Application Report

SLUA586 – January 2011

Maximum Power Point Tracking With the bq24650 Charger

Jared Casey ....................................................................................................... BMS Battery Charge

ABSTRACT
This application report describes a solution to track the maximum power point of a solar panel using a
negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor with the bq24650. The basic functionality of a solar
panel is described. The use of a spreadsheet tool to aid in the setup process is described as well.

Contents
1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 2
2 Spreadsheet Overview ..................................................................................................... 5
3 Solar Panel Example Using Spreadsheet ............................................................................... 8
3.1 Solar Panel Specifications ........................................................................................ 8
3.2 Thermistor Specifications ......................................................................................... 9
3.3 Graph Specifications ............................................................................................. 10
3.4 Further User Interaction ......................................................................................... 10
4 References ................................................................................................................. 13

List of Figures
1 bq24650 Typical Application Circuit ...................................................................................... 2
2 LR0GC02 I-V Curve ........................................................................................................ 3
3 Solar Panel Characteristics vs Temperature ............................................................................ 4
4 MPP Tracking Resistor Network Schematic ............................................................................. 5
5 Top Section of Spreadsheet Tool ......................................................................................... 6
6 Bottom Section of Spreadsheet Tool ..................................................................................... 7
7 Graph Section of Spreadsheet Tool ...................................................................................... 8
8 Solar Panel Specifications ................................................................................................. 9
9 Thermistor Specifications ................................................................................................. 10
10 Graph Specifications ...................................................................................................... 10
11 User Prompt ................................................................................................................ 11
12 Initial State of Graphs ..................................................................................................... 11
13 Updated Graphs Based on User-Chosen Resistor Values .......................................................... 12
14 VMP Change Over Temperature Results ................................................................................ 12

List of Tables
1 Typical Solar Panel Characteristics ...................................................................................... 2
2 LR0GC02 Characteristics .................................................................................................. 8

Excel is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

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1 Introduction
The bq24650 is a highly integrated, switch-mode, battery charge controller that is capable of using a solar
panel as the input power source. The bq24650 has the ability to aid in tracking the solar panel’s maximum
power point with the use of the MPPSET pin. Figure 1 shows the typical application circuit of the bq24650
controller.

Figure 1. bq24650 Typical Application Circuit

A solar panel consists of a number of interconnected solar cells. The individual solar cells are responsible
for converting light into electricity. Solar cells electrically connected in series increase the output voltage
while connecting solar cells electrically in parallel increase the output current. When dealing with a solar
panel, an important concept to understand is the maximum power point (MPP) of the solar panel. Every
solar panel has a specific voltage and current at which the panel can provide maximum power. The MPP
can be seen from the solar panel’s I-V curve. With no output current, the solar cell voltage is at its
maximum value, but the output power is 0 W. As the current pulled from the solar panel increases, the
solar panel’s output voltage decreases. This behavior leads to a desirable situation called the MPP
(maximum power point) where the panel delivers maximum power. However, if current continues to be
pulled from the solar panel past the optimum point, the solar panel’s voltage begins to drop dramatically
until the voltage goes to 0 V and simultaneously reducing the output power to 0 W. Along with the I-V
curve and other graphical data, solar panel manufacturers typically provide the information found in
Table 1 along with test conditions like temperature and irradiance.

Table 1. Typical Solar Panel Characteristics

CHARACTERISTIC DESCRIPTION
Open-Circuit Voltage (VOC) Solar panel with no load
Short-Circuit Current (ISC) Solar panel current without voltage
Maximum Power Point Voltage (VMP) Solar panel voltage at maximum power point typically specified at 25°C
Maximum Power Point Current (IMP) Solar panel current at maximum power point typically specified at 25°C
Maximum Power (PMAX) Solar panel maximum power typically specified at 25°C

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The solar panel referenced in this application report is the LR0GC02 solar panel created by Sharp.
Figure 2 shows the solar panel’s I-V curve. Power is represented by the dotted lines.

Figure 2. LR0GC02 I-V Curve

Figure 2 shows how the irradiance affects the maximum power output from the panel. Temperature is
another variable that affects the maximum output power of the panel. Figure 3 shows the LR0GC02 solar
panel’s characteristics over temperature.

