Comparative analysis of speed of convergence of MPPT techniques

Abstract

In order to extract maximum power available from a solar cell in a photovoltaic system, maximum power point tracking should be activated. Several maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques have been developed over the past years. In an environment where, varying irradiance levels prevail, time taken to track the maximum power point is important. In this paper, three widely used MPPT tracking techniques are compared with regard to their convergence speed at irradiance disturbances. The results of the simulation study are validated on a laboratory prototype and findings are presented. It has been shown that the incremental conductance method is superior at irradiance transients.