P&O or IC for PV pumping system: What MPPT algorithm to improve performances?

Abstract

This paper discusses the performance improvement of photovoltaic water pumping system using both P&O and IC MPPT controllers. The efficiency of both proposed MPPT controller has been studied successfully using a DC motor-pump powered by thirty six PV modules fed by DC-DC boost converter controlled using both P&O as well as IC MPPT algorithms. Comparative study results obtained using Matlab/Simulink environment show that the IC outperforms the P&O method in term of convergence speed; while the P&O method presents better performance for the steady state oscillation in case of high level insolation. In case of low level insolation (point C), the steady state oscillations around the MPP point are less in IC compared to those in P&O algorithm.