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Figure 3. Solar Panel Characteristics vs Temperature

Figure 3 displays the maximum power voltage (VMP) with the dotted orange trace, the maximum power
current (IMP) with the dotted purple trace, the maximum power (PMAX) with the solid purple trace, the
open-circuit voltage (VOC) with the solid blue trace and the short-circuit current (ISC) with the solid green
trace. Each characteristic, VMP, IMP, ISC, VOC, and PMAX, are plotted over temperature with respect to their
value at 25°C. Each characteristic’s trace intersects the 100% mark of the y-axis at the 25°C mark of the
x-axis. Table 2 verifies this information. A solar panel’s temperature coefficient provides information on
how a specified characteristic changes over temperature. Ideally the open-circuit voltage (VOC) slope
matches the maximum power voltage (VMP) slope, and the short-circuit current (ISC) slope matches the
maximum power current (IMP). For the purpose of this application report and the Excel™ spreadsheet tool,
the temperature coefficient refers to the slope of the MPP voltage (VMP) with respect to temperature.
When using a solar panel, it is desirable to select an operating point that provides the maximum output
power. Charger ICs like the bq24650 incorporate MPPSET circuitry to provide this functionality. Resistors
R3 and R4 in Figure 1 define a minimum operating voltage for the solar panel. As the bq24650 pulls
current from the solar panel to charge the battery, the solar panel output voltage drops. The MPPSET
circuitry becomes active if the solar panel voltage drops below the set point. This circuitry reduces the
charge current to regulate the solar panel VMP which maximizes power. With the setup of R3 and R4 in
Figure 1, the VMP of the solar panel is set for a specific temperature, typically 25°C. Due to the VMP
changing with temperature, optimizing the bq24650 setup for a specific temperature inhibits the solar
panel from operating at the proper VMP point if the temperature varies. However, by using a negative
temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor, a low-cost solution has been developed that allows the VMP to be
tracked over temperature. Figure 4 shows the setup.

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Figure 4. MPP Tracking Resistor Network Schematic

The resistance value of the thermistor varies with temperature. This characteristic of the thermistor is what
allows the circuit in Figure 4 to adjust the VMP of the solar panel when the temperature varies. It is
necessary to use a NTC thermistor because as temperature increases the solar panels VMP decreases.
Figure 3 displays this characteristic of the solar panel. A NTC thermistor decreases in resistance as the
temperature increases; conversely, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor increases in
resistance as the temperature increases. Because the MPPSET pin must be regulated to 1.2 V, and the
voltage supplied by the solar panel decreases as the temperature increases, Equation 1 shows that a
NTC thermistor is necessary to properly track the VMP.
V ´ REQ
VMPPSET = IN
REQ + RB
(1)
Where:
REQ = RP || RNTC + RS
VMPPSET = bq24650 maximum power point set voltage (fixed at 1.2 V)
VIN = the solar cell’s operating voltage
RP and RS are necessary due to how the thermistor’s resistance varies logarithmically over temperature.
The added parallel and series resistance helps to make the total change in resistance, REQ, over
temperature more linear. This allows the circuit to match the linear characteristic of the solar panel’s VMP
over temperature. In order to solve for the optimal parallel and series resistance values, some complex
mathematical analysis is required. To make the process of finding the optimal values easier, an Excel
spreadsheet has been developed. The spreadsheet takes care of the complicated mathematics and
provides the user with optimal resistance values.

2 Spreadsheet Overview
This Excel spreadsheet aids customers in the design process of using a solar panel with the bq24650.
The spreadsheet is responsible for providing the customer with recommended resistor values based on
the specific solar panel and NTC thermistor within the customer’s application. The customer has the ability
to adjust the resistor values and see a graphical representation of how well the slope of the resistor
network connected to the bq24650 tracks with the VMP slope of the solar panel. Figure 4 shows a
schematic of the network implemented.
Figure 5 shows the top part of the spreadsheet tool. This part of the tool is where the user enters

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information about the solar panel and NTC thermistor and specifies the temperature axis upper and lower
limit as well as the step between temperature values. After the user has input all of the necessary
information, the available, clickable buttons first set the temperature axis and then calculate the
recommended resistor values. Figure 5 shows the user input cells highlighted in red boxes and the
clickable buttons highlighted in blue boxes.

