Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for photovoltaic system

Abstract

This thesis presents a theoretical study of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for photovoltaic (PV) system. The study includes discussion of various MPPT algorithms and perform comparative tests of the two popular MPPT algorithms (the Perturbation and Observation algorithm and the Incremental and Conductance algorithm) using actual irradiance data. Some important applications of the MPPT for different loads are described; first the PV system with resistive load is discussed, the modeling and the simulation of the PV generator and the DC/DC converter is carried out using MATLAB software. After that a .study of PV water pumping system has been undertaken using DC motor and AC motor. A comparison between the performance of those systems with and without MPPT in terms of PV total energy produced and total volume of water pumped per day is carried out. Results show that MPPT can very significantly improve the performance of PV pumping system