Optimum Power Point Tracking for PV Array Using Extremum Seeking Approach

The Objective of the project is to obtain the optimum power point tracking (OPPT) control for stand-alone solar power generation systems. A maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm is used to obtain the optimum value of voltage and current from the solar array according to the load variations. Converters for photovoltaic (PV) systems consist of a dc/dc converter. Therefore, only part of the produced electrical energy is utilized. MPPT controller is proposed to achieve asymptotic MPPT control, in which the observer and controller Gains are obtained by separately solving two sets of linear matrix inequalities by using MatLab simulation. In a brief the functioning of the system to be implemented may be summarized as follows. The output from the solar array (V/I) is given to a dc to dc converter. The switching times (ON/OFF times) of this DC-DC converter is controlled by PWM output obtained from an MPPT controller, which takes input from the same solar array. This is required to match the impedances on the load side and the input side (solar array) this will ensure maximum power output even for large variations of the load under varying irradiance conditions. Combination of mechanical and electrical tracking is used to improve the efficiency.