An online autonomous I–V tracer for PV monitoring applications

In this paper, an I-V tracer which operates autonomously, with no need to be disconnected from its load, will be discussed. The current state of I-V tracers commercially available will be discussed and motivation will be provided for the online autonomous I-V tracer. Design of such an I-V tracer using the single-ended primary inductance converter (SEPIC) will be discussed, and simulation results of the converter operating as an I-V tracer will be presented. Analysis techniques of the I-V curve are also presented.