Modified Hill-top Algorithm Based Maximum Power Point Tracking for Solar PV Module

Rajasekar S, Student Member, IEEE, Rajesh Gupta, Senior Member, IEEE, Anurag Upadhyay, Puneet Agarwal, Sudhir Kumar, and Y. Shasi Kumar, Student Member, IEEE
Department of Electrical Engineering, M. N. National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, India E-mail: rajasekar6387@gmail.com, rajeshgupta310@rediffmail.com, anurag041@gmail.com, itspuneet59@gmail.com, sudhirkumar89@gmail.com, shasikumar253@gmail.com microcomputer [3]. In [4], perturb and observe (P&O) method is explained. It is also called as hill top algorithm. Incremental conductance technique proposed in [5], [6] is computationally challenged and has implementation complexity. The MPPT algorithms based on hill top algorithm is more popular because of its simplicity and ease in implementation. However oscillation problem is unavoidable in these algorithms. Therefore in this paper the hill-top algorithm is modified that gives better response during the transients and rapidly varying atmospheric conditions. The algorithm is written in C language and embedded in ATmega32 microcontroller using Code VISIONAVR. This paper address a simple and low cost microcontroller based maximum power point tracking for PV system. Comparative investigations of hill top and modified hill top algorithm implemented through boost converter is done through PSCAD/EMTDC simulation studies in terms of maximum power transfer capability under different environmental consideration. Experimental setup of modified hill top algorithm is implemented and results are obtained that evidently proves the effectiveness of modified hill top algorithm. II. PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT A solar cell is the simplest component of a PV module that generates current carriers when sunlight falls on it. A solar module is a combination of number of solar cells that are connected in series and/or parallel to increase the output power of a PV module. The PV module characteristics are elaborately discussed in [7]-[9]. The equivalent circuit of PV cell is shown in the Fig. 1. The characteristic equation of the PV model is given by [10]-[11]

Abstract- This paper presents a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller employing a modified hill top algorithm implemented using embedded microcontroller for solar photovoltaic (PV) module. The proposed MPPT algorithm has high efficiency compared to conventional hill top algorithm in terms of transferring power from source to load. The designed controller regulates the output voltage through control of the DC-DC boost converter under varying environmental conditions. The comparative result for hill top and modified hill top algorithm based on the proposed MPPT controller has been obtained through the simulation studies in PSCAD/EMTDC software. The validity of the proposed modified hill top algorithm has been obtained through experimental implementation of the MPPT controller on a solar PV module driving a load.

I.

INTRODUCTION

Renewable energy sources play an important role in electric power generation due to environmental friendly and pollution free clean energy. Various renewable sources such as solar energy, wind energy, geothermal etc. are harnessed for electric power generation. Renewable energy sources such as solar energy are acquiring more significance, due to shortage and environmental impacts of conventional fuels [1], [2]. The solar energy is directly converted into electrical energy by solar photovoltaic module. A PV module acts as a low voltage DC source and has relatively low conversion efficiency. Therefore it is desirable to extract maximum power from the photovoltaic system. Generally for such DC supplies a power conditioning system is needed to convert the energy to usable DC or AC energy. For that purpose we are using boost DC-DC converter, which not only serves the purpose of raising the voltage level but also helps in achieving maximum power point tracking (MPPT). As we know that maximum power transfer takes place whenever source impedance matches the load impedance. It can be shown that the load impedance as seen by the source is a function of duty cycle. Thus the converter must be operated with duty cycle control so as to extract maximum power from PV. With the varying atmospheric conditions the duty cycle corresponding to maximum power transfer changes that needs to be controlled during the operation in order to maintain MPPT uniformly. Several algorithms have been proposed in the recent years. It has been demonstrated in [3] that maximum power can be tracked using look-up table through

q(V + IRs I = I pv Io exp kT

where

V + IRs 1 Rsh

(1)

3 qE g 1 1 T I o = I o , n n exp k Tn T T

(2)

I pv = I sc + ki (T Tn )

G Gn

(3)

978-1-4673-0158-9/12/$31.00 2012 IEEE

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I and V Io T k q ki G Gn Eg Io,n Tn Rs Rsh Ipv

cell output current and voltage; cell reverse saturation current; cell temperature in Celsius; Boltzmanns constant; electron charge; short circuit current/temperature coefficient; solar insolation in W/m2; nominal solar insolation in W/m2; energy gap of silicon; nominal saturation current; nominal temperature in Celsius; series resistance; shunt resistance; ideality factor between 1.0 to 1.5; light generated current;

III.

BOOST CONVERTER ANALYSIS

Consider a boost DC-DC converter in Fig. 3. A resistor RL is included in series with the inductor, to model the resistance of the inductor winding. It is desired to determine simple expressions for the output voltage V, inductor current IL and efficiency . Typical inductor voltage and capacitor current waveforms are sketched in Fig. 4.

