A Two-Stage Algorithm to Harvest Maximum Power from Photovoltaic System

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are gradually becoming the key renewable source of electrical energy. But the nonlinear characteristics of the PV module require special techniques to harvest maximum power. The techniques used to track the Maximum Power Point (MPP) from the nonlinear I-V characteristics through power electronic circuits are known as Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques. Although enormous MPPT techniques have been anticipated in literature, each endures its own advantages and disadvantages. This paper proposes a novel hybrid technique to enhance the performance of Incremental conductance (InC) technique. Our proposed technique removes the limitations of InC under rapid changing environmental condition. It improves the efficiency and reduces the oscillation power loss under steady state. A hybrid combination of variable-step sized Incremental Conductance with Fractional Short Circuit Current (FSCC) technique is proposed in this research work. Initially, the FSCC forces the PV system to work near MPP and then InC technique track the exact peak. Matlab/Simulink software is used to implement the proposed hybrid technique. Finally, the results verify its superior performance under rapidly changing environmental conditions.