Performance comparisons of grid connected SPV system with different MPPT algorithms

This paper presents a performance analysis of grid connected SPV system for different maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms. The detailed mathematical model of grid connected three–phase solar photovoltaic (SPV) system with parametric model of SPV cell, thermal modelling and switching loss calculation of switching devices are discussed. The performance evaluation has been carried out for perturb–and–observe (P&O) and incremental conductance (IC)–based MPPT algorithms for various outputs of the SPV array, in terms of energy injected to grid, switching losses, junction temperature and sink temperature, for switching in the DC–DC boost converter. The results validated the effectiveness of the MPPT algorithm in increasing SPV output energy, decrease in the switching losses, junction and sink temperature. The results show that IC method is slightly better to P&O method in energy injected to the grid with lower switching losses, junction and sink temperature.

Keywords: maximum power point tracking, MPPT, solar photovoltaic systems, grid connected SPV, switching losses, thermal models, solar energy, solar power, mathematical modelling, performance evaluation, perturb–and–observe, incremental conductance, junction temperature, sink temperature, DC–DC boost converters