Novel MPPT Algorithm Based on Individual PV Panel Monitoring System

The management of the power provided by a PV system can be effectively improved if local information about the operation of single panels are available. In this work a novel Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm that exploits the knowledge of the actual operating condition of each solar panel of the PV array to track the maximum power point of the array independently of possible mismatching, e.g., caused by local shadowing, among solar panels, is presented. In order to collect information about the operating point of a solar panel connected in series with other panels, as part of a PV array system, a distributed wireless sensor network is proposed. A reduction of more than 50% in convergence time (when mismatching occurs) was observed by applying the new algorithm.