An Efficient Low-Cost Distributed MPPT Method for Energy Harvesting in Grid-Tied Three-Phase PV Power Optimizers

Abstract

The partial shading and module mismatches represent the most critical causes of low efficiency and degraded performance in energy harvesting systems of photovoltaic (PV) generation. The distributed structures of maximum power point tracking (distributed MPPT) using cascaded modules of power optimizers have become promising solutions for PV energy harvesting system. However, these cascaded structures have made the PV systems more complex and expensive. Therefore, this paper presents a new simple low-cost distributed MPPT technique for energy harvesting PV systems. Individual dc-dc power converters are attached to each PV module for extracting the maximum available power of the PV module. The new proposed system achieves the control of MPPT of each module through employing the modulation technique of the inverter system. The results and implantation of the new proposed systems verify the simpler and lower cost implementation of the PV energy harvesting system.