A new approach of variable step-size maximum power point tracking algorithm used in photovoltaic systems

Abstract

To exploit the maximum power generated by the photovoltaic (PV) panel, it is necessary to use the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller. The main concern of MPPT algorithms is how to reach the maximum power point (MPP) quickly with less oscillation. To achieve this objective, this paper studies and compares the performance of different MPPT algorithms with a new proposed criterion of variable step size in terms of convergence speed towards the MPP and reduced oscillations around it. The proposed method utilizes a simple way to build multi-operating zones. In each field, the step size depends on the closeness to the MPP. The simulation results are obtained under Proteus and Arduino software; we use physical security information management (PSIM) software for the modeling of the PV panel and MATLAB software to display the comparative results between the different algorithms.