Comparative Study of Different DC/DC Power Converter for Optimal PV System Using MPPT (P&O) Method

Abstract

The objective of this work is to show when and how to choose the type of DC/DC power converter that must be introduced in a stand alone PV solar system’s optimization process, which is necessary to characterize the area’s climatic conditions of the system implementation, take into account the partial shading effect on the Photovoltaic Generator (PVG). In addition, determine the resistivity of the load that envisaged to be introduced with the help of the direct coupling responses of the PVG. Based on the MATLAB/Simulink software and the PVG data sheet choice, we could plot the current-voltage (I-V) and power-voltage (P-V) characteristic, using the manufacturer data and determining the maximum power point (MPP), as a function of the area’s weather conditions variations, at the same time observing the direct coupling response of the load adapted to the PVG. From this observation, we can specify the DC/DC power converter type to be introduced in the production optimization process of a standalone PV solar system. Thus, we must use a Boost converter type, if the direct coupling voltages responses are higher than those of MPP responses, or a Buck converter type in the opposite case, or both at the same time Buck-Boost converter type, if we need to increase and decrease the voltage.