Photovoltaic Array Maximum Power Point Tracking Digital Implementation and Efficiency Analysis
Abstract
The current United States Navy and Marine Corps warfighting concepts focus on distributed and decentralized operations to increase the lethality and security of the force as a whole. An amplified reliance on electrical energy to power weapon systems and the command and control structure, in conjunction with a dispersed force, escalates the logistical requirements for any unit. Renewable energy resources, such as solar radiation, may be a means of reducing this logistical burden; however, photovoltaic (PV) arrays must operate at their maximum power point for these systems to be more effective. This thesis studies the efficiencies of the controller for a PV power conditioning system implementing the two most common maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms, Perturb and Observe and Incremental Conductance. The system includes a commercial-off-the-shelf PV array, buck DC-DC converter, lead-acid batteries as its energy storage system and load, and an Opal-RT real-time simulator for rapid control prototyping. The efficiency of the MPPT controller was studied via simulation and improved through parameter optimization. The control algorithms were executed in a physical system using a hardware-in-the-loop testing configuration and the measured values were compared to the simulated results. Experimental testing confirmed the MPPT controller performed as designed and achieved the expected efficiency for the various solar irradiances and temperatures under which it was tested.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1126506
Entities
People
- David B. Lorio