IRJET- Development and Comparison of an Improved Incremental Conductance Algorithm for Tracking the MPPT of a Solar PV Panel

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 05 Issue: 11 | Nov 2018 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
© 2018, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 7.211 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 936
DEVELOPMENT AND COMPARISON OF AN IMPROVED INCREMENTAL
CONDUCTANCE ALGORITHM FOR TRACKING THE MPPT OF A SOLAR PV
PANEL
P. NARESH, B. PARAMESHWAR REDDY, GONDI VEERABHADRA, K. SWETHA
--------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------
ABSTRACT - Solar energy is one of the most important
renewable energy sources. Photovoltaic power is one of
the main ways of solar energy utilization, has the
characteristics of environmentally-friendly and non-
polluting, application range is very wide, has now been
used in communication, transportation and other fields,
has a place in the national economy energy system.
However, the use of the solar energy is deeply influenced
by the terrain, topography, position, weather and any
other natural conditions, and has the problem about
intermittence, sunlight direction and intensity changing
along with the time, so it requires a higher request of
collecting and using solar energy. In current technology
condition, the utilization of tracking PV system is an
optimum selection for enhancing system efficiency and
reducing cost. Interacting with atmospheric phenomena
involving reflection, scattering, and absorption of
radiation, the quantity of solar energy that reaches the
earth's surface is reduced in intensity.
The conventional perturbation and observation
(PO) MPPT algorithm is impossible to quickly acquire
the maximum power point (MPP), and the tracking
course is very difficulty under veil weather conditions,
and the essential reason is not known the actual values.
The incremental conductance techniques are widely
used due to its ease to implementation and high tracking
efficiency. The MPP is not known on the V-I or V-P curve,
and it can be located by search algorithms such as the
perturbation and observation (P&O) algorithms, the
incremental conductance (InC) algorithm. In this work,
proposed an improved InC algorithm for tracking a MPP
on the V-I characteristic of the solar PV panel. The
simulation results obtained validated the effectiveness of
the proposal under various atmospheric conditions
using MATLAB SIMULINK software.
1. INTRODUCTION
As solar power increases in popularity, the need
for this power to become more efficient is evident. Clean,
renewable energy sources are becoming more desirable
throughout the world, and solar power provides this.
Unfortunately, solar energy is not as efficient as
traditional energy sources such as coal, but electronics
can be used to create more stable and efficient sources to
offset the problems associated with using solar panels.
The problem that arises is that many of these electronics
are quite expensive, and do not necessarily work well
outside of a larger system. These systems are often very
complex, and not easily repaired or modified. To settle
the issue of cost and unpredictability, an ease, simple to
utilize electronic system can be made to more readily
give solar power. Making this system easy to change,
efficient, and repairable is a need, particularly in the
event that it is to be sent in provincial or creating
territories. By making a streamlined, hardy device, solar
power can be made more promptly accessible and
moderate than conventional vitality utilize. The initial
phase in building up the Maximum Power Point Tracker
was to choose the sort of solar board and battery it is
associated with.
It is very important with photovoltaic
generation to operate the system at high power
efficiency by ensuring that, the system is always working
at the peak power point regardless of changes in load
and weather conditions. In other words, transfer the
maximum power to the load by matching the source
impedance with the load one. To confirm that, an MPPT
system has been implemented which enables the
maximum power to be delivered during the operation of
the solar array and which tracks the variations in
maximum power caused by the changes in the
atmospheric conditions.
As the solar panel outputs power, its maximum
generated power changes with the atmospheric
conditions (solar radiation and temperature) and the
electrical characteristic of the load may also vary. Thus,
the PV array internal impedance rarely matches the load
impedance. It is crucial to operate the photovoltaic
generation system at the MPP or near to it to ensure the
optimal use of the available solar energy. The main
objective of the MPPT is to match these two parameters
by adjusting the duty ratio of the power converter. As
the location of the MPP on the I-V curve varies in an
unpredictable manner it cannot be defined beforehand
due to changes of irradiation and PV panel temperature.
Accordingly, the use of MPPT algorithm or calculating
model is required to locate this point.
