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 Buck-Boost DcDc Converter for Solar PV System
Ahteshamul Haque
Department of Electrical Engineering
Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi-25

Abstract
Maximum power point tracking is used in solar PV energy conversion system to extract maximum power from solar PV
(Photovoltaic). MPPT algorithm is implemented in the control circuit of Power electronics DC-DC converters. The behavior of
MPPT depends upon the type of the type of DC DC converter used. The objective of this paper is to analyze the working of
MPPT with buck-boost DC DC converter. The simulation is study is done by using PSIM simulation software.
Keywords: MPPT, Solar PV, Power Electronics, Buck-Boost Converter, PSIM
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I.

INTRODUCTION

Global Energy Crisis and climate change threats leads the researchers to look for alternate sources of energy [1-2]. Solar Energy
is considered as the most reliable source among all renewable energy sources (RES) [3-8]. Solar PV is used to convert solar
energy into electrical energy. 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 [1214]. In this paper a buck-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 Buck-Boost Dc-Dc Converter for Solar PV System
(IJSTE/ Volume 2 / Issue 08 / 048)

The basic element of solar PV system is PV cells. These cells are connected to form 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, K I is short-circuiting 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 Buck-Boost Dc-Dc Converter for Solar PV System
(IJSTE/ Volume 2 / Issue 08 / 048)

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 II
Parameters of DC-DC BOOST Converter
Name of the Parameter
Values
Vin
VMPP : when MPP is working
MOSFET
20A, 600V
DIODE
12A, 1000V
L
1mH, 15A Saturation
C
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 = D Vin/ (1-D)
(4)
V. MPPT WITH BOOST DC-DC CONVERTER

Fig. 5: Block Diagram of Buck -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 Buck-Boost Dc-Dc Converter for Solar PV System
(IJSTE/ Volume 2 / Issue 08 / 048)

Fig. 7: Rin Vs Duty Cycle

The block diagram of buck - boost dc-dc converter with MPPT is shown in Fig. 5. The MPP zone for buck -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 buck -boost converter between B and C in Fig. 6,
where Rload >> RMPP. The MPPT will be working between A and B. The MPPT will be working for the entire range on solar PV
characteristic.
VI. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Pmax (W)
39.5
39.48
39.46
39.44
39.42
39.4
Po (W)
40
30
20
10
0
0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

Time (s)

Fig. 8: MPP Working for Buck -BOOST Converter when RLOAD > RMPP.
Pmax (W)
44
42
40
38
36
34
Po (W)
40
30
20
10
0
0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

Time (s)

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

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Performance Evaluation of Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithm with Buck-Boost Dc-Dc Converter for Solar PV System
(IJSTE/ Volume 2 / Issue 08 / 048)

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 working when RLOAD < RMPP. The power is same as MPP power of solar PV.
These results shows that entire PV characteristic is MPPT working zone with buck - boost DC DC converter.
VII. CONCLUSION
The main objective of the paper is to evaluate the performance of MPPT with buck- boost DC DC converter in terms of MPPT
working zone. The MPPT with buck -boost dc-dc converter is analysed and simulation results are presented. It is evident that
MPPT is functional 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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