A NOVEL ONLINE MPP SEARCH ALGORITHM FOR PV ARRAYS

A novel maximum power point (MPP) search algorithm for photovoltaic (P V) array systems is introduced. The proposed algorithm determines the maximum power point of a PV array for any temperature and solar irradi ation level using an on-line procedure. The method needs only the on-l ine values of the PV array output voltage and current, which can be ob tained easily by using just current and voltage transducers. The algor ithm requires neither the measurement of temperature and solar irradia tion level nor a PV array model that is mostly used in look-up table b ased algorithms. Satisfactory results were obtained with the proposed algorithm in a laboratory prototype implementation scheme consisting o f a PV array computer emulation model, a chopper controlled permanent magnet de motor, and a DT2827 data acquisition board with the ATLAB so ftware drivers for interfacing.