There are several methods to track the MPP of
the photovoltaic system that have been carefully studied,
developed and published over the last decades. There
are variations between these techniques in terms of,
simplicity, sensor requirements, cost, range of efficiency,
convergence speed and hardware implementation. Some
MPPT algorithms outperform the others under the same
operating conditions.

2. RENEWABLE ENERGY
Renewable energy source (RE) got from normal
sources such as wind, solar, hydro and biomass has
potential to meet assorted and developing vitality
prerequisites. Generally, Renewable Energy sources
have been utilized for heating, cooking, steam creation,
moving ships and likewise to power plants to crush
grains. Similar sources are presently being misused
monetarily and have the possibility to furnish modern
vitality end-utilize administrations with no negative
ecological results. There are a few advantages emerging
out of the utilization of RE separated from being
naturally maintainable. RE adds to financial
improvement by meeting and supplementing provincial
vitality needs. It can give decentralized vitality supply to
farming, nearby industry, business and household areas.
Harnessing RE in rustic zones through gainful
utilizations can likewise make business openings, raise
wage levels and enhance quality of life. RE has been
exhibited as potential feasible alternative for enhancing
access to vitality in numerous spots through off grid zap
and in addition for hostage utilization in enterprises. RE
sources enhance decent variety in vitality supply
showcases and secure long haul maintainable vitality
supplies other than making nearby assembling abilities.
An alternative to the nuclear and fossil fuel
power is renewable energy technologies (hydro, wind,
solar, biomass, geothermal, and ocean). Large scale
hydroelectric projects have become increasingly difficult
to carry through in recent years because of competing
use of land and water. Relicensing requirements of
existing hydro plants may even lead to removal of some
dams to protect or restore wildlife habitats. Among the
other renewable power sources, wind and solar have
recently experienced a rapid growth around the world.
Having wide geographical spread, they can be generated
close to the load focuses, thus at the same time wiping
out the need of high voltage transmission lines going
through country and urban landscapes.
The present status and benefits of the
renewable power sources are compared with the
conventional ones in Tables 2.1. The renewable compare
well with the conventional in economy. Many energy
scientists and economists believe that the renewable
would get much more federal and state incentives if their
social benefits were given full credit.
Table 2.1: Status of Conventional and Renewable Power
Sources
S.No. Conventional Renewable
1. Coal, nuclear, oil, and
natural gas
Wind, solar, biomass
geothermal, and ocean
2. Fully matured
technologies
Rapidly developing
technologies
3. Numerous tax and Some tax credits and
investment subsidies
embedded in national
economies
grants available from
some federal and/or
state governments
4. Accepted in society
under the ‘grandfather
clause’ as necessary
evil
Being accepted on its
own merit, even with
limited valuation of
their environmental and
other social benefits
For example, the value of not generating one ton
of CO2, SO2, and NOx, and the value of not building long
high voltage transmission lines through rural and urban
areas are not adequately reflected in the present
evaluation of the renewable.
Until the late 1980s, the enthusiasm for the
sustainable was kept principally among private financial
specialists. However, as the considerations of fuel decent
variety, natural concerns and market vulnerabilities are
getting to be vital components into the present electric
utility resource arranging, sustainable power source
technologies are starting to discover their place in the
utility resource portfolio. Wind and solar power,
specifically, have the accompanying preferences to the
electric utilities:
Both are highly modular in that their capacity can be
increased incrementally to match with gradual load
growth.
 Their construction lead time is significantly shorter
than those of the conventional plants, thus reducing
the financial and regulatory risks.
 They bring diverse fuel sources that are free of cost
and free of pollution.
Because of these benefits, many utilities and
regulatory bodies are increasingly interested in
acquiring hands on experience with renewable energy
technologies in order to plan effectively for the future.
Different types of renewable energy source are as
follows:
 Bio-fuel
 Biomass
 Geothermal
 Hydropower
 Solar energy
 Tidal power
 Wave power
 Wind power
3. SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC
The topic of solar vitality use has been viewed
by numerous researchers all around the world. It has
been realized that solar cell works at low efficiency and
thus a superior control mechanism is required to

increase the efficiency of the solar cell. In this field
researchers have created what are currently called the
Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms.
