International Journal of Research in Engineering and Applied Sciences (IJREAS)

DESIGN AND SIMULATION OF MPPT

ALGORITHM FOR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
USING SIMULINK MODEL
R. C. Prasad
prasadrcp@rediffmail.com
Electrical Engineering Department
College of Military Engineering, Pune,
Maharashtra, India

Patil Sahebrao N.
patil_sn@rediffmail.com
Electrical Engineering Department,
Padmabhooshan Vasantadada patil Instituate
of Technology, Bavdhan, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Abstract

In this paper proposes the design modeling and simulation of photovoltaic solar cell model considering the effect of solar irradiations and
temperature changes. The PV array is modeled using basic circuit equations. Its voltage current and power voltage characteristics are
simulated with different conditions. It is noticed that output characteristics of PV array are affected by environmental conditions and
conversion efficiency is low. Therefore a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique is needed to track the peak power to maximize
the produced energy. The maximum power point in the power voltage graph is identified by an algorithm called as incremental conductance
method. This algorithm will identify the suitable duty cycle ratio in which buck boost converter should operate to maximum point. The
simulink model for solar cell, buck boost converter, MPPT algorithm and PID controller circuit is modeled and simulated and results are
verified.
Keywords : Solar cell model, buck boost converter, Maximum power point tracking (MPPT), MPPT algorithm, PID controller model .
1. Introduction

2.

Because of combustion of fossil fuels global warming caused by

environmental problems, the raising prices of crude oils and
natural gases. They promote continuous effort to improve energy
system and its efficiency. There is a need to search for abundant
and clean energy sources due to the depleted and increasing
prices of oil. Solar energy acts as an alternative renewable
energy source.

The working condition of the solar cell depends mainly on the

load and solar isolation. They operate in the open circuit mode
and short circuit mode. Based these characteristics, the output
voltage, current and power can be calculated.[3,5]

PV module represents the fundamental power conversion unit of

a PV generator system. The output characteristics of PV module
depends on the solar insolation, the cell temperature and output
voltage of PV module. Since PV module has nonlinear
characteristics, it is necessary to model it for the design and
simulation of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for PV
system applications. The mathematical PV models used in
computer simulation have been built. [1]- [4]. Developed PV
models describe the output characteristics mainly affected by the
solar insolation, cell temperature, and load voltage. Using the
Sim Power System tool in Matlab/Simulink software develops
and simulates the different models with different conditions.
However, the solar energy is a source of energy and its
availability varies widely with time. So, it is very necessary to
make a complete utilization of solar energy in available time.
Many maximum power point tracking algorithms are available
for a solar panel in order to produce maximum output. It is very
necessary that it is operated consistently at the maximum power
point. The Incremental Conductance Method of MPPT is
described in this paper.

ISSN : 2249-9210

Modeling of Solar PV Cell

Fig.1 - Equivalent Solar cell model

Iph Photodiode current
Vd Diode voltage
Id Diode current
n - Diode factor (1 for ideal and >2 for real conditions)
Io - Reverse saturation current
T - Temperature for the solar arrays panel in kelvin
K Boltzmann's constant = 1.38 x 10-23 J/K
Q Electron charge = 1.6 x 10-19C
Rs Intrinsic series resistance usually in milli-ohms Rsh Shunt
resistance usually in kilo-ohms
The I-V characteristics of a solar cell while neglecting the
internal shunt resistance is given by
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International Journal of Research in Engineering and Applied Sciences (IJREAS)

q
Iout = Iph - Io

exp

nKTln (v + Lout Rs)

-1

In the event that the circuit is shorted indicating that the output
voltage is =0. The current through the diode is being omitted.
The short-circuit current, Isc = I can be represent by

I = Iph -

Rsl
Rsh

Generally with the relationship that exists between Isc and Iph,
the output current is given below. From the relationship, output
current is approximately the almost the same as the
photocurrent.

I = Isc =

Fig. 2 - P-V characteristics of PV cell

3. Designing of Buck Boost Converter

l yh

Buck-Boost converter is combination of a buck and boost

converter. A buck boost converter is a DC-to-DC power
converter with an output voltage either greater or smaller than its
input voltage. It is a combination of the buck converter topology
and a boost converter topology in cascade. The output to input
conversion ratio is also a product of ratios in buck converter and
the boost converter. The output voltage is controlled by
controlling the switch-duty cycle. The term D is the duty ratio
and defined as the ratio of the on time of the switch to the total
switching period. This shows the output voltage to be higher or
lower than the input voltage, based on the duty-ratio D. [5,7]

1+Rs
R sh

When the circuit is in open-circuit mode, the output current I is

=0. At this point, the open-circuit voltage, Voc is calculated.

