Performance Evaluation of a Dynamic Model of a Photovoltaic Module for Real-Time Maximum Power Tracking

This case study deals with the modeling and maximum power tracking of a stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) power generator. A dynamic model of a solar cell has been developed, simulated, and validated using experimental data. Effects of parameter variations have been accounted for in the dynamic model. The dynamic model developed in MATLAB®/Simulink® environment is embedded in the LabVIEW® environment for real time hardware in the loop verification of the simulation results. It was found that the actual real-time maximum power that a PV can produce is significantly different from the average power provided by the manufacturer. Preliminary experimental testing showed that one can extract as much as 20% more power from the PV than what is suggested by the manufacturer. The three week long experiment is documented, and the model is then validated through the design of experiment. Finally, the conclusions of the case study are outlined and the future work is proposed. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-0294-6.ch020

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