Maximum Power Point Tracking Techniques

An essential objective for many photovoltaic (PV) applications is represented by the so‐called maximum power point tracking (MPPT). Under uniform irradiance and ambient temperature conditions, the power versus voltage characteristic of a PV array is characterized by the presence of a unique point, termed maximum power point (MPP), where the power provided by the array itself attains its maximum value. Any other operating point leads to the extraction of a smaller PV energy. Therefore, in order to avoid the waste of PV energy, the working of the array in its MPP is mandatory. Since the position of the MPP continuously changes in time as a function of irradiance and temperature, it is necessary to continuously track it. Such an objective can be obtained by using proper MPPT control techniques. A large number of papers have appeared in the scientific literature during the last 15 years on the issue of MPPT, and as a result it may be difficult to decide the best technique for a given application. Therefore, this survey may hopefully be beneficial to students, researchers, and practitioners in PV systems. The article overviews the representative PV MPPT algorithms, organized into four main groups. The first group contains the so‐called “hill climbing” techniques, the second group contains the “curve fitting” techniques, the third group contains the “dynamical” techniques, and the fourth group includes all the techniques that do not belong to the first three groups.