Figure 5. Top Section of Spreadsheet Tool

Figure 6 shows the bottom part of the spreadsheet tool. This part of the tool allows the user to see the
schematic as well as the recommended resistor values. Below the recommended values, the user can
input different resistor values in order to see if they provide a more accurate VMP slope compared to the
solar panel’s VMP slope. Figure 6 shows the recommended resistor values highlighted in a red box and the
user-chosen resistor values highlighted in a blue box. The Excel spreadsheet calculates the exact
recommended resistor values. The user must then enter a specific resistor value based on standard
resistor values.

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Figure 6. Bottom Section of Spreadsheet Tool

Two graphs appear after the Calculate Resistor Values button has been clicked. Both graphs appear
below the User Chosen Resistor Values section. The graph on the left side of the page represents voltage
with respect to temperature. This graph displays the VMP of the solar panel versus temperature (blue
trace), VMP calculated using the recommended resistor values versus temperature (magenta trace) and
VMP calculated using the user chosen resistor values versus temperature (yellow trace). The graph on the
right represents the error of the calculated VMP with respect to the solar panel’s VMP versus temperature.
This graph displays the error in the VMP calculated with the recommended resistor values (blue trace) and
the error in the VMP calculated with the user-chosen resistor values (magenta trace). Figure 7 displays the
two graphs that can be seen in the spreadsheet tool. All of the data used to create the graphs can be
found on the Data tab of the Excel workbook. Each column has an explanation as to what the data in the
column represents.

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Figure 7. Graph Section of Spreadsheet Tool

3 Solar Panel Example Using Spreadsheet

The following example demonstrates how to use the spreadsheet tool.

3.1 Solar Panel Specifications

As previously mentioned, the solar panel used for initial testing was the Sharp LR0GC02. The data sheet
specifies that this is a solar panel with 10 solar cells interconnected in series. Table 2 shows the basic
information of the solar panel. The test conditions are specified to be a temperature of 25°C ± 3°C and
1000 W/m2 irradiance.

Table 2. LR0GC02 Characteristics

Symbol Characteristic Min Typ Max Unit
VOC Open-circuit voltage 5.2 5.7 — V
ISC Short-circuit current 62 75 — mA
VMP Maximum power voltage 3.8 4.5 — V
IMP Maximum power current 48 65 — mA
PMAX Maximum power 240 300 — mW

The first user input cell in the Solar Panel Specifications section asks for the number of cells; in this
example, that number is 10. The next cell asks for the VMP/cell at 25°C; for this example, that number is
4.5/10 = 0.45 V. The next cell asks for the VOC/cell at 25°C; for this example, that number is 5.7/10 = 0.57
V. Finally, the last cell asks for the temperature coefficient in V/°C of the solar panel. The data sheet
provides the point at 25°C, but another point is needed in order to calculate the VMP slope over
temperature. Figure 3 displays the graph, found in the data sheet, which helps provide another point in
order to calculate the slope. According to the graph, the dotted orange line represents the VMP over
temperature. Around 75°C, the line appears to be roughly at 80% of the VMP value at 25°C. Therefore, the
second point is at a temperature of 75°C with a voltage of 0.8 × 4.5 = 3.6 V. Note that the VMP value at
any two temperatures can be used. Using Equation 2 for slope,

m=
(y2 - y1 )
(x2 - x 1)
(2)

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Where:
y2 = the VMP value at the second temperature = 3.6 V
y1 = the VMP value at the first temperature = 5.7 V
x2 = the second temperature = 75°C
x1 = the first temperature = 25°C.
These values yield a temperature coefficient of –0.042 V/°C. Notice that the temperature coefficient is
negative. This characteristic makes sense because as the temperature rises, the efficiency of the panel
drops. Figure 8 shows all the values previously discussed placed into the proper cells of the spreadsheet
tool. The cells are highlighted in the red box.

Figure 8. Solar Panel Specifications

3.2 Thermistor Specifications

The next section in the spreadsheet tool is for the thermistor. From the data sheet, the resistance value of
the thermistor at 25°C can be found as well as the B-value of the thermistor. The B-value of the thermistor
is somewhat complex and beyond the scope of this application report. However, the B-value can be
thought of as a representation of how the resistance value of the thermistor changes over temperature
when used in the proper equation. Typically, the B-value is given over a temperature range; for instance,
B25/85 is representative of the range from 25°C – 85°C and also the value used in this example. This
example uses a 470-kΩ thermistor at 25°C with a B25/85 value of 4570 K. The B-value has units of Kelvin
(K) due to the equation that uses the B-value in order to extract information about the thermistor over
temperature. Figure 9 shows all the values previously discussed placed into the proper cells of the
spreadsheet tool. The cells are highlighted in the red box.

