An Improved MPPT Converter with Current Compensation Method

for Small Scaled PV-Applications

Hyeong-J u Noh', Dong-Yun Lee, Dong-Seok Hyun
Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Hanyang University
Hangdang-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791, Korea
Phone : +82-2-2290-0341 Fax : +82-2-2281-9912
E-mail : onnuri7725@,hotmail.com
Abstract- An improved MPPT converter with current
compensation method for small-scaled PV-applications is
presented in this paper. The proposed method implements
maximum power point tracking (MPPT) by variable
reference current which is continuously changed during
one sampling period. Therefore, the proposed MPPT
converter with current compensation method increases
the power transferred to the load above 9%. As a result,
the utilization efficiency of Photovoltaic (PV)-module can
he increased. In addition, as it doesn't use digital signal
processor (DSP), this MPPT method has the merits of
both a cost efficiency and a simple control circuit design.
Therefore, it is considered that the proposed MPPT
method is proper to low power, low cost PV-applications.
The concept and control principles of this improved
MPPT method are explained in detail and the validity of
the proposed method is verified through several simulated
results.
Keywords: Current compensation method, maximum
power point tracking (MPPT), photovoltaic module, digital
signal processor (DSP), utilization efficiency
I . INTRODUCTION
Recently, as the fossil fuel exhaustion and environmental
pollution are aggravated, the concern of the development of
alternative energy systems, which are renewable and
pollution free, has been increased continuously. Among them,
the photovoltaic (PV) power generation systems stand out as
an important solution because they produce electric power
without inducing environmental pollution, by directly
transforming solar irradiation into electricity. Although PV-
cell was expensive at the beginning, it is considered that PV-
power systems can compete with the fossil fuel systems due
to the development of the semiconductor technology and
manufacturing process. Under changing atmospheric
conditions, the output characteristics of PV-module are
varied nonlinearly. So, to effectively use PV-module, the PV-
power system has to track the maximum power point (MPP)
of PV-module under changing atmospheric conditions.
Thereby, many researchers and designers have actively done
researches to track MPP of PV-module [1]-[10].
Among them, typical MPPT methods can be largely
classified into two groups such as the large scaled PV-power
systems based on digital signal processor (DSP) [1]-[6] and
the small-scaled PV-power systems without using DSP [7]-
MPPT systems based on DSP include the hill-climbing
methods [I ]- [5] and the MPPT method using short circuit
current of PV-module [6]. Between the hill-climbing methods,
P&O method tracks MPP of PV-module by repeatedly
increasing or decreasing the output voltage at MPP of PV-
module. This method not only has relatively simple control
algorithm hut also tracks MPP of PV-module well. However,
when atmospheric conditions are constant or slowly changed,
P&O method is oscillated close to MPP. Especially, when
those are rapidly changed, this method fails to track MPP.
The incremental conductance method developed to improve
these problems of P&O method tracks MPP of PV-module by
comparing incremental conductance with instantaneous one.
As a result, under rapidly changing atmospheric conditions,
this method tracks MPP very well, hut the response speed of
finding MPP is declined because the calculation time of DSP
is increased by relatively complicated control algorithm.
On the contrary, the MPP tracking method using short
circuit current of PV-module uses the fact that the operating
current at MPP of PV-module is linearly proportional to short
circuit current of PV-module [6]. Then, under rapidly
changing atmospheric condition, this method has the fast
response speed of tracking MPP, but the control circuit is
complicated and the conduction loss and the cost of MPPT
converter is increased due to added switch and diode to
sample the short circuit current of PV-module.
Although the MPPT methods based on DSP, above
mentioned, are applicable to above IKW large scaled PV-
systems, to use DSP loses cost efficiency in 50-15OW small-
scaled PV-applications. Therefore, the MPPT methods
without using DSP in small-scaled PV-system have been
many developed [7]-[IO].
Among them, the MPPT method using open circuit
voltage of PV-module [IO] uses the fact that the operating
voltage at MPP of PV-module is near linearly proportional to
open circuit voltage at MPP of PV-module. This method has
a cost efficiency as well as a very simple control circuit
because it does not use the DSP. However, in this method, the
reference voltage is not changed until the next sampling
occurs. As a result, this method always occurs the
considerable error power because the output voltage of PV-
module only follows the unchanged reference voltage during
[IO].
0-7803-7474-61021$17,00 82002 I EEE
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one sampling period.
To improve this defect of the MPPT method using open
circuit voltage of PV-module, in this paper, we propose the
improved MPP tracking method using current compensation
that the output current of PV-module always follows the
continuously changed reference current during one sampling
period, such as the conventional hill-climbing methods that
the output voltage of PV-module follows the changed
reference voltage for each switching cycle, under changing
atmospheric conditions. The concept and control principles of
this improved MPPT method are explained in detail and the
validity of the proposed method is verified through several
simulated results.
