Design, hardware implementation and performance analysis of conventional SEPIC converter for photovoltaic system applications

Photovoltaic Module has non-linear current-voltage characteristics. The solar cell has only one point at which solar cell gives maximum power called maximum power point (MPP) of a photovoltaic array varies depending on the irradiance levels, array voltage and cell temperature. This paper proposed a highly efficient technique to track the maximum power point at different irradiance levels. This technique is based on Arduino based control unit to control the pulse width modulated DC-DC SEPIC converter. The main attractive feature of this technique is lower complexity, low cost, low input and output current ripple and high efficiency. Due to Ardinuo based calculation, this technique ensured maximum power extract under all conditions. A simulation has been done to charge 12 volt lead acid battery by 100 watts (STP100P6) PV panels in Matlab/Simulink. The simulation result has been experimentally verified at different irradiance level.