Maximum power point tacking simulation of PV array at partially shaded condition using LabVIEW

Abstract

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is an important technique which extract maximum power from Photovoltaic (PV) array at any operating conditions. The operation of photovoltaic array is affected by the temperature, solar irradiation and array configuration. Different MPPTs are proposed over the years and the conventional MPPT methods are Perturb and Observe (P & O), Incremental Conductance methods etc. They are very effective in uniform illumination condition but they are failing to operate accurately at partially shaded condition (PSC) due to the multiple peaks in Power - Voltage (P-V) characteristics. In conventional MPPT methods, there is a chance to get struck at the local maxima in P-V characteristics. This paper deals with the technique to estimate the MPP of PV array at partial shading condition without stuck at local maxima power point. It describes the design of PV simulation model in LabVIEW software and its MPPT simulation for both uniform and partially shaded condition. This model can be used for the analysis of P-V characteristics of PV array at partially shaded condition and for MPPT control applications.