International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies (IJIRAS)

Volume 3 Issue 12, November 2016 ISSN: 2394-4404

Implementation Of Maximum Power Point Tracking With A Boost

Converter And A Three Level 3-Phase Inverter Connected To The
Grid

Noumsi Damien Brice

Engr. Dr. Nentawe Y. Goshwe
Manji Y. Morkat
Department of Electrical/Electronics Engineering,
University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract: The power output of the solar array is dependent of the irradiance, temperature and internal properties of
the materials used to make solar cells. These factors contribute in the position of the Maximum power point. Changes in
atmospheric conditions affect directly the output of the solar panel. Therefore, there is a need to track the Maximum
power point to ensure that the system delivers the maximum power and the losses are reduced at any given time despite
the change in temperature and irradiation throughout a day. The maximum power point tracking(MPPT) of the PV
output for all sunshine conditions is a key to keep the output power per unit cost low for successful PV applications.
Several techniques have been proposed for maximum power point tracking. The most commonly used technique for
MPPT is the perturb and observe technique. MATLAB was used to simulate the Perturb and observe. The main aim will
be to track the maximum power point of the photovoltaic module so that the maximum possible power can be extracted
from the photovoltaic. The algorithms utilized for MPPT are generalized algorithms and are easy to model or used as a
code. The algorithms are written in m files of MATLAB and utilized in simulation where the values of the irradiance and
temperature were chosen based on the average values in Benue State. The solar cell is modeled using SIM Power Systems
blocks.

Keywords: Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), Perturb and Observe (P&O), VSC converter, Photovoltaic
(PV), Pulse width Modulation (PWM).

I. INTRODUCTION For solar to be a competitive energy source it is extremely

important to extract the maximum power from each panel and
In today‘s world, renewable energy sources play lower the cost per kilowatt. It turns out that this is not as
important role in electricity generation. Several sources like simple as just hooking a panel to a battery or grid; there are
wind, solar, biogas etc. are important energy sources. Energy many variables that affect the performance of a panel, such as
from the sun is the best option for renewable energy as it is shade, shadows, and ambient temperature—thus the need for
available almost everywhere and is free to harness [1]-[2]. MPPT algorithms. Solar cells, like other silicon diodes, have
Solar radiation from the sun is converted to electrical energy an exponential transfer function from voltage to current. A
by using solar cells which exhibit photovoltaic (PV) effect. small change in voltage results in a large change in current.
However, for PV systems, the amount of electric power Two important factors that have to be taken into account are
generated changes continuously with weather conditions. the irradiation and the temperature. In general, I-V curve for a
PV array is non – linear so a specific point on the curve

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 International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies (IJIRAS)
Volume 3 Issue 12, November 2016 ISSN: 2394-4404

namely maximum power point needs to be tracked so that the PV arrays are built up with combined series or parallel
whole system operates at maximum efficiency and produces combinations of PV solar cells, which are usually represented
maximum output power. Hence, Maximum Power Point by a simplified equivalent circuit model such as the one given
Tracking (MPPT) algorithm is used for extracting maximum in Figure2 and/or by an equation as in (1).
power available from a PV module under different conditions.   q(v  Rs I  V  Rs I 
Out of numerous available techniques the one that is used I  I ph  I 0 exp  1    (1)
most widely and commonly is Perturb & Observe (P&O)   nKT   Rs h 
algorithm. P&O is also called as hill climbing method because The output characteristic of a photovoltaic (PV) array is
it checks the rise of the curve till MPP and the fall after that non-linear and is influenced by solar irradiance level, ambient
point[3]-[8]. Using P&O algorithm the controller adjust temperature, wind speed, humidity, pressure, etc. The
voltage and measures power and if this measured power is irradiation and ambient temperature are the two primary
greater than the previous value of power, adjustments are factors. To study the output characteristics of PV cell, some
made in the same direction until there is no more increment in experiments based on simulation of PV cell have been done.
power. For constant temperature (25˚C) and different intensity
Generally, the MPPT controller is embedded in the power (400-1000W/m2) The PV array current constant up to some
electronic converter systems, so that the corresponding voltage level and then it will be decreased. The PV array
optimal duty cycle is updated to the photovoltaic power current always increases with intensity.
conversion system to generate the maximum power point
output. THE BOOST CONVERTER

Solar DC – DC 3-Phase Grid The boost converter was chosen for its benefits in terms
PV Boost VSC
Converter of cost saving, simplicity and efficiency. The values of some
components such as inductor and capacitor were determined
by using suitable equations in order to make sure continuous
Three-phase conduction mode is sustained.
VSC
I V Controller Figure 3 depicts the basic circuit of an ideal boost
converter with Vd and Vo as input and output voltages
respectively and figure 4 shows the waveforms of the boost
converter.

