GMPPT of solar PV array under partial shading condition using LabVIEW FPGA

The performance of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system mainly depends upon the solar radiation level and temperature. The total power generated by the PV array is affected by partial shading conditions and it gets decreased upon shading. In order to extract maximum power under partial shading condition this paper proposes a two-step, maxima of all peak power points (MPPP) algorithm for global maximum power point tracking (GMPPT) using LabVIEW FPGA module. In the proposed algorithm the first step is to determine the value of solar PV array voltage at the global maxima of the P-V characteristics. The second step is a duty cycle control using perturb & observe (P&O) method. The proposed algorithm is executed to track the GMPP using boost DC-DC converter. The partial shading condition is detected by power threshold logic. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated through Power Simulation Computer Aided Design (PSCAD) simulation software. For real time implementation a solar array simulator (SAS) E4260A, is used for laboratory generation of solar power. The GMPPT algorithm for SAS and duty ratio control for boost DC-DC converter is implemented on FPGA controller using LabVIEW platform.