A study of a two-stage maximum power point tracking control of a photovoltaic system under partially shaded insolation conditions

A photovoltaic (PV) array shows relatively low output power density, and has a greatly drooping current–voltage (I–V) characteristic. Therefore, Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) control is used to maximize the output power of the PV array. Many papers have been reported in relation to MPPT. However, the current–power (I–P) curve sometimes shows multi-local maximum power points mode under nonuniform insolation conditions. The operating point of the PV system tends to converge to a local maximum output power point which is not the real maximal output point on the I–P curve. Some papers have tried to avoid this difficulty. However, most of those control systems become rather complicated. The two-stage MPPT control method is proposed in this paper to realize a relatively simple control system which can track the real maximum power point even under nonuniform insolation conditions. The feasibility of this control concept is confirmed for steady insolation as well as for rapidly changing insolation by simulation study using software PSIM and LabVIEW. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 153(4): 39–49, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20188