Fig. 2 (a). Current versus voltage at constant cell temperature T = 25 c .

Fig. 1. Equivalent Circuit of PV cell. Table I Electrical parameters of Tata BP TBP1275M Module

Maximum power (Pmax) Voltage at MPP (Vmpp) Current at MPPT (Impp) Open circuit voltage (Voc) Short circuit voltage (Isc)

87W 17.5V 5A 22V 5.2A

Fig. 2 (b). Current versus voltage at constant solar insolation G = 1000 W/m2.

For the data of PV module shown in Table I, Fig. 2 (a) shows the current versus voltage characteristics of the PV module at a constant cell temperature of T = 25 c under different solar insolation (G). Fig. 2 (b) represents current versus voltage characteristics of the PV module at constant solar insolation G = 1000 W/m2. From these characteristics it can be concluded that the PV module has non-linear behavior and has only one unique operating point for maximum output power at a given load. The peculiar I-V characteristic of the PV enables us to operate it at maximum power point by utilizing DC-DC and/or DC-AC converters. This characteristic enables us to change the voltage output of the PV module by changing the duty cycle of the gating signal given to the converter switch as load impedance seen by the source depends upon the duty cycle and the output voltage of the PV depends upon the load. Thus by changing the duty cycle we can reach the voltage at which PV module delivers maximum output power.

Fig. 3 Power Circuit of Boost Converter.

With the switch in position 1, the inductor voltage is equal to

VL (t ) = Vg iL (t ) RL

(4)

By use of the small ripple approximation, we can replace iL(t) with its dc component IL, and hence we obtain
VL = Vg iL RL

(5)

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Likewise, the capacitor current is equal to

V (t ) ic (t ) = R

IL =
(6)

1 1 D RL 1 + R(1 D) 2

Vg

(15)

Multiplying equations (14) and (15), we obtain the power P for the converter
P= Vg2 R (1 D ) (1 D) 2 R + RL (16)

By taking the derivative of (16) with respect to duty cycle D dP and equating to zero, i.e., = 0 , we obtain dD
Fig. 4 Waveforms for inductor voltage and capacitor current.

RL = 3 D (1 D) 2

(17)

Which can be approximated as

ic (t ) = V R

From above equation we observe that as the duty cycle is changed, the impedance seen by the source also changes.
(7)

IV.

MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING ALGORITHMS

When the switch is in position 2, the inductor is connected between the input and output voltages. The inductor voltage can now be written
VL = Vg I L RL V (t ) VL Vg I L RL V (t )

(8) (9)

The capacitor current can be expressed as

ic (t ) = iL (t ) V (t ) R

According to maximum power transfer theory, a maximum power is transferred from source to load when source impedance is equal to the load impedance [12]. Therefore DC-DC power electronics converter is coupled with photovoltaic module to operate on the duty cycle at which source impedance and load impedance become equal in order to extract maximum power from the PV module. In recent years many algorithms are proposed to extract maximum power [13]-[15]. A. Modified Hill Top Algorithm Hill top algorithm is very popular because it is simple, easy to implement and requires less computation. However oscillation problem is unavoidable in this algorithm. Fig. 5 shows PV module output power waveform as a function of PV module voltage.

(10)

ic

iL (t )

V (t ) R

(11)

When the converter operates in steady state, the average value, or dc component, of the inductor voltage waveform VL(t) must be equal to zero. Equating the average value of the VL(t) waveform of Fig. 4.to zero, we obtain

D(Vg I L RL ) + (1 D )(Vg I L RL V ) = 0

(12)

Likewise, application of the principle of capacitor charge balance to the capacitor current waveform of Fig. 4. leads to
V V D + (1 D) 1 = 0 R R (13)
Fig .5. Hill Top Algorithm.

From equations (9) and (10) we can solve for the unknowns V and IL. The result is shown below.

V 1 1 = Vg 1 D RL 1 + R(1 D) 2

(14)

A small perturbation is introduced to change power in the PV module. The hill top algorithm is based on the fact that variation of power with the voltage is positive, i.e., dP/dV > 0, then it is operating on the left side of the maximum power point (MPP). Similarly, when the variation of power with the voltage is negative, i.e., dP/dV < 0, than it is operating in the right side of the MPP. If the operating voltage of the PV