Voc = Vmax = (

(nkT)
lyh
q+ln+
lo

The output power can be expressed based on the open circuit

voltage and short circuit current.

I = IV =

lph - Id - vd
Rsh

4. incremental Conductance Algorithm for MPPT

The output power of the solar PV module changes with change in
direction of the sun, change in solar insolation level and change
in temperature. There is a single maximum power point in the
PV characteristics of the PV module for particular operating
condition. It is desired that the PV module operates close to this
point, i.e., output of the PV module approaches near to MPP. The
process of operating PV module at this condition is called as
maximum power point tracking (MPPT). Maximization of PV
power improves the utilization of the solar PV module.[6].

=V

The Pmax relationship is also represented in terms of Vmppt.

The Pmax is the maximum output power and Vmppt is the
optimal output voltage.[2]

The most common algorithms the P& O and the incremental

conductance method. The conductance method offers the main
advantage of providing high efficiency under rapidly changing
atmospheric conditions, so it has been employed in the model.

1+qVmppt
Voc
nkT
Voc 1n
+
(qV
+ nkT)
q
mppt
nkT
Pmax = Iph
nkt

qVmppt
1
1n 1 +
Vmppt
nkT

This method is based on the fact that slop of the PV array power
curve is zero at the MPP, increasing on the left of the MPP and
decreasing on the right hand side of MPP.
The algorithm starts by obtaining present values of I(k) and V(k)
and using former values stored at the end of the preceding cycle,
I(k-I) and V (k-I), then judge whether the voltage variable is
zero, if it was zero then judge whether the current variable equals
zero. Then if the current variable is also zero. It means that PV is
operating on the MPP so the conductance should remain same
and the current instruction does not need to change [8].

Iph Photodiode current

Vd Diode voltage

ISSN : 2249-9210

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International Journal of Research in Engineering and Applied Sciences (IJREAS)

Two other checks are included to detect whether a control action
is required when the array was not operating at the MPP; in this
case the change in the atmospheric Conditions is detected using

Model of PV cell is designed by using current controlled voltage

source. PV cell characteristic equations are written as a function.
Solar insolation, ambient temerature and number of series
connected modules are the input to this function. This function
block also takes measured PV cell voltage as input and gives
control current signal to controller current source.

(dI 0) . Now the control signal adjustment will depend on

whether dI is positive or negative, if the incremental change in
current is positive, the voltage instruction should be increased,
otherwise be decreased.
On the other hand there is a condition where the voltage variable
is not zero, another check is carried out by comparing
dI/dV with I/V.

Saturation

+
1

a
k

Diode

Controlled Current Source

1

+
- v

According to the result of this check; the control reference signal

will be adjusted in order to move the array terminal voltage
towards the MPP voltage. At the MPP, no control action is
needed, therefore the adjustment stage will be bypassed and the
algorithm will update the stored parameters at the end of the
cycle as usual. If it was not true then if the conductance variable
is more than the negative variable, the voltage instruction should
be increased, otherwise be decreased.

Sun

Sun

TaC

TaC

Voltage Measurement
I

pvmodule1

NumSerMod

Scope3

Embedded
MATLAB Function

NumSerModules

Fig. 6 - Simulink model for MPPT algorithm

Algorithm for incremental conductance MPPT method is
implemented in SIMULINK. This algorithm block takes PV
voltage and PV current as input and generates reference voltage
command.

1
Scope1

Vn

dV=Vn-Vb

V Filter

V
dV
I

Vb

fcnINC DeltaV
1

dI

Embedded
MATLAB Function

Vmppt = Vmmpt + DeltaV Saturation

D Sample1

Vmppt

2
I
I Filter

In

Vb1

dI=In-Ib

Ib

Fig 7 - Simulink model for PID controller

Error signal between reference voltage signal generated by
MPPT algorithm block and actual voltage is fed to PID
controller. Output control signal is compared with triangular
career to generate pulse width modulated signal (PWM). This
PWM signal is fed to boost converter.

Fig. 3 - Flowchart MPPT Algorithm

5.

Matlab Simulink Models

Parameters for solar model: open circuit voltage-21V, short

circuit current-5A, Power -100 W, reference temp-25 and sun
illumination S=1 ( 1 sun=1000 w/m^2)

Scope1

PID

Vref

Saturation
Discrete
PID Controller1

Simulation model of the complete system consisting of Solar PV

model, boost converter, MPPT model and PID controller model
is as shown below.

