Zero Oscillation and Irradiance Slope Tracking for Photovoltaic MPPT

TLDR: The proposed zero-oscillation adaptive step P&O strategy combines three techniques to improve steady-state behavior and transient operation and achieves superior overall performance while maintaining simplicity of implementation.

Abstract: Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) strategies in photovoltaic (PV) systems ensure efficient utilization of PV arrays. Among different strategies, the perturb and observe (PO 2) identification of the irradiance change through a natural perturbation; and 3) a simple multilevel adaptive tracking step. Two key elements, which form the foundation of the proposed solution, are investigated: 1) the suppression of the artificial perturb at the MPP; and 2) the indirect identification of irradiance change through a current-monitoring algorithm, which acts as a natural perturbation. The zero-oscillation adaptive step P&O strategy builds on these mechanisms to identify relevant information and to produce efficiency gains. As a result, the combined techniques achieve superior overall performance while maintaining simplicity of implementation. Simulations and experimental results are provided to validate the proposed strategy, and to illustrate its behavior in steady and transient operations.