A two stage hybrid maximum power point tracking technique for photovoltaic applications

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are widely used now a days for coping the growing energy demands all across the globe. The non-linear behavior of the characteristic curve of solar module requires special arrangement to harvest maximum amount of power. To track the Maximum Power Point (MPP) across the non linear IV curve of PV module, techniques are used in addition to the power electronic circuit and are called Maximum Power Point Tacking (MPPT). Various methods of MPPT exists in literature, each bearing its own pros and cons. In this paper we presents a novel technique to improve the performance of conventional Perturb and Observe (P&O) algorithm of MPPT. Our technique removes the drawbacks of P&O under rapidly changing environmental conditions. It also executes less power oscillations under steady state conditions. The algorithm is a hybrid of Fractional Short Circuit current (FSCC) and P&O algorithms. The system takes the advantage of rapid tracking near to MPP using the FSCC and then carry on to track the exact MPP using the traditional P&O technique. The technique is verified through simulation using Matlab/SIMULINK.