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Figure 9. Thermistor Specifications

3.3 Graph Specifications

The next section of the spreadsheet tool allows the user to adjust the graph x-axis settings. The x-axis is
the temperature axis. The minimum and maximum temperature can be specified. The step size between
the minimum and maximum can be specified as well. For this example, the minimum temperature was set
to 20°C, the maximum set to 80°C, and the step size set to 5 °C. Figure 10 shows all the values
previously discussed placed into the proper cells of the spreadsheet tool. The cells are highlighted in the
red box.

Figure 10. Graph Specifications

3.4 Further User Interaction

After the Solar Cell Specifications, Thermistor Specifications, and Graph Specifications sections have
been filled out, click the Set Temperature Axis button on the right side of the spreadsheet tool. After the
axis has been set, the user is prompted to click the Calculate Resistor Values button. Figure 11 displays
the prompt the user sees.

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Figure 11. User Prompt

Simply click the OK button in the prompt, and then click the Calculate Resistor Values button that is
located to the right of the Set Temperature Axis button. After the Calculate Resistor Values button has
been clicked, the calculation is made and two graphs appear below the User Chosen Resistor Values
section. Initially, all the points for the VMP of the user-chosen values and the error based on the
user-chosen values are 0. This is because the user has not yet entered any information. Figure 12
displays this initial state of the graphs. The empty User Chosen Resistor Values section is highlighted in
the red box.

Figure 12. Initial State of Graphs

Once the user enters values for the resistors, the yellow trace on the Calculated VMP graph change
according to those values, and the magenta trace on the Percentage Error of VMP Calculation changes
accordingly as well. Figure 13 displays the updated graphs once resistor values have been chosen. For
this example, the values chosen are the nearest 1% resistor values based on the recommended resistor
values provided.

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Figure 13. Updated Graphs Based on User-Chosen Resistor Values

The user now has the ability to iterate through various combinations of resistor values in order to try and
reduce the error between their calculated VMP over temperature when compared to the solar panel’s VMP
over temperature. Because of the nonlinearity of the thermistor, it is very difficult to have close to 0% error
across the entire temperature range. However, achieving a percentage error of ±3% across the
temperature range is plausible. Also, optimizing the error for smaller temperature ranges can be achieved.
For instance, even though the entire temperature range in this example is 20°C to 80°C with a maximum
error around 5% at 80°C, Figure 13 shows that in the temperature range of 35°C to 55°C the error is
within ±1%.
Using standard resistor values gathered from using the spreadsheet tool, the bq24650 EVM was modified
to incorporate MPP tracking over temperature using the circuit in Figure 4. The solar panel and NTC
thermistor mentioned in this example were placed in a temperature chamber so that the temperature of
the panel was varied from 20°C to 80°C. With the EVM connected to the solar panel and charging a
battery, the result of the VMP change over temperature was recorded and can be seen in Figure 14.
12

Calculated VMP

10
Solar Panel VMP

8
Actual VMP
Voltage - V

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Temperature - °C

Figure 14. VMP Change Over Temperature Results

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The blue trace in Figure 14 represents the change in the VMP value of the solar panel over temperature.
This trace can be representative of data sheet information provided by the solar panel’s manufacturer.
However, in this specific instance, two Sharp LR0GC02 solar panels were connected in series and VMP
over temperature data was manually collected. Based on the collected data the VMP/cell, VOC/cell, and
temperature coefficient were calculated and entered into the spreadsheet tool. The magenta trace in
Figure 14 represents the change in the calculated VMP value over temperature. This data is gathered from
the spreadsheet tool, the column labeled Calculated VMP (V) under the Data tab. The yellow trace in
Figure 14 represents the actual change in the VMP value over temperature. This data was gathered from
the real-world experiment using two Sharp solar panels in series, the previously mentioned NTC
thermistor, corresponding RP, RS, and RB values found using the spreadsheet tool and a temperature
chamber. As seen in Figure 14, the simple, cost-effective solution provided in this application report, in
order to track a solar panel’s MPP, proves to be accurate.

4 References
1. bq24650, Synchronous Switch-Mode Battery Charge Controller for Solar Power with Maximum Power
Point Tracking data sheet (SLUSA75)
2. Sharp Corporation, Solar Cell Module LR0GC02, June 2009, http://www.futureelectronics.com
(September 2010).

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