The vitality prices continue ascending and in addition
the consumer demand however thanks to the fiscal
favorable circumstances that the states or government
channels are putting forth, the market for solar power
equipment is on the ascent. Photovoltaic (PV)
establishment's capacity was completed amid 2010 and
has increased by more than 55 percent in comparison to
2009, alongside that the typical size of the PV system is
additionally expanding Significant incentives program
are being offered by numerous states and therefore, the
PV advertise is expanding to those distinctive states.
Long haul circumstance of the solar market looks bright.
It should however be remembered that although solar
vitality as a source is free, its conversion isn't free as it
requires diverse devices like solar boards, batteries,
inverter and distinctive cables and switches to make
reference to yet a not many which at last have costs. The
conversion of solar vitality to electricity is clarified in
this investigation.
Photovoltaic is viewed as a phenomenon in which solar
radiation is converted into electricity without utilizing
invigorating mechanisms; and photovoltaic system is
respected to any system utilizing such phenomenon. It is
the most usable system of application of modern
energies. Up until this point, different systems with
various capacities (0.5 watt up to a few megawatts) have
been introduced and kept running throughout the world;
and given their unwavering quality and performance,
application for them increases each day.
Fig.3.1: PV with boost converter and resistive load
The topology examine in this thesis will be a
photovoltaic connected with a converter focusing on the
boost alongside a resistive load. Boost converter with a
controller for the most extreme power point, which is
utilized to track the MPP of the PV. This topology is
shown in Fig.3.1. It permits contemplating the efficiency
of the most extreme power point control method and the
performance of the PV to achieve the greatest power at
various temperature and irradiance.
3.1 PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL
Solar cells are the basic components of
photovoltaic boards. Most are produced using silicon
despite the fact that other materials are likewise utilized.
Solar cells exploit the photoelectric effect: the capacity of
a few semiconductors to convert electromagnetic
radiation directly into electrical current. The charged
particles generated by the incident radiation are isolated
conveniently to create an electrical current by a suitable
plan of the structure of the solar cell. A solar cell is
basically a p-n junction which is produced using two
unique layers of silicon doped with a little amount of
pollution particles: on account of the n-layer, molecules
with one more valence electron, called benefactors, and
on account of the p-layer, with one less valence electron,
known as acceptors. When the two layers are
consolidated, close to the interface the free electrons of
the n-layer are diffused in the p-side, deserting a zone
decidedly charged by the benefactors. Likewise, the free
holes in the p-layer are diffused in the n-side,
abandoning a district contrarily charged by the
acceptors. This creates an electrical field between the
opposite sides that is a potential hindrance to further
stream. The balance is reached in the junction when the
electrons and holes cannot outperform that potential
obstruction and consequently they cannot move. This
electric field pulls the electrons and holes in inverse
directions so the current can stream in one way no one
but: electrons can move from the p-side to the n-side and
the holes the other way.
PV cell is a semiconductor p-n intersection that
changes sunlight to electrical power. To model a solar
cell, it is basic that we survey the effect of various factors
on the solar boards and to consider the characteristics
given by the manufacturers in the datasheet. It is to be
noticed that to shape a PV module, an arrangement of
cells are connected in series or in parallel. To frame a PV
exhibit, an arrangement of PV modules are connected in
series and in parallel. Thus, the mathematical models for
PV exhibit are achieved while using the basic description
proportional circuit of the PV cells.
A PV cell is typically exemplified by an electrical
likeness one-diode, resistance series Rs and resistance
parallel Rp as shown in Fig.3.2.
