| Abstract |
A Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) converter based on a novel Parallel Power Conversion Technique (PPCT), to enhance the converter efficiency, is evaluated under laboratory and field conditions. The converter is controlled to track the maximum power point of the input photovoltaic (PV) source, under varying input and output parameters. Maximum power point tracking for relative small systems is achieved by maximization of the output current to the battery, using an optimized hill-climbing, inexpensive microprocessor based algorithm. Extensive practical results are included with a full description of the new converter topology under real operating conditions. A comparative field evaluation on a MPPT and a standard series regulator is included in the paper. |
