Necessity to Design a Controller for PV Module

Abstract

Solar power is future of our planet due to the depletion of non-renewable sources of energy. We all are directly dependent on non-renewable source which will only last for 1 or 2 decades. The PV cell exhibit non linear I-V and P-V characteristics. In this paper it is discussed about the factors which will affect the PV module performance. Some factors will decrease the solar cell performance while some factors will improve the efficiency and increase its output power. The performance characteristics of PV module are modeled mathematically and simulated under different atmospheric conditions. The simulation model is obtained using MATLAB software and stimulated under different values of input parameters of PV module that include irradiance and temperature. The variations of these parameters were recorded under different atmospheric conditions. The input parameters of solar cell like solar irradiance and ambient temperature was evaluated. It observed that the maximum power produced fluctuates with both irradiance and temperature. Since the conversion efficiency of PV array is exceptionally low, it requires maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control techniques. The MPPT is the programmed controlled method used to guide the solar cell to achieve the maximum power output, during minute to minute variations of atmospheric changes like irradiance and temperature. The MPPT controller is used to provide maximum power output from PV module against changes in temperature and irradiance. Results obtain by simulation are presented and discussed.