Fig.3.2: Equivalent circuit of solar cell with one diode

4. MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING
In this Chapter, two of the most common MPPT
algorithms, annoy and see and in addition incremental
conductance, were utilized to control the converter and
solar board with the goal that the board worked at its
MPP. The logic within these algorithms decides the
condition of the solar board's power in connection to its
voltage and then decides how to adjust the control
parameters with the end goal to discover the MPP. Once
the algorithm figures out what should be done, there are
a few factors that can be controlled to force the system
to the MPP. For most extreme power exchange, the load
should be matched to the resistance of the PV board at
MPP. Therefore, to work the PV boards at its MPP, the
system should have the capacity to match the load
automatically and likewise change the introduction of
the PV board to track the Sun if conceivable (Sun
tracking is typically let well enough alone for most
systems because of the high cost of producing the
mechanical tracker). A control system that controls the
voltage or current to achieve greatest power is required.
This is achieved utilizing a MPPT algorithm to track the
greatest power.
A controller that tracks the greatest power point locus of
the PV exhibit is known as a MPPT controller. There are
a few algorithms to track the MPP and a couple of
common greatest power point tracking algorithms have
been surveyed. For ideal task, the load line must match
the PV clusters MPP locus and if the particular load isn't
utilizing the greatest power, a power conditioner should
be utilized in the middle of the exhibit and the load.
Some of the frequently discussed MPPT techniques
in the literature are as follows:
 Fractional short circuit current (Isc), a current
based MPPT
 Fractional open circuit voltage (Voc), a voltage
based MPPT
 Perturb and Observe (P&O) /Hill climbing
 Incremental Conductance Technique (ICT)
 Constant Reference Voltage(CRV)
Fig.4. 1: Basic MPPT system
Advantages of the MPPT approach
 Only one ac current sensor is required to sense ac
inverter current output for MPPT purpose in a
balanced three-phase system.
 No dc sensors required, nor multiplier required
revealing the power in digital control. This simplifies
algorithm and computation.
 Since no voltage (no power) measurement is
required, this avoids additional software filtering for
the oscillating PV voltage.
The basic theory behind maximum power point
tracking is described in this Chapter, and several of the
most widely used MPPT algorithms are explained.
5. SIMULATION RESULTS
5.1 INTRODUCTION
This Chapter presents detailed simulation
results of the proposed solar photovoltaic using
improved InC MPPT & will be compared with
conventional MPPT. The simulated system is shown in
Fig. 5.1. Simulation studies are carried out in the
MATLAB/SIMULINK environment.
5.2 PROPOSED TOPOLOGY
Simulations are performed using
MATLAB/SIMULINK software for tracking MPPs of the
solar PV array whose specifications and parameters are
in Table 5.1.
Fig.5.1: MATLAB SIMULINK model for solar PV system
The solar PV panel provides a maximum output
power at a MPP with VMPP and IMPP. The MPP is defined at
the standard test condition of the irradiation, 1 kW/m2
and module temperature, 25 °C but this condition does
not exist most of the time. The following simulations are
Discrete,
Ts = 5e-005 s.
powergui
v
+
-
25
Temperature
Rload
R1
Temp
Insolation
Vpv
Ipv
PV model
V
I
D
Pmax
P & O MPPT
Obtained Maximum Power
L
irradiation
Irradiation g
C
E
IGBT Switch
s
-
+
C1
C
Discrete,
Ts = 5e-005 s.
pow ergui
obtained maximum power
v
+
-
25
Temperature
Rload
R2
Temp
Insolation
Vpv
Ipv
PV model
L
irradiation
Irradiation
V
I
D
Pmax
Improved INC MPPT
g
C
E
IGBT Switch
s
-
+
C2
C1

implemented to confirm the effectiveness of the
improved InC algorithm which is compared with those of
the InC and P&O algorithms. MATLAB SIMULINK block
diagram is shown in Fig, 5.1.
 Case 1: It is assumed that the module
temperature is constant, T = 25 °C.
 Case 2: It is assumed that both the module
temperature and solar irradiation are
changed.
Table 5.1: Simulation parameters
S. No. Description Values
1. Maximum power, Pmax 22 W
2. Short-circuit current, Is c 1.34 A
3. Open-circuit voltage, Voc 21.99 V
5.3 SIMULATION RESULT ANALYSIS
Fig.5.2: The variations of the solar irradiation and
temperature
Fig.5.3: OMP with the P&O and improved InC algorithms
under the variation of the solar irradiation
Fig.5.4: OMP with the InC and improved InC algorithms
under the variation of the solar irradiation
Fig.5.5: OMP with the P&O and improved InC algorithms
under both the variations of the solar irradiation and
temperature
The obtained output powers are shown as in Fig.
