This component can be used to track the maximum power point (MPP) voltage of a Photovoltaic source. The inputs to the component are the photovoltaic source output voltage (V) and the current (I). The output is the estimated Maximum Power Point voltage (VMPP), which can be used to control a dc-dc converter that would continuously adjust the photovoltaic source operating voltage to VMPP.
Typical I-V and P-V characteristics of a PV array
The amount of power that can be drawn from a solar cell depends on the operating point on the I-V curve. As illustrated above, the maximum power output occurs around the knee point of the I-V curve. The voltage at the MPP changes with the cell operating temperature, solar radiation value and the load. Maximum power point trackers (MPPTs) are used to maintain the array output voltage always at the MPP voltage, regardless of the variations in above parameters. This component allows simulation of two well known MPPT algorithms: (i) Perturb and Observe algorithm [24] and (ii) Incremental Conductance algorithm [25] for tracking the MPP.
V: Photovoltaic source output voltage.
I: Photovoltaic source output current.
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PSCAD General Reference [24] PSCAD General Reference [25] |
Name for Identification |
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Optional text parameter for identification of the component. |
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PV array short circuit current |
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REAL |
Constant |
PV array short circuit current at the reference conditions [kA]. |
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PV array open circuit voltage |
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REAL |
Constant |
PV array open circuit voltage at the reference conditions [kV]. |
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Sampling interval |
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REAL |
Constant |
Sampling interval for control [s]. |
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Initial value of VMPP |
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REAL |
Constant |
Initial value of the output (VMPP) [kV]. |
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Tracking Algorithm |
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Choice |
Constant |
Select the MPP tracking algorithm: Perturb and Observe or Incremental Conductance. |
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Name for the incremental conductance |
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Output |
Variable name for the incremental conductance (for monitoring). |