IJSTE - International Journal of Science Technology & Engineering | Volume 2 | Issue 08 | February 2016

ISSN (online): 2349-784X

Performance Evaluation of Maximum Power

Point Tracking Algorithm with Boost DC-DC
Converter for Solar PV System
Ahteshamul Haque
Department of Electrical Engineering
Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi-25

Abstract
Solar Energy is seen as the most reliable source among renewable energy sources (RES). Solar Photovoltaic (PV) is used to
convert solar energy into unregulated electrical energy. Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm is used to extract
maximum power from solar PV. Power electronics DC DC converter plays a very important role in implementing MPPT
algorithm. The objective of this work is to analyze the working of MPPT technique with boost DC DC converter. The
simulation work is done by using PSIM simulation software.
Keywords: MPPT, Solar PV, Power Electronics, Boost Converter, PSIM
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I.

INTRODUCTION

Energy Crisis and climate change threats leads the researchers to look for alternate sources of energy [1-3]. The world is virtually
on the hunt of promising renewable and sustainable sources of energy. In recent years, renewable energy sources like solar,
wind, tidal, have attracted the researchers, as it is limitless, non-pollutant and available free of cost. Solar energy is considered as
the most reliable source among RES. Due to technological advancement in power electronics and reduction in the manufacturing
cost of PV cell, solar energy is becoming more promising source of energy [4-8]. Solar PV exhibits nonlinear characteristics and
its efficiency is also low. It becomes essential to extract maximum power from solar PV under all ambient conditions. MPPT
(Maximum Power Point Tracking) algorithm is used to extract maximum power from solar PV [9-10]. The MPPT is
implemented in the control circuit of Power electronics converters. A converter without MPPT system only regulates the output
voltage of PV module, but it does not ensure that PV system is operating at the maximum power point MPP [11]. The operation
of MPPT depends on the type of converter used [12-14]. In this paper a boost dc-dc converter is used and the performance of
MPPT is evaluated.
II. SOLAR PV CHARACTERISTIC

Fig. 1: Equivalent model of PV Cell

Fig. 2: Solar PV Power Characteristics with different Solar Irradiation level

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Performance Evaluation of Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithm with Boost DC-DC Converter for Solar PV System
(IJSTE/ Volume 2 / Issue 08 / 049)

PV cells are the basic element of solar PV system. Modules are formed using these modules. It is further expanded in the form of
arrays as per the power requirements. These PV cells exhibit nonlinear characteristics. The output of the PV cell varies with solar
irradiation and with ambient temperature. The equivalent circuit model of PV cell given in Fig (1). The characteristic equation of
PV cell based on this model is given by equation 1, 2 and 3 [3].
I = Iph Ios {exp [(q/AKT) (V + I Rs)] 1} - (V +I*Rs)/Rp
(1)
Ios = Ior exp [q EGO/ Bk ((1/Tr) (1/T))] [T/Tr]3
(2)
Iph = S [Isc + KI (T- 25)]/100
(3)
Where I am the PV module output current, V is the PV cell output voltage, R p is the parallel resistor, Rs is the series resistor.
Ios is the PV module reversal saturation current, A, B are ideality factors, T is temperature ( oC), k is boltzmanns constant, Iph is
the light-generated current, q is electronic charge, KI is short-circuit current temperature coefficient at I SC. S is solar irradiation
(W/m2), ISC is short-circuit current at 25oC and 1000 W/m2, EGO is bandgap energy for silicon, T r is reference temperature and Ior
is saturation current at temperature T r. The plot of solar PV output power is shown in Fig (2). It can be seen that the power and
current varies non-linearly with the variation in solar irradiation and with ambient temperature.
III. P&O MPPT TECHNIQUE
Perturb and observe (P&O) method is a MPPT scheme proposed by researchers. In perturb and observe method the perturbation
is applied either in the reference voltage or in the reference current signal of the solar PV. The flow chart of the P&O method is
shown in Fig 3. In this chart Y is shown as the reference signal. It could be either solar PV voltage or current. The main aim is to
reach to the MPP. To achieve it the system operating point is changed by applying a small perturbation (Y) in solar PV
reference signal. After each perturbation the power output is measured. If the value of power measured is more than the previous
value then the perturbation in reference signal is continued in the same direction. At any point if the new value of solar PV
power is measured less than the previous one then perturbation is to apply in the opposite direction. This process is continued till
MPP is reached. In [8] the P&O method uses the solar PV panel current as a reference signal. The issue with this method is it
becomes oscillatory around MPP. Table 1 gives the summary of P&O MPPT method.
Table - 1
Summary of the Perturb & Observe MPPT Method
Perturbation Change in Power Next Perturbation
Positive
Positive
Positive
Positive
Negative
Negative
Negative
Positive
Negative
Negative
Negative
Negative