5.5 & 5.6 using the P&O, InC and improved InC
algorithms under the variation of both the temperature
and solar irradiation. It can be realized that the
simulation results of the cases using the improved InC
algorithm are always better than the cases using the P&O
and InC algorithms, Figs. 5.3–5.4 and Figs.5.5–5.6. The
better results are shown through the algorithm
convergence and the MPPs’ tracking ability, especially
with the rapid variation of both the temperature and
solar irradiation. This means that the drawbacks of the
InC algorithm have been overcome using the proposed
InC algorithm.
Fig.5.6: OMP with the InC and improved InC algorithms
under both the variations of the solar irradiation and
temperature
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
0
250
500
750
1000
1250
Time (sec)
SolarIrradiation,G(W/Squaremeter)
10*Temperature(c)
Temperature
Solar irradiation
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Time (sec)
Obtainedmaximumpower,P(W)
P&O Improved Inc
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Time (sec)
InC
Improved InC
0 1 2 3 4 5
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Time (sec)
P&O
Improved Inc
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Time (sec)
InC
Improved InC

CONCLUSION
In this thesis, the adaptive and optimal control
strategy plays an important role in the development of
solar PV systems. This strategy is based on the
combination between the ST and MPPT in order to
ensure that the solar PV panel is capable of harnessing
the maximum solar energy following the sun’s trajectory
from dawn until dusk and is always operated at the
MPPs with the improved InC algorithm. The proposed
InC algorithm improves the conventional InC algorithm
with an approximation which reduces the computational
burden as well as the application of the CV algorithm to
limit the search space and increase the convergence
speed of the InC algorithm. This improvement
overcomes the existing drawbacks of the InC algorithm.
An adaptive and optimal control strategy in the solar PV
panel through the comparisons with other strategies is
validated through simulation studies.
REFERENCES
[1]. V. Padmanabhan,V. Beena, andM. Jayaraju, “Fuzzy
logic based maximum power point tracker for a
photovoltaic system,” in Proc. Int. Conf. Power
Signals, Control Comput., 2012, pp. 1–6.
[2]. M. A. Azam, S. A. A. Nahid, M. M. Alam, and B. A.
Plabon, “Microcontroller based high precision PSO
algorithm for maximum solar power tracking,” in
Proc. Conf. Electron. Vis., 2012, pp. 292–297.
[3]. K. Ishaque, Z. Salam, M. Amjad, and S. Mekhilef, “An
improved particle swarm optimization (PSO)-based
MPPT for PV with reduced steady-state oscillation,”
IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 27, no. 8, pp. 3627–
3638, Aug. 2012.
[4]. D. C. Huynh, T. N. Nguyen, M. W. Dunnigan, and M. A.
Mueller, “Dynamic particle swarm optimization
algorithm based maximum power point tracking of
solar photovoltaic panels,” in Proc. IEEE Int. Symp.
Ind. Electron, 2013, pp. 1–6.
[5]. D. C. Huynh, T. M. Nguyen, M.W. Dunnigan, andM.
A.Mueller, “Global MPPT of solar PV modules is using
a dynamic PSO algorithm under partial shading
conditions,” in Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. Clean Energy
Technol., 2013, pp. 133–138.
AUTHORS
1. P. NARESH,
M. TECH scholar, EPS, EEE department, Ananthapur.
2. B. PARAMESHWAR REDDY,
Assistant Professor in the department of EEE,
Ananthapur.
3. GONDI VEERABHADRA,
M. TECH scholar, EPS, EEE department, Ananthapur.
4. K. SWETHA
Assistant Professor in the department of EEE,
Ananthapur.

IRJET- Development and Comparison of an Improved Incremental Conductance Algorithm for Tracking the MPPT of a Solar PV Panel

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