Photovoltaic maximum power point search method using a light sensor

Mariusz Ostrowski

doi:10.1117/12.2178714

1 May 2015 Photovoltaic maximum power point search method using a light sensor

Mariusz Ostrowski

Proceedings Volume 9516, Integrated Optics: Physics and Simulations II; 95160D (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2178714
Event: SPIE Optics + Optoelectronics, 2015, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

The main disadvantage of PV panels is their low efficiency and non-linear current-voltage characteristic. Both of the above depend on the insolation and the temperature. That is why, it is necessary to use the maximum power point search systems. Commonly used solutions vary not only in complexity and accuracy but also in the speed of searching the maximum power point. Usually, the measurement of current and voltage is used to determine the maximum power point. The most common in literature are the perturb and observe and incremental conductance methods. The disadvantage of these solutions is the need to search across the whole current-voltage curve, which results in a significant power loss. In order to prevent it, the techniques mentioned above are combined with other methods. This procedure determines the starting point of one of the above methods and results in shortening the search time. Modern solutions use the temperature measurement to determine the open circuit voltage. The simulations show that the voltage in the maximum power point depends mainly on the temperature of the photovoltaic panel, and the current depends mainly on the lighting conditions. The proposed method uses the measurement of illuminance and calculates the current at the maximum power point, which is used as a reference signal in power conversion system. Due to the non-linearity of the light sensor and of the photovoltaic panel, the relation between them cannot be determined directly. Therefore, the proposed method use the modified correlation function to calculate current corresponding to the light.

Citation Download Citation

Mariusz Ostrowski "Photovoltaic maximum power point search method using a light sensor", Proc. SPIE 9516, Integrated Optics: Physics and Simulations II, 95160D (1 May 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2178714

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