A simple-novel indirect algorithm for tracking maximum power under rapid or slow irradiation and temperature changes

Abstract

A novel indirect method for maximum power point tracking is proposed in this study. The proposed method, utilizing the linear relationship between the solar irradiation and the maximum power point current, directly provides the maximum power point current and hence the maximum power points trajectory. Therefore it does not require utilization of any search algorithm. Also it has been investigated that the maximum power point current is almost independent of the solar module temperature. Due to this interesting behavior, the proposed method has also superior response for the solar modules working under large temperature ranges. Therefore it has significant advantage over the conventional indirect methods using short circuit current or open circuit voltage. The proposed method is implemented on a boost type converter in MATLAB simulation environment and showed better results in terms of stability and power harvested from the solar module. The method is suitable for the solar systems such as used with micro-inverters.