ABSTRACT
The non-linearity of photovoltaic systems and the change in maximum power point with a level of insolation and temperature complicates the tracking of the maximum power point. Several maximum power point tracker methods have been proposed and implemented in literature. The paper studies a modified perturb and observe (P&O) approach for a photovoltaic system in order to extract the maximum power point with more precision, fast speed and avoid the problems caused by the classic P&O method under the change of climatic conditions. This work is tested with a resistive load powered by a photovoltaic generator via a DC/DC converter. These methods are implemented with STM32F4 microcontroller running environment MATLAB/SIMULINK, using a computer incorporating a card DS1104 for visualization. The simulations and experimental results show that the proposed algorithm offers a fast response with smaller stationary oscillations compared to conventional methods.
Acknowledgments
This work was performed under the direction of Professor Othman Hasnaoui. The hardware used and the results are all taken within the research unit ERCO INSAT – Tunisia.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Rabiaa Gammoudi
Rabiaa Gammoudi was born in Tunisia in 1989. She is a PhD student in electrical engineering at Higher National School of Tunis Engineer (ENSIT). She is now a university professor at Higher National School of Tunis Engineer (ENSIT). Her research interests are renewable energy, electrical machines, power electronics, microcontroller and power system dynamics and control. E-mail: [email protected]
Houda Brahmi
Houda Brahmi received from the University of Carthage, INSAT, Tunisia, the electrical engineer degree and the PhD in electrical engineering in February 2003 and March 2010, respectively. Since September 2006, she worked at the Electrical Engineering Department of the Higher Institute of Medical Technology. Her research work is mainly in the field of electrical networks, renewable energies and static converters. E-mail: [email protected]
Othman Hasnaoui
Othman Hasnaoui was born in Kef, Tunisia, in 1954. He received PhD in electrical engineering from ENSET, University of Tunis, 1987. He is now professor at Higher National School of Tunis Engineer. He manages research in the field of electrical machines, power electronics, control techniques and renewable energy.
P.A: Othman Hasnaoui, Professor at ENSIT. 5 Avenue Taha Hussein 1008 Tunis. E-Mail: [email protected]