Fig. 3: Flowchart Diagram of the conventional Perturb & Observe MPPT method

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Performance Evaluation of Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithm with Boost DC-DC Converter for Solar PV System
(IJSTE/ Volume 2 / Issue 08 / 049)

IV. BOOST DC DC CONVERTER

Fig. 4: Schemtaic of Boost DC DC converter

S.No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Table 2
Parameters of DC-DC BOOST Converter
Name of the Parameter
Values
Vin
VMPP : when MPP is working
MOSFET
20A, 600V
DIODE
12A, 1000V
Lboost
1mH, 15A Saturation
Cboost
1000 uF
Vo
Based on duty cycle expression
RLOAD
Variable
Frequency
20 kHz
Power Output
40W

The schematic of boost converter is shown in Fig. 4. The specifications of components are shown in Table I. The boost
converter is designed to work in continuous conduction mode. The relationship between boost converter input and output is
given by:
Vo = Vin/ (1-D)
(4)
V. MPPT WITH BOOST DC-DC CONVERTER

Fig. 5: Block Diagram of Boost DC DC converter

Fig. 6: MPP Zone on I-V Curve

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Performance Evaluation of Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithm with Boost DC-DC Converter for Solar PV System
(IJSTE/ Volume 2 / Issue 08 / 049)

Fig. 7: Rin Vs Duty Cycle

Rin = Ro (1-D2)
(5)
The block diagram of boost dc-dc converter with MPPT is shown in Fig. 5. The MPP zone for boost converter is shown in Fig.
6. The variation of input impedance with duty cycle is shown in Fig. 7. Equation 5 is the relationship between input and out
impedances with duty cycle. The MPPT will be working with boost converter between B and C in Fig. 6, where Rload >> R MPP.
The MPPT will not be working between A and B. These zones are decided by equation 5.
VI. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Pmax (W)
40
30
20
10
0
Po (W)
40

30

20

10
0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

Time (s)

Fig. 8: MPP Working for BOOST Converter when RLOAD > RMPP.
Pmax (W)
44
42
40
38
36
34
Po (W)
20
15
10
5
0
0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

Time (s)

Fig. 9: MPP Failed for BOOST Converter when RLOAD < RMPP.

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263

Performance Evaluation of Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithm with Boost DC-DC Converter for Solar PV System
(IJSTE/ Volume 2 / Issue 08 / 049)

Fig. 8 and 9 are simulation results. Fig. 8 shows that MPPT is working R LOAD > RMPP. The maximum PV power and Load
power is almost same. Fig. 9 shows that MPPT is failed when RLOAD < RMPP. The power is much lower than MPP power of solar
PV. These results shows that entire PV characteristic cannot be MPPT working zone with boost DC DC converter.
VII. CONCLUSION
The main objective of the paper is to evaluate the performance of MPPT with boost DC DC converter in terms of MPPT
working zone. The MPPT with boost dc-dc converter is analyzed and simulation results are presented. It is evident that MPPT is
not function in the entire zone of PV characteristic curve.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The research work of this paper is done by using the instruments purchased under MNRE R&D project sanctioned.
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