E. Characteristics of Photovoltaic Cell
Fig. I shows the typical equivalent circuit of PV-cell. The
typical I-V output characteristics of PV-cell are represented
as following E& 1.
io=iLg- I,{ed ( v~+I ~R~) - I ) - ( v ~+I ~R ~) / K ~ (1)
1, and Vo : cell output current and voltage
Iy: light-generated current
I,: short circuit current
I,: reverse-saturation current
lor: cell saturation current at Tr,
T,: cell Temparature
T,=301.18 OK: reference temperature
q: electron charge
K=l.38e"' : Boltzmann's constant
K,=0.0011: Temparature coefficient at I,,
Emp: energy gap [eV]
h: percentage irradiation
R,: series resistance, R& shunt resistance
A, B: ideality constants
Fig. I , The equivalent model of photovoltaic cell
Fig. 2(a) shows the typical I-V and P-V output
characteristic curve of PV-module. Fig. 2(b) and (c) show the
I-V and P-V output characteristic curves of PV-module in
case that the irradiation and temperature are varied,
respectively. From Fig. 2, we know that the output
characteristics of PV-module are nonlinear and each curve
only has one MPP. Additionally, the output current of PV-
module is mainly affected by irradiation variation, whereas
the output voltage of PV-module is mainly affected by
temperature variation. Therefore, to efficiently use PV-
module, in case the atmospheric conditions are varied, the
MPP tracking of PV-module should he implemented.
III. The proposed Maximum Power Point Tracking
Method in small scaled PV-system
A. Conventional MPP Tracking method using Open
Fig. 3 shows the conventional MPPT converter using open
circuit voltage of PV-module in small-scaled PV-power
system.
This method uses the fact that the operating voltage (V,)
at MPP of PV-module is near linearly proportional to open
circuit voltage (V,) of PV-module.
Circuit Voltage of PV-Module [ I OJ
VoP=K . V,, (2)
where, the proportional constant (K) is about 0.76 (within
*2%).
Fig. 4 shows the reference voltage (V') produced by Eq.2.
This is kept constantly by a hold circuit during one sampling
period.
".P
12 3
m.
I .z
0.7
-
5
0.4 0
5
0 2 5 1
Sol ar termi nal vol tage (Unit P.U.)
Solsrt" minal v01Iags (Unit P.U.)
(a)Typical characteristic curve @) Irradiation variations (c) TemperaNrevariations
Fig. 2. The output characteristic curves of PV-cell.
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V . . " w
Fig. 3. The conventional MPPT converter using open circuit
voltage (V-).
After the open circuit voltage is sampled by analogue
sampler, the operating voltage of PV-module is calculated by
Eq; 2. This operating voltage (V,) is the reference voltage
(V ) for voltage control loop. This method achieves MPP
tracking of PV-module by giving the duty signal acquired
through voltage control loop to switch of MPPT converter.
This method tracks the MPP well. But, as shown in Fig. 4,
the reference voltage is not changed until the next sampling
occurs. As a result, this method always occurs the
considerable error power because the output voltage of PV-
module only follows the unchanged reference voltage during
one sampling period.
B. The Proposed MPP Tracking system using Curreni
Compensation Method
Fig. 5 shows the block diagram of the proposed MPP
tracking system.
The control principles of the proposed MPPT converter
with current compensation method are the same as followings.
As shown in Fig. 6 , this MPP tracking method uses the fact
that the maximum power current is equal to the operating
current (I,) of PV-module crossed with the operating voltage
(V,J at MPP of PV-module.
To improve the defect of the conventional method above
mentioned, the proposed methpd produces the continuously
changed reference current ( I ) for each switching cycle
during one sampling period, such as the conventional hill-
climbing methods that the output voltage of PV-module
follows the changed reference voltage for each switching
Fig.5. The proposed MPPT converter with current
compensation method.
t
T-
T, : safnpling period
Fig. 4. The waveforms of unchanged V'during one sampling
period.
cycle, under changing atmospheric conditions.
As shown in Fig. 5, after the sampler samples the open
circuit voltage of PV-module, the reference yoltage (V') is
produced by Eq. 2. This reference voltage (V ) is constantly
kept by a hold circuit during one sampling period. Then, as
s h o w n in Fig. 7, the continuously changed reference current
(I ) during one sampling period is produced by the voltage
control loop. As the output current (1,") of PV module
follows this continuously changed reference current in the
current control loop, the MPP tracking is achieved. As a
result, the proposed MPP tracking method has considerably
less error power than the conventional MPP tracking method
using open circuit voltage of PV-module.
Additionally, as shown in Fig.5, the PI-controller is used as
a current controller. To compensate the continuously changed
current reference during one sampling period, the integrator,
which is able to be resetted for each switching cycle, is used
as I-controller [ I I].
Fig. 6. V,, and I,, at MPP of PV-module.
' t
-
T , .
T,,,: sampling period
Fig. 7. The waveforms of continuously changed I'during one
sampling period.
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Fig. 8. The overall configuration of the proposed IMPPT
converter.
Irnm'l
I~
~,~
I m am em em mm
Ill.,*
om
om
Fig. 9. The conditions of irradiation.