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module is such that, dP/dV > 0, then the perturbation will move it towards the maximum power point. Whereas if the operating voltage is such that, dP/dV < 0, then perturbation reverses its direction. But this algorithm fails to act under fast varying atmospheric conditions. So we are making an attempt of modified hill top algorithm which gives better performance during rapid changes in the atmospheric conditions and sudden load changing conditions. In modified hill top algorithm chosen two tolerance limits, one is larger and other is smaller. For a large change a large change in duty cycle can be made while for smaller change a small change in duty cycle will take place. This modification in the hill top algorithm makes the maximum power point tracking technique to give better response during sudden change in load condition and rapid changes in the atmospheric condtions. V. SIMULATION RESULTS The proposed modified hill top algorithm is simulated in the PSCAD/EMTDC (ver. 4.2), . The PV module rated power rating is 75W. The cell temperature of 25C and insolation level of 1000 W/m2 is chosen. Fig. 7 shows the response of the PV module voltage and power, and the load output voltage and power, under open loop condition (i.e., without MPPT power electronic interface). It is observed that the PV module power and load power is 18W and 15W, respectively with a resistive load. Without MPPT power electronic interface it is able to extract only 15W from the PV module. In closed loop condition, the PV module is connected to the load through power electronic converter coupled with the hill top algorithm based MPPT controller.

Fig. 7. PV module voltage and power, and load voltage and power, under open loop condition (without MPPT).

The power in open loop condition is less when compared to closed loop condition. In case of open loop condition, the duty cycle was fixed, whereas in closed loop condition the duty cycle is varied in order to track the maximum power by matching load and source impedance under varying atmospheric condition. In the proposed modified hill top algorithm, the PV module is connected to the load in a similar way as discussed above. Fig. 10 and 11 shows the PV module voltage and power, and load voltage and power, with the modified hill algorithm. In this case, initially a duty cycle was fixed at 50% with the choice of large step size of 0.001 and small step size of 0.0001. Two tolerance limits are defined as 5.0 and 0.2, respectively. The maximum power point tracking is achived with the modified hill top algorithm, when compared to the hill top algorithm. Table II-IV shows that the proposed modified hill top algorithm is able to transfer maximum power from source to load when compared to the open loop condition and closed loop hill top algorithm based MPPT, at different solar insolation levels.

Fig. 8. PV module voltage and load voltage under closed loop condition (with hill-top algorithm).

Fig. 6. Flowchart for modified hill top algorithm.

Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 shows the PV module voltage, power and load voltage and power.

Fig. 9. PV module power and load power under closed loop condition (with hill-top algorithm).

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VI.

EXPERIMENTAL SETUP

Fig. 10. PV module voltage and load voltage under closed loop condition (with modified hill-top algorithm).

To verify the simulation results of the proposed modified hill-top algorithm for MPPT controller, an experimental setup is developed and tested. Fig. 12 shows the complete experimental setup of the MPPT control with boost converter. A microcontroller (ATMEGA 32) is used for implementing the modified hill-top algorithm. The algorithm is written in C code and then complied through Code Vision, and burned into the microcontroller by USB programmer. The controller requires feedback signals from the PV module (module voltage and current using sensors) and generate PWM signal to drive the boost converter in order to transfer the maximum power from source to load. The ATMEGA 32 microcontroller has ADC converter module in build, so analog output of the module voltage and current are directly connected to the ADC pins of the microcontroller for further processing. To sense the voltage of the PV module.

Fig. 11. PV module power and load power under closed loop condition (with modified hill-top algorithm). TABLE-II OPEN LOOP CONDITION AT DIFFERENT SOLAR INSOLATION Solar Insolatio n (W/m2) 1000 800 600 400 PV Modul e Voltag e 9.79 8.01 6.02 4.01 Open loop condition PV PV Load Modul Modul voltag e e e Curre Power nt 4.95 48.05 48.26 4.05 3.06 2.03 32.19 18.17 8.07 39.52 29.69 19.79 Load curre nt 0.96 0.79 0.59 0.39 Load Powe r Fig. 12. Complete hardware setup. 46.64 31.24 17.63 7.84

TABLE-III HILL TOP ALGORITHM AT DIFFERENT SOLAR INSOLATION Solar Insolati on (W/m2) 1000 800 600 400 Hill top algorithm under closed loop condition PV PV PV Load Load Modu Modul Modu voltag curre le e le e nt Volta Curre Power ge nt 14.31 4.22 60.38 58.18 1.02 12.48 3.71 46.30 48.14 0.94 6.78 2.98 20.02 30.59 0.60 4.03 2.01 8.10 20.21 0.39 Load Power

The aim of a hill top algorithm is used to track maximum power from PV panel under changing load condition and atmospheric variations, by varying the PWM signal under closed loop. First, the PV module is connected to the resistive load of 50 through power electronics coupled MPPT controller. Fig. 13 shows the PWM signal, PV module voltage and load voltage, at this load. Fig.14 shows the PWM signal, PV module voltage and load voltage, when the load is increased by changing the resistive load to 20. It can be clearly seen that the PWM signal is varied in order to transfer maximum power from source to load.

