ASIC design of DMPPT control for photovoltaic systems

This paper presents ASIC design of Distributed Maximum Power Point Tracking (DMPPT) control for photovoltaic systems. This approach enables lower cost solution compared to a microprocessor-based solution. Functionality and performance of the MPPT algorithm selected was verified first by simulation and secondly by real-time testing using a FPGA, a PV emulator, an electronic loader and a DC-DC converter. A 0.35um 1-poly 3-metal 3.3V process was selected for the ASIC development. MPPT peak efficiency of over 98% is achieved.