Voltage and PWM

Current Sensors Generator

MPPT Control Loop and Duty Cycle

Adjustment

Figure 1: Block diagram of the proposed system

Figure 3: Ideal boost converter

II. THE SOLAR CELL

The solar cell is the basic building block of solar

photovoltaic. The cell can be considered as a two terminal
device which conducts like a diode in the dark and generates a
photo voltage when charged by Sun[9]. When charged by the
Sun, this basic unit generates a dc photo voltage of 0.5 to 1volt
and in short circuit, a photocurrent of some tens of
miliamperes per cm2.

Figure 2: Equivalent circuit of PV solar cell Figure 4: The waveforms of Boost Converter

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 International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies (IJIRAS)
Volume 3 Issue 12, November 2016 ISSN: 2394-4404

There are two modes of operation of a boost converter. and reduced size when compared to other power electronic
The operation mainly based on the ON and OFF mode of the devices. Indeed, the control of the output voltage is provided
switch. Firstly, when the switch is closed, this can be known by the PWM technique. The three-level VSC regulates DC bus
as charging state. After that, second mode of operation will be voltage at 500 V and keeps unity power factor. Id current
initiated by opening the switch, and this state is known as reference is the output of the DC voltage external controller.
discharging mode of operation. Iq current reference is set to zero in order to maintain unity
power factor. Vd and Vq voltage outputs of the current
controller are converted to three modulating signals Uref_abc
used by the PWM three-level pulse generator. The control
system uses a sample time of 100 μs for voltage and current
controllers. In the detailed model, pulse generators of Boost
and VSC converters use a fast sample time of 1μs in order to
get an appropriate resolution of PWM waveforms.

Figure 5: Equivalent Circuit during Switch Closed

di
Vd  L (2)
dt
I  I 
Vd  L max min (3)
dt
Vd
dt  I max  I min (4)
L
V
I max  I min  d dt (5)
L Figure 7: 3-Level Inverter
During discharging mode of operation, the switch is open The inverter block implements a 3-level three-phase
and the diode is forward biased, as shown in Figure 6. At this power converter that consists of up to six power switches
time, the inductor is discharged to the capacitor and meets the connected in a bridge configuration. The type of power switch
load demand. and converter configuration is selectable from the dialog box.
The block allows simulation of converters using either
naturally commutated (or line-commutated) power electronic
devices (diodes or thyristors) and forced-commutated devices
(GTO, IGBT, MOSFET).

SWITCHING TABLE

The switching table is formed using the sector, the

corresponding voltage vector and the switch state. The
Figure 6: Equivalent Circuit during Switch Opened summary of various states are given in table 1.
V0 I
 (6) State SwitchingStates
Vd I  d No.
( I  d ) 2 Rd S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 Vab Vbc Vca
L (Since D  2 f ) (7) 1 ON ON OFF OFF OFF ON VS 0 -VS
2f 2 ON ON ON OFF OFF OFF 0 VS -VS
VO d 3 OFF ON ON ON OFF OFF -VS VS 0
 (8)
V0 Rcf 4 OFF OFF ON ON ON OFF -VS 0 VS
5 OFF OFF OFF ON ON ON 0 -VS VS
V0
C dT (9) 6 ON OFF OFF OFF ON ON VS -VS 0
Vo R
7 ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF 0 0 0

VSC CONVERTER 8 OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON 0 0 0

Table 1: 3 Level Inverter Switching Table
The proposed inverter structure is designed to make use
of a three-level topology called neutral point clamped. The
IGBT semiconductor is used due to its lower switching losses

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 International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies (IJIRAS)
Volume 3 Issue 12, November 2016 ISSN: 2394-4404

III. MPPT ALGORITHM: PERTURB AND OBSERVE IV. RESULTS

METHOD (P&O)
A. SIMULATION OF TEMPERATURE AND
This method is one of the simplest online methods which, IRRADIATION
has been considered by a number of researchers [10–17]. P&O
can be implemented by applying perturbations to the reference Figure 10 shows the irradiance and temperature variations
voltage or the reference current signal of the solar panel. A generated as inputs on the solar array. Figure 10a shows
flowchart illustrating this method, which is also known as the irradiance generated at a constant value of 1000Kw/m2for 0.5
‗hill climbing method‘ is depicted in Figure 7, where ‗‗V‘‘ is second, decreases at 250Kw/m2 for 0.5 second. The system
the reference signal. In this algorithm, if the reference signal, increases steadily from 250Kw/m2 at 0.5seconds to
V is taken as the voltage, the goal will involve pushing the 1000Kw/m2 at 2 seconds and is maintained constant.
reference voltage signal towards VMPP thereby causing the Figure 10b shows a simulated behavioural pattern of
instantaneous voltage to track the VMPP. As a result the output temperature variation on the PV module. At a temperature of
power will approach MPP. To this end, a small but constant 250C (room temperature) for a period of 2 seconds, the PV
perturbation is applied to the solar panel voltage. The solar module output varies as its temperature increases to an
panel voltage is changed by applying a series of small and extreme value of 500C.
constant perturbations denoted by (C=∆V) on a step-by-step
basis in order to change the system operating point. Following
each perturbation, the output power variation (∆P) is
measured. If ∆P is positive, power will approach MPP,
therefore a voltage perturbation of the same sign must be
applied in the following stage. A negative ∆P, on the other
hand, implies that power has moved away from MPP, and a
perturbation of opposite sign will have to be applied. This
process is repeated until the MPP is reached.