59.34 45.28 18.35 7.88

TABLE-IV MODIFIED HILL TOP ALGORITHM AT DIFFERENT SOLAR INSOLATION Solar Insol ation (W/m 2 ) 1000 800 600 400 Modified Hill top algorithm under closed loop condition PV PV PV Load Load Load Module Module Modul voltage curre Power Voltage Current e nt Power 15.24 4.45 67.81 60.26 1.10 66.28 13.56 3.97 53.55 50.77 1.01 51.58 7.83 3.04 23.68 33.77 0.67 22.81 5.49 2.03 11.07 23.09 0.46 10.66

Fig.13. PWM signal, PV module voltage and load voltage.

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performance shows the capability of the controller to track the maximum power under different load condition. VII. CONCLUSIONS The proposed MPPT based on the modified hill top algorithm is easy to implement and provide cost effective solution to extract maximum power from the PV module. Simulation and experimental implementation of the proposed controller evidently confirms that it can track maximum power and has good transient response under dynamic load change conditions. REFERENCES
[1] Fig. 14. PWM signal, PV module voltage and load voltage. [2] Survey report of selected IEA countries between 1992 and 2007, Trends in photovoltaic applications, IEA, Paris, France, Rep. IEAPVPS T1-T17, 2008. J. M. Carrasco, L. G. Franquelo, J. T. Bialasiewicz, E. Galvn,R. C. Portillo Guisado, Ma. . Martacute; n Prats, J. I. Len, and N. Moreno-Alfonso, Power-electronic systems for the grid integration of renewable energy sources: A survey, IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 10021016, Jun. 2006. H. E.-S. A. Ibrahim and, F. F. Houssiny, Microcomputer Controlled Buck Regulator for Maximum Power Point Tracker for DC Pumping System Operates from Photovoltaic System, Proceedings of the IEEE International Fuzzy Systems Conference, August 22_25, Vol. 1, pp. 406_411, 1999. E. Koutroulis., K. Kalaitzakis and N. C. Voulgaris, Development of a Microcontroller-Based Photovoltaic Maximum Power Point Tracking Control System, IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, Vol. 16, pp. 46_54, 2001. W. Xiao and W. G. Dunford, A modified adaptive hill climbing MPPT method for photovoltaic power systems, in Proc. 35th Annual IEEE Power Electronics Specialist Conference, 2004. T. Esram and P.L. Chapman, Comparison of photovoltaic array maximum power point tracking techniques, IEEE Trans. Energy Convers, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 439-449, Jun.2007. N. Mutoh and T. Inoue, A control method to charge series-connected ultra electric double-layer capacitors suitable for photovoltaic generation systems combining MPPT control method, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., vol. 54, no. 1, pp. 374383, Feb. 2007. F. Liu, S. Duan, F. Liu, B. Liu, and Y. Kang, A variable step size INC MPPT method for PV systems, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., vol. 55, no. 7, pp. 26222628, Jul. 2008. I.-S. Kim, M.-B. Kim and M.-J. Youn, New maximum power point tracker using sliding-mode observer for estimation of solar array current in the grid-connected photovoltaic system, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 10271035, Jun. 2006. G. Vachtsevanos and K. Kalaitzakis, A hybrid photovoltaic simulator for utility interactive studies, IEEE Trans. Energy Conv., vol. EC-2, pp. 227231, June 1987. D. P. Hohm, M. E. Ropp Comparative Study of Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithms, Conference Record of the Twenty-Eighth IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, pp.1699-1702, Sept. 2000. J.W. Kimball and P. T. Krein, Discrete-time ripple correlation control for maximum power point tracking, IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 23, no. 5, pp. 23532362, Sep. 2008. V. Scarpa, S. Buso, and G. Spiazzi, Low-complexity MPPT technique exploiting the PV module MPP locus characterization, IEEE Trans. Ind.Electron., vol. 56, no. 5, pp. 15311538, May 2009. P. Sanchis, J. Lopez, A. Ursua, E. Gubia, and L. Marroyo, On the testing, characterization, and evaluation of PV inverters and dynamic MPPT performance under real varying operating conditions, Prog. Photovolt. Res. Appl., vol. 15, no. 6, pp. 541556, 2007. R. Gupta, G. Gupta, D. Kastwar, A. Hussain and H. Ranjan, Modeling and design of MPPT controller for a PV module using PSCAD/EMTDC, 2010 IEEE PES (ISGT Europe), Oct.11-13, 2010, Gothenburg, Sweden.

[3]

[4]

[5] [6] [7] Fig. 15. PWM signal, load current and load voltage response under steady state condition. [8] [9]

[10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

Fig. 16. PWM signal, load current and load voltage, transient response for load step change from 20.1 to 9.5.

Fig.15 shows the response of the PWM signal, load current and load voltage under steady state condition. Fig. 16 shows the transient response of the PWM signal, load current and load voltage during step change in the load. Good transient

[15]

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