A new MPPT method for Photovoltaic generation systems based on Hill Climbing algorithm

Abstract

This paper presents a new method for MPPT in photovoltaic systems based on "Hill Climbing" algorithm. According to the proposed method cube of slope of power vs. voltage (P-V) curve is calculated in each calculation step. Through this calculation both the direction of photovoltaic's (PV) voltage change and the step size of this change are resulted without making any slope or sign control. Moreover, a way to apply this method in PV systems which are consisted of Ns in series and Np in parallel connection PV arrays with high installed nominal power is proposed. A DC to DC buck-boost converter is used in connection with PV arrays for achieving operation in maximum power point and keeping output voltage constant. The whole system is simulated using Matlab/Simulink and simulation results are presented and analyzed.