Influence of power converters on PV maximum power point tracking efficiency

Roberto F. Coelho; Walbermark M. dos Santos; Denizar C. Martins

doi:10.18618/REP.2014.1.073080

Authors

Roberto F. Coelho Power Electronics Institute – Department of Electrical Engineering – Federal University of Santa Catarina Florianópolis – SC – Brazil
Walbermark M. dos Santos Power Electronics Institute – Department of Electrical Engineering – Federal University of Santa Catarina Florianópolis – SC – Brazil
Denizar C. Martins Power Electronics Institute – Department of Electrical Engineering – Federal University of Santa Catarina Florianópolis – SC – Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18618/REP.2014.1.073080

Keywords:

DC-DC power converter, Maximum Power Point Trackers, Photovoltaic Systems

Abstract

Maximum power point trackers (MPPT) are employed to maximize the photovoltaic modules output power, since it is strongly affected by changes on the incident solar radiation, surface temperature and load-type. Basically, a MPPT consists on a dc-dc converter (hardware) controlled by a tracking algorithm (software) and the combination of both, hardware and software, defines the tracking efficiency. This paper shows that even when the most accurate algorithm is employed, the maximum power point cannot be tracked, since its imposition as operating point depends on the dc- dc converter static feature and the load-type connected to its output. For validating the concept, the main dc-dc converters, i.e., Buck, Boost, Buck-Boost, Cuk, SEPIC and Zeta are analyzed considering two load-types: resistive and capacitive (regulated dc bus or battery). Simulation and experimental results are compared in order to confirm the theoretical analysis.

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Author Biographies

Roberto F. Coelho, Power Electronics Institute – Department of Electrical Engineering – Federal University of Santa Catarina Florianópolis – SC – Brazil

was born in Florianópolis, Brazil, on August 19, 1982. He received the B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil, in 102006, 2008 and 2013, respectively. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Federal University of Santa Catarina. His interest research areas include dc-dc and dc-ac converters, microgrids stability, renewable energy sources, power factor correction and grid-connected PV systems.

Walbermark M. dos Santos, Power Electronics Institute – Department of Electrical Engineering – Federal University of Santa Catarina Florianópolis – SC – Brazil

was born in São Luis, MA, Brazil. He received the B. S. degrees in electrical engineering from the Federal University of Maranhão, São Luis, Brazil in 2003, and M. Sc. degree in Power Electronics and Electrical Drivers from the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil in 2011.Currently he is a Ph.D. Student of the Power Electronics Institute, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Walbermark Santos is a member of SOBRAEP.

Denizar C. Martins, Power Electronics Institute – Department of Electrical Engineering – Federal University of Santa Catarina Florianópolis – SC – Brazil

was born in São Paulo, Brazil, on April 24, 1955. He received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil, in 1978 and 1981, respectively, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the Polytechnic National Institute of Toulouse, Toulouse, France, in 1986. He is currently a Titular Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Federal University of Santa Catarina. His interest research areas include dc-dc and dc-ac converters, high frequency, soft commutation, power factor correction and grid-connected PV systems.