Comparative Analysis of Maximum Power Point Tracking Techniques for Photovoltaic Systems

Ever since the advent of proposals that promote conservation of nature and satiate the rapidly increasing demand, renewable power generating systems have become tremendously in vogue and an essential study subject. Solar energy is one of the most predominant sources of renewable energies throughout the world as it is an efficient, inexhaustible, green source of energy. It is harnessed by devices known as ‘photovoltaic modules’, abbreviated as PV modules or in simpler terms, solar panels; which function by capturing the sun’s irradiance, process it and convert the same into useful electrical power. ‘Maximum Power Point Tracking’, often abbreviated as ‘MPPT’ algorithms is incorporated in solar panels, primarily used to enhance the efficiency of the PV modules. In this paper, we delineate an overview of two predominantly used MPPT techniques namely, Perturb and Observe Algorithm & Incremental Conductance Algorithm for analyzing, simulating, and evaluating a PV power supply system under various temperature and irradiance conditions prevalent over Neemrana, Rajasthan. The study further lays emphasis on a comparative study of the two MPPT algorithms according to simulation results produced using MATLAB/Simulink