Unbounded Binary Search Method for Fast-tracking Maximum Power Point of Photovoltaic Modules

Abstract

A maximum power point tracking (MPPT) system with fast-tracked time and high power efficiency is presented in this paper. The proposed MPPT system uses an unbounded binary search (UBS) algorithm that continuously tracks the maximum power point (MPP) with a binary system to follow the MPP under rapid–weather-change conditions. The proposed algorithm can decide the correct direction of the MPPT system while comparing the previous power point with the present power point. And then, by fixing the MPP until finding the next MPP, there is no oscillation of voltage MPP, which maximizes the overall power efficiency of the photovoltaic module. With these advantages, this proposed UBS is able to detect the MPP more effectively. This MPPT system is based on a boost converter with a micro-control unit to control analog-to-digital converters and pulse width modulation. Analysis of this work and experimental results show that the proposed UBS MPPT provides fast, accurate tracking with no oscillation in situations where weather rapidly changes and shadow is caused by all sorts of things. The tracking time is reduced by 87.3% and 66.1% under dynamic-state and steady-state operation, respectively, as compared with the conventional 7-bit perturb and observe technique.