>=

Repeating
Sequence1
2
V

Relational
Operator

1
G

???

[Ipv]
Diode

Goto1
L

[IL]

+ -i
Current

+ -i
Current1

Scope2

Goto2

Fig 8 - PWM Block

TaC

Sun

[Vpv]

C1

IGBT

Goto

25

+v
Voltage

Load R

Sun

+
- v
Voltage1

[VL]
Goto3

Subsystem2

Temp

6. Simulation Results
[Vpv]

From1

Based on the algorithm, the simulation was carried using dc-dc

converter system implemented with SimPower Systems toolbox
of MATLAB/Simulink model with different conditions.

Vref
Vmppt

From2
[Ipv]

MPPT_INC

Control
[Vpv]
From13

Fig. 4 - Simlink model for PV cell

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International Journal of Research in Engineering and Applied Sciences (IJREAS)

converter along with MPPT algorithm can be used as a reference
for implementation of actual system.
References
[1]

Mohan, Undeland, Robbins, Power Electronics: Converters,

Applications, and Design, Wiley (Third Edition)

[2]

Muhammad Harunur Rashid, Power Electronics Circuits, Devices, and

Application, Parentice Hall.

[3]

T.Markvart, Solar Electricity, John Wiley & Sons,1994.

[4]

R. Messenger and J. Ventre, Photovoltaic Systems Engineering, CRC

Press, 2000, pp.41-51.

[5]

G. R.Walker and P. C. Sernia, Cascaded DC- DC converter connection

of photovoltaic modules, IEEE Trans Power Electronics., vol. 19, no.
4, pp. 11301139, Jul. 2004.

[6]

Roberto F. Coelho, Filipe Concer, Denizar C. Martins, A Study of Basic

DC-DC Converters Applied in Maximum Power Point Tracking,
Proceedings of IEEE 2009 Conference, ISBN : 978- 1-4244-3370-4, pp.
673-677.

[7]

Doug Mattingly, Designing Stable Compensation Networks for Single

Phase Voltage Mode Buck Regulators, Intersil, Technical Brief Dec2003.

[8]

Tseng, Ching-Jung and Chen, Novel PWM converters with active

snabbers, IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, Vol-13, No.- 5, sept
1998 pp.861-869.

[9]

Xue, Y., Chang, L., Baekhj Kjaer, S., Bordonau, J. and Shimizu,
T.,Topologies of single-phase converters for small distributed power
generators: an overview, IEEE Trans. Power Electronics, vol. 19, pp.
1305-1314, Sept. 2004.

[10]

A. Safari, and S. Mekhilef, Simulation and Hardware Implementation of

Incremental Conductance MPPT with Direct Control Method Using Cuk
Converter, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 58, pp.
1154 -1161, April 2011.

Fig. 9 - Current-Voltage Characteristics

Fig. 10 - Power- Voltage characteristics

S.N. Patil was born in Latur ,India on 01 Jan

1977. S.N. Patil received B.E. in Electrical,
Electronics and power from SRTM
university, Nanded and M.E. Electrical
Power System from Govt. College of Engg.
Pune and currently he is research scholar of
singhania university and has been working
as Asst. Prof. in Electrical Engg. Dept. of
Padmabhooshan Vasantdada Patil Institute
of Technology, Pune. He has interest in the Power Electronics
and Drives, DSP, Hybrid Energy System.
Fig. 11 - I-V and P-V characteristics

Dr. R.C. Prsad is working as Professor in

Electrical Engg. Department of College of
Military Engineering , Pune. Dr. R.C.
Prasad received M.E. Electrical from NIT,
Jamshedpur
and PhD in Electrical
Engineering from G.B. Pant University of
Agri. & Technology, Pantnagar. He has 23
years teaching and 2 years of Industrial
experience. He has interest in the Power
Electronics and Drives, High voltage Engg., Power quality and
Hybrid Energy System.

7. Conclusion
In this paper complete model of the PV system containing solar
PV cell, DC-DC converter and MPPT control is simulated in
SIMULINK. The I-V and P-V characteristics of solar module are
obtained for different values of insolation and temperature. The
maximum power is obtained using Incremental Conductance
method. It is observed that the characteristics obtained using this
method is matching with the theoretical and simulations. Also
from this model, maximum value of voltage Vmp, maximum
value of current Imp and maximum value of power Pmax are
obtained. Thus the proposed simulation model of DC-DC
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IJREAS, Vol. 02, Issue 01, Jan 2014