Maximizing PV Performance: MPPT using

Incremental conductance

Chunuram Dubraj Murmu(120EE0489), Avinash Kumar Pandey(120EE0492)

Abstract

Solar power is a rapidly growing source of renewable energy. Photovoltaic (PV) cells
are the key components of solar power systems, and they convert light energy directly
into electrical energy. This report covers the basics of solar power, including PV cell
operation, equivalent circuits, power/voltage/current characteristics, and maximum
power point tracking (MPPT) controllers. It also discusses boost converters,
transformer advantages, general PV system design, insolation angle tilting, and islanded
mode of operation (microgrids). The report concludes that solar power is a clean and
renewable energy source with a bright future.

Keywords: solar power, PV cell, equivalent circuit, MPPT controller, boost converter,
transformer, general PV system design, insolation angle tilting, islanded mode of
operation, microgrid.

I. Introduction

Solar energy is a clean and renewable source of energy that can be used to generate electricity
for a variety of applications. Photovoltaic (PV) cells are semiconductor devices that convert
light energy directly into electrical energy. PV cells are relatively inexpensive to manufacture
and have no moving parts, so they are very reliable. They also require very little maintenance,
making them a cost-effective option for generating electricity.

The main advantage of PV cells is that they are environmentally friendly. They do not
produce any greenhouse gases or other pollutants, so they help to improve air quality and
reduce the risk of climate change.
II. Basic Design of General PV System Design

A general PV system design consists of PV panels, MPPT controller, Inverter, Battery bank
and charge controller (optional), Load. The PV panels are used to convert light energy into
electrical energy. The MPPT controller tracks the MPP of the PV panels and ensures that they
are operating at their maximum efficiency. The inverter converts the DC output of the PV
panels to AC electricity. The battery bank (optional) stores energy from the PV panels so that
it can be used at night or when the PV panels are not producing enough electricity. The
charge controller is use to protect the battery form overcharging and decide when battery is to
be connected.

Fig 1: Simple PV system

III. PV Cell Equivalent Circuit

Fig 2: PV cell equivalent circuit

The equivalent circuit consists of an ideal current source in parallel with a diode in reverse
bias, both of which are connected to a series resistance and a shunt resistance. The ideal
current source represents the photocurrent generated by the PV cell, which is proportional to
the amount of insolation on the cell. The diode represents the p-n junction in the PV cell,
which prevents current from flowing from the p-doped layer to the n-doped layer. The series
resistance represents the internal resistance of the PV cell, and the shunt resistance represents
the leakage current through the PV cell.

The open circuit voltage and short circuit current can be calculated using equation:

(1)

(2)

Where is the photocurrent generated by the PV cell, is the saturation current of the
diode, is the series resistance of the PV cell, µ is ideality constant, k is boltzman
constant,T is temperature,q is charge ( ).
Power/Voltage/Current of PV Cell

The voltage and current output of a PV cell depend on the amount of insolation (L) on the
cell, the temperature (T) of the cell, and the load connected to the cell. The (V, I) point where
maximum power can be extracted from PV cell is call Maximum Power Point (MPP). To
operate the PV cell around this point, (V, I) should be controlled.

IV. Solar Panel Tilt Angle

Sun is located in different positions in different time zones during the year, position is
constantly changing during day. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate an optimal tilt angle.

The optimal tilt angle (β) depends on the latitude (λ) of the installation site and the time of
year. In general, the optimal tilt angle for a PV system in the winter is equal to the latitude
plus 15o and during summer the optimal tilt angle is equal to the latitude minus 15 o. For
improved general rule we can follow below equation:

β = λ×0.9 +¿ 29o for winter days (3)

β = λ×0.9 −¿ 29o for summer days (4)

V. Incremental Conductance MPPT controller

A maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller is a device that tracks the MPP of a PV
cell and ensures that the PV cell is operating at its maximum power output. MPPT controllers
are typically used in solar power systems to maximize the power output of the solar panels.

A. Incremental Conductance Method

The incremental conductance algorithm proposed by Dr. G. N. Waler detects the slope of the
P–V curve and tracks the MPP by searching the peak of the curve. If the conductance at the
next voltage level is greater than the conductance at the current operating point, then the
MPPT controller increases the duty cycle. If the conductance at the next voltage level is less
than the conductance at the current operating point, then the MPPT controller decreases the
duty cycle. This process is repeated until the MPPT controller finds the point where the
current conductance and predicted conductance are equal.
Figure 1: output power from PV panel using original incremental conductance in fast changing
insolation

B. Modified Incremental Conductance Method

The below modification is proposed by Satabdi Bhattacharya and Susovon Samanta to

mitigate the drifting of Incremental Conductance MPPT due to fast changing of Irradiation.
Figure 3: output of modified incremental conductance by Susovon Samanta and Satabdi Bhattacharya
in fast changing insolation

VI. Islanded Mode of Operation (Microgrid)

Islanded mode of operation in a microgrid means that the microgrid is disconnected from the
main grid's distribution system. This can happen after a grid failure or as scheduled. In
islanded mode, the microgrid operates independently and there is no support from the grid.

In islanded mode, the microgrid works as a voltage controller and is responsible for: Voltage
control, Power sharing, Balancing. The role of power sharing features is to ensure that all
modules share the load according to their rating and availability of power from their energy
source. An islanded mode of operation is a mode of operation in which a PV system is not
connected to the grid. This allows the PV system to continue to operate even if the grid is
down.

Islanded mode of operation is typically used for microgrids. A microgrid is a small-scale

power grid that can operate independently of the main grid. Microgrids are often used to
provide power to remote areas or to provide backup power during grid outages.

Conclusion

Solar power is a clean and renewable source of energy that has the potential to meet a
significant portion of the world's energy needs. PV cells are the basic building block of solar
panels, and they convert sunlight directly into electricity.

MPPT controllers are used to maximize the power output of PV systems, and power
electronic converters are used to convert electrical energy from one form to another.
Transformers are used to transfer electrical energy from one circuit to another using
electromagnetic induction.

The type of transformer that is appropriate to use depends on the specific application. If the
application requires a single-phase power source, then a single-phase transformer should be
used. If the application requires a three-phase power source, then a three-phase transformer
should be used.
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