Figure 10a: Irradiance variations

Figure 8: Conventional Perturb and Observe algorithm Figure 10b: Temperature variations

B. RESULT FROM THE SOLAR PANEL

Figure 9: Proposed circuit diagram

Figure 11 (a): I-V characteristics of Solar array for various

irradiance at a constant temperature of 250C

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 International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies (IJIRAS)
Volume 3 Issue 12, November 2016 ISSN: 2394-4404

with the same variations in the input parameters. The voltage

curve also shows that the voltage decreases as the duty cycle
changes.
Figure 16 shows the power output of the DC converter
over a period of 5.5seconds using the conventional technique
with the irradiance and temperature varied. By adjusting the
voltage different output curves can be obtain with different
steady state response and rise time.

Figure 11 (b): P-V characteristics of Sola array for various

irradiance at a constant temperature of 250C
For constant temperature (25˚C) and different intensity
(400- 1000W/m2), the PV array power increases up to some

Duty cycle
voltage level and then it will be decreased. The PV array
power always increases from low to high intensity.

Figure 13: Duty cycle using the conventional MPPT

Figure 12 (a): I-V characteristics of Solar array for various
temperature at constant irradiance of 1000W/m2
Current

Figure 12 (b): P-V characteristics of Solar array for Figure 14: current output using the conventional MPPT
various temperature at a constant irradiance of 1000W/m2

C. RESULTS FROM THE BOOST CONVERTER

OUTPUT

Figure 13 shows the duty cycle of the DC converter over

Voltage

a period of 5.5seconds which also varies a lot as the irradiance

and temperature are varied.
Figure 14 displays the waveform of the current output of
the DC converter over a period of 5.5seconds using the same
variations in the irradiance and temperature. The current also
varies with the duty cycle. The system has a dynamic
performance as it can be noted as it has a quick rise time as the
duty cycle also rises.
Figure 15 shows the voltage output of the DC converter
over a period of 5.5seconds using the conventional technique Figure 15: voltage output using the conventional MPPT

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 International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies (IJIRAS)
Volume 3 Issue 12, November 2016 ISSN: 2394-4404

Current
Power

Figure 18: Current output of the VSC

Figure 16: Power output using the conventional MPPT

D. RESULTS FROM THE VOLTAGE SOURCE

CONVERTER

Power
a. RESULTS FROM THE VOLTAGE SOURCE
CONVERTER USING THE CONVENTIONAL
PERTURB AND OBSERVE TECHNIQUE

Figure 17 shows the voltage of the VSC using the

conventional perturb and observe technique as the irradiance
and temperature are varied.
Figure 18 shows the current output of the VSC using the
conventional perturb and observe technique; as the input Figure 19: Power output of the VSC
parameters (irradiance and temperature) are varied, changes
are also observed.
Figure 19 shows the power output of the VSC where
many oscillations are observed and also the hill climbing
problem is glaring. The curve also exhibits changes as the
input parameters are varied.
Figure 20 shows the modulation index of the VSC as it
varies with the input parameters.

Figure 20: Modulation Index

Voltage

V. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This work presented the implementation of the Perturb

and Observe algorithm using a boost converter and a VSC
converter connected to the utility grid. From the classification
of available power distribution standalone and grid, a number
of MPPT techniques are available. Selecting a particular
Figure 17: Voltage output of the VSC MPPT for a system has to deal with its cost, reliability, speed,
safety of the system. The power ratings of PV panel and
climate conditions are also factors in certain areas and in some
applications. MPPT techniques aremeant for mismatched
conditions such as partial shedding, non-uniformity of PV
panel temperatures, dust effects, damages of panel glass.
Cases studied and discussed in the paper gives us a brief idea

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 International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies (IJIRAS)
Volume 3 Issue 12, November 2016 ISSN: 2394-4404

of PV panel working with a connected load. It also gives an [8] N. Mutoh, M. Ohno, and T. Inoue, ―A method for MPPT
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