An improved perturbation and observation maximum power point tracking algorithm for PV arrays

This paper discusses a new implementation of a Perturbation and Observation (P&O) Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm that can mitigate/reduce the main drawbacks commonly related to the P&O method. This is achieved with peak current control, small perturbation values and sampling of instantaneous values, instead of averaged, to speed up the system response and reduce the oscillations around the Maximum Power Point (MPP). The number of samples per switching cycle, type (synchronized/unsynchronized) and ideal instant for sampling (maximum or minimum current) are investigated in order to obtain fast calculation of the direction of the next perturbation. Experimental results with the proposed control scheme implemented in a DSP are presented.