Providing Low Current Ripple and MPPT Requirements in PV Panels with IBC Operating in Critical Current Mode

Abstract

As energy demand increases, the investment cost of photovoltaic (PV) systems decreases due to mass production. That results the usage of PV panels to become widespread. Changes in environmental conditions result in a change in the power produced by PV panels. Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is proposed to handle this problem. In addition to changing environmental conditions, the current ripple of the PV panel is another significant problem for the power produced. High current ripples affect the dynamic response of the PV panels and make it difficult to maintain the system to operate at maximum power point. Using an interleaved boost converter (IBC) and driving the converters in critical conduction mode (CRM) is a well-known solution for reducing high current ripple and switching losses in power supplies. In this study, an IBC operating in CRM with MPPT and ensuring low current ripple from the panels is proposed. To verify the theoretical approach, experimental and simulation studies were conducted. A 30 W prototype is designed and tested under various conditions. The MPPT efficiency of the prototype circuit is measured as 98.1%. It has been seen that the real-time and simulation results are in accordance with the theoretical ones.