Improved P&O algorithm for distributed MPPT PV configurations

Abstract

The photovoltaic (PV) power generation systems have a variable efficiency due to mismatching conditions, such as a partial shading condition. To compensate this situation, the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) systems are used to search the operating point that results in a maximum power extraction from the PV system. Thus, the present paper proposes and analyses an alternative to the well-known MPPT algorithm Perturb & Observe (P&O), which is based on the bisection numerical method. In this way, the efficiency and tracking speed of the modified P&O can be greatly improved as illustrated in the numerical evaluation presented in this paper.