Step-down maximum power point tracker for photovoltaic systems

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Solar Energy (Journal of Solar Energy Science and Engineering); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-092X(91)90095-E· OSTI ID:5138973

Salameh, Z M; Dagher, F; Lynch, W A ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Lowell, MA (United States)

A design of a simple, inexpensive, and efficient maximum power point tracker (MPPT) is presented. This design calls for a fixed voltage and a pilot cell to track the maximum power point voltage (V{sub mp}). The tracking is done by changing the duty cycle of a step-down chopper, which is controlled by a direct feedback analog circuit. The control voltage of the tracker is the open circuit voltage (V{sub oc}) of the pilot cell multiplied by a constant. This constant is preadjusted so that it tracks the V{sub mp} of the array in response to any changes due to temperatures or insolation. This MPPT can also function as a voltage regulator for battery charging.

• OSTI ID: 5138973
• Journal Information: Solar Energy (Journal of Solar Energy Science and Engineering); (United States), Vol. 46:5; ISSN 0038-092X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEMS
DESIGN
ANALOG SYSTEMS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRIC POWER
ENGINEERING DRAWINGS
FEEDBACK
FLOWSHEETS
MONITORING
OPERATION
VOLTAGE REGULATORS
DIAGRAMS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
HELIOSTATS
POWER
POWER SUPPLIES
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR TRACKING
140600* - Solar Energy- Photovoltaic Power Systems