Survey on MPPT Techniques in Photovoltaic Solar Energy Systems

Abstract

ABSTRACT-_Tracking of the maximum power point of a photovoltaic array is usually an essential part of PV systems. In general, PV generation systems have two major problems; the conversion efficiency of electric power generation is low, and the amount of electric power generated by solar arrays changes continuously with weather conditions. Moreover, the solar cell I-V characteristic is nonlinear and varies with irradiation and temperature. There is a unique point on the I-V or P-V curve of the solar array called MPP, at which the entire PV system operates with maximum efficiency and produces its maximum output power. The location of the MPP is not known, but can be located, either through calculation models, or by search algorithms. Therefore MPPT techniques are needed to maintain the PV array"s operating point at its MPP. In this paper, some of the most popular techniques are surveyed which are used in their work by most of the authors.