circuit of a single diode-based practical PV cell is illustrated in Figure 2. It consists of a light generated current source ( I ph ) in parallel with a diode ( D 1 ) , a shunt resistance ( R sh ) and a resistance ( R s ) in series (Badoud et al, 2007; Raj and Jeyakumar; 2014; Villalva et al; 2009; Wang et al, 2016). By applying Kirchhoff's voltage law (KVL) at node ‘ a ’, the current generated by the PV cell ( i PV ) is obtained as…”

“…However, the cost, conversion efficiency, load impedance, environment conditions (i.e. irradiance level and cell temperature) and non-linear voltage-power (V-P) characteristics are the main constraints in the utilization of PV modules (Badoud et al, 2007;Raj and Jeyakumar;2014;Solarex, 1997;Villalva et al;2009;Wang et al, 2016).…”

Structural analysis for dynamic model of time‐varying switch in bond graph – a case study of single phase switch converters

“…With the MTF of conventional bond graph elements being used to replace the time-varying switch, the relationship between an MTF and junction element (i.e. 0-junction or 1-junction) could be categorised as: (i) the connection between the MTF and junction element [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] or (ii) MTF as the element of the junction branch [16][17][18][19][20][21], where the modulated parameter (m) of the MTF could be divided into two types. While one refers to the ON/OFF modes, the other refers to the duty ratio (i.e.…”