............ ~ .... .............................. ..........
i-'i
.___.. ..... ~ .............................................
I V. Simulated Result
To verify the validity of the proposed MPP tracking
method which is applicable to 50-15OW small- scaled PV-
power system and to compare the proposed method withthe
conventional method, the simulations were implemented
under same conditions.
A. Desi gn of inductor and capacitors[4]
The inductor value, L, required to operate the converter in
the continuous conduction mode is calculated such that the
peak inductor current at maximum output power does not
exceed the power switch current rating. Thus, the inductor
value. L. is calculated as
(3)
The output capacitor value, CO,,, to give the desired peak-
to-peak output voltage ripple is calculated as
(4)
Taking into account that the ripple of the PV output current
must be less than 2% of its mean value, the input c.apacitor
value, C;., is calculated to he
The PV-module internal resistance at MPP, Rpvm, is
vim
R,, =-
I p v m
(5)
; /
ID) . ~. ~ ................ ~ .... ~~.~ ........... ....... ~ ........
-1
! v. ~
m n
,,mm _m -m l l s m - m II
7 , m . m
(a) Unchanged referencevoltage(V')
m
-m _ m Dam l 33m m m Ul5m
r/m.<m
(b)Changed referencecurrent (1')
Fig. IO. The waveforms of V' and 1'
where,
fs=I/Ts: switching frequency
Dc,,,: duty cycle at maximum converter output power
AIL,,,: peak-to-peak ripple of inductor current
V,:dc component of the output voltage at maximum
I-: dc component of the output current at maximum
y=AV,J Vom: conveter output voltage ripple factor
converter output power
converter output power
(AVo,,,: output voltage peak-to-peak ripple at maximum
power)
IDm; converter input current at maximum input power
V,",,,: PV-module output voltage at maximum power point
B. Verification of theoretical analysis i hrough Simulation
Fig. 8 shows the overall configuration of the proposed
MPPT converter for simulation. This simulation was
accomplished by PSIM.
As shown in Fig. 8, the DLLl is the part of PV-module to
feed all sorts of parameters and the DLLZ is used to vary the
solar irradiation. The power rating of this MPP tracking
converter is 150W. The switching frequency is 1OOKHz. The
simulation was implemented under changing irradiation
conditions shown in Fig. 9.
The analogue sampler samples the open circuit voltage of
PV-module. This sampling time is 1OOus. The switch of
converter should he turned off during this sampling time. The
sampling period is IOms. The about 76% of the sampled open
circuit voltage is constantly kept in a hold circuit as a
reference voltage (V') for the voltage control loop during this
sampling period.
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>Do 4m ern B.m Om 2.m am am I m
, , m. m
am
Trn.VI
(a) The conventional MPP tracking method @)The proposed MPP tracking method
Fie. 11. The waveforms of the ideal and the tracked output power.
I, ......... .......... ..........
,>rn .......... ..........
<2 yl ......... ..........
om
Om 2m 4m ern em
T, m. B Ilrn.rn
(a) The conventional MPP tracking method (b) The proposed MPP tracking method
Fig. 14. The waveforms ofaverage error power between the ideal and the tracked output power.
a
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The output of voltage control loop .produces the
continuously changed reference current (1 ) during one
sampling period for current control loop.
Fig. 10(a) shows the unchanged reference voltage (V)
during one sampling period of the conventional method. On
the other hand, Fig., IO@) shows the continuously changed
reference current (I ) for each switching cycle during one
sampling period of the proposed MPP tracking :method.
These waveforms accord with the theoretical waueforms
shown in Fig. 4 and 7 very well.
Fig. 1 ](a) and (h) show the waveforms of the ideal and the
tracked output power of the conventional and the proposed
MPP tracking method, respectively. Fig. 12(a) and (1)) show
the waveforms of average output power (Pa$ of the
conventional and the proposed MPP tracking method,
respectively. As known by Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, the proposed
method increases the power transferred to the load above 9%
compared with the conventional method.
Fig. 13(a) and (b) show the waveforms of error power
(PeJ between the ideal and the tracked output power of the
conventional and the proposed MPP tracking method,
respectively. Fig. 14(a) and (b) show the waveforms of
average error power (Pav8(cmj ) of the conventional ;and the
proposed MPP tracking method, respectively. As shown in
Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, the proposed method occurs considerably
less error power than the conventional method. Therefore, it
will be thought that the utilization efficiency of PV-module
considerably increases.
V. Conclusion
An improved MPPT converter with current compensation
method for small-scaled photovoltaic-applications was
presented in this paper.
The concept and control principles of the proposed MPP
tracking method were explained in detail. Additionally, the
validity of this method was verified through the simulation
results. As a result, this MPP tracking method increased the
output power above 9% compared with the conventional
method. So, the utilization efficiency of PV-module will be
considerably increased. In addition, because this method
doesnt use DSP, the proposed MPP tracking method has the
merits such as the simple control circuit and th.e cost
efficiency.
Therefore, i t is considered that this MPP tracking inethod
is proper to low power, low cost photovoltaic applications.
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