Supplying Power to an AC load using PV System in Fast

Changing Weather Condition: Comparative Study of Incremental

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

Abstract

This technical report investigates a Photovoltaic (PV) system with an Incremental

Conductance MPPT controller, exploring tilt angle optimization and proposing three
algorithm modifications. Through MATLAB simulations, the study compares the
original algorithm with the modifications, highlighting Modification III as the most
effective in handling fast-changing weather conditions. The report provides valuable
insights for optimizing PV systems, emphasizing the significance of advanced MPPT
algorithms in enhancing solar energy utilization.

Keywords: solar power, PV cell, equivalent circuit, MPPT controller, general PV

system design, Incremental conductance MPPT, .

I. Introduction

Photovoltaic (PV) cells harness solar energy, transforming sunlight into electricity with
notable efficiency and reliability. Cost-effective and low-maintenance, PV cells offer a
practical solution for diverse applications. Their environmental friendliness, marked by zero
emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants, positions them as pivotal players in combating
climate change. In an era spotlighting renewable energy, PV cells are at the forefront,
contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future. Beyond economic advantages, they address
the imperative to transition away from finite fossil fuels, presenting a scalable and
ecologically responsible alternative. The deployment of PV cells signifies a harmonious
fusion of technological innovation and environmental stewardship, shaping a future
characterized by resilient and clean energy solutions.
II. Basic Design of General PV System

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: Basic 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. Block Diagram for Simulation of PV System

Fig 3: Showing the block diagram to simulate the basic PV system with ac load

In the above block it is showing a PV system without a battery bank and directly connected to
load after inverting and passing it through transformer. This type of system is manly use in
water pumping application. This simulation is run using Incremental conductance MPPT
algorithm and it three alternative modifications.

A. Specification of PV module used

Name of MATLAB PV module: A10Green Technology A10J-S72-175, strings in parallel: 2

strings in series: 3, VMPP for each string = 36.63V, IMPP for each string = 4.78A, Power at
MPP for each string = 175.0914W, Voc for each string = 43.99V, Isc for each string = 5.17A,
Temperature coefficient (%/degree) = -0.3616 cells per module = 72, total output power =
1050.5484W, total Voc = 131.07V, total Isc = 10.34A, total VMPP = 109.89V, total Isc = 9.56A.
VI. 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 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. This is the condition to for MPP in Incremental conductance
algorithm.
 Fig 4: The basic Incremental conductance MPPT controller

Fig 5: Varying insolation output

B. Modified Incremental Conductance Method

Modification I
Fig 6: Incremental conductance MPPT controller modified by Susovon Samanta and Satabdi
Bhattacharya

Fig 7: Varying insolation output

Modification II
 Fig 8: Incremental conductance MPPT controller modified by Md Hasan Anowar and Provashish
Roy

Fig 10: Varying insolation output

Modification III
 Fig 11: Incremental conductance MPPT controller modified by Liqun Shang, Hangchen
Guo and Weiwei Zhu

Fig 13: Varying insolation output

Comparison:

From the above plots we can compare the profile of voltage and Power extracted from PV
panel using the Incremental Conductance method and modified Incremental conductance
method we can day for fast changing weather condition such as shadow of tree or cloudy day,
original algorithm and the modification II are not suitable for such condition where as the
modification-I and modification III are well suited. And among the modification I and III,
after comparing the voltage profile we can that the modification III is better in that case. So,
for our purpose we will be using the modification III of Incremental Conductance MPPT
algorithm.

VII. 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.

References

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accepted 19 February 2023, date of publication 23 February 2023, date of current version 8
March 2023

[3] Liqun Shang, Hangchen Guo & Weiwei Zhu, “An improved MPPT control strategy based
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