DMPPT PV System: Modeling and Control Techniques

Distributed Maximum Power Point Tracking (DMPPT) techniques allow each photovoltaic module of an array to operate in its Maximum Power Point. This is highly desirable, from the efficiency point of view, in presence of mismatching operating conditions. In this chapter, a module-dedicated DC/DC converter (microconverter) architecture carrying out a DMPPT technique is considered. Microconverters are connected to the grid by means of a central inverter. To get full profit from DMPPT, it is necessary that the inverter input voltage belongs to a time-dependent optimal range (Central MPPT, CMPPT). Such considerations directly lead to the concept of Hybrid MPPT techniques (HMPPT). In this chapter, two HMPPT techniques are presented. The first one (HMPPTS) is based on the periodic scan of the P-V characteristic of the string of microconverters; the second one (HMPPTF) is based on the "one-shot" estimate of the optimal operating range of the inverter input voltage. © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.