Research of PV Model and MPPT Methods in Matlab

Wang NianCHun, Sun Zuo Kazuto Yukita, Yasuyuki Goto, Katsuhiro Ichiyanagi
School of Electrical Engineering Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
SouthEast University Aichi Institute of Technology
Nanjing, 210096, China Nagoya, 470-0392, Japan
E-mail: wxy01@seu.edu.cn E-mail: itiya@aitech.ac.jp

Abstract—The power generated by the PV generator depends on
the irradiance, temperature, and surface conditions. The PV
generator has a nonlinear characteristic, and the power has a
maximum power point or multi-local maximum power points
under different conditions. Various MPPT methods have been
reported, in order to confirm the effectiveness of each control
method, experimental or simulation analysis is used, from
economical point of view, simulation analysis is more effective. In
this paper, a versatile, accurate Matlab/Simulink PV model
suitable for use by power electronics specialists has been
developed, and has been designed for easy implementation on
Matlab/Simulink platform; conventional MPPT methods and
MPPT methods suitable for partial shading conditions can be
simulated by using this PV model.
Keywords- Maximum power point tracking; PV model; shading
PV characteristic curves; dP/dV; Matlab/Simulink
I. INTRODUCTION
200
dP/dV=0
TC = 25°C
dP/dV>0 dP/dV<0
160
G = 1000W / m 2 MPP
PV Power(W)
(1)Constant Voltage method (CV);
(2)Perturbation and Observation method (P&O);
(3)Incremental Conductance method (IncCond) etc.
The CV method is based on the fact that generally the ratio
VMPP/VOC≈0.76 (Fig. 1). In this algorithm, the MPPT controller
periodically sets the PV generator current to zero to allow a
measurement of the PV’s open circuit voltage. A problem with
this algorithm is that the available energy is wasted when the
PV generator current is set to zero, and at the same time power
supply is interrupted, also the MPP is not always located at
76% of the PV’s open circuit voltage.
The last two methods are so called “hill-climbing”
methods, and they using the fact that the PV power-voltage
curve having only one peak value along with whole scope
voltage (Fig. 1). The advantages of the P&O method is that it is
easy to implement, but it has some limitations, like slow
response speed, oscillations around the MPP in steady state
operation, and even tracking in wrong way under rapidly
changing atmospheric conditions. The IncCond method can
track rapidly changing irradiance conditions with higher
accuracy than P&O. However, it has many disadvantages:
required high precision, low noise A/D; complicated
computation and more computational time; confused in rapidly

G = 600W / m 2 changing environmental factors.

120
VMPP / VOC ≈ Constant
G = 200W / m 2
II. PV MODULE MODEL IN MATLAB/SIMULINK
80
The mathematic equations described PV model can be
divided into four aspects [6]:
40
(1)Relations between solar cell temperature and ambient
temperature
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
⎧⎪Tc = Ta + C2Ga
VMPP VOC ⎨ 2
PV Voltage(V) ⎪⎩C2 = 0.03Km /W
Figure 1. SPG1786T-02E PV modules with different irradiation P-V (1)
curves calculated by model (2)Expressions of PV photocurrent IPH
The power delivered by the PV generator depends on the Ga
I PH = ⎡⎣1 + α × (Tc − Tc1 ) / I sc (Tc1, nom ) ⎤⎦ × I sc (Tc1, nom ) ×
environmental factors: irradiance, temperature, and shadowing Ga ( nom )
conditions, it is never constant over time. Whatsoever stand- (2)
alone system or connected-grid system, and whatsoever two (3)Expressions of PV open circuit voltage VOC
stages of PV converter system or single stage PV converter
system, it is very important to operate PV energy conversion ⎧VOC = VOC (Tc1 ) + β (Tc − Tc1 )
systems near maximum power point (MPP) to obtain the ⎨
⎩ β = −2.3 ×10 V/K
−3
approximately max power of PV generator. Many maximum (3)
power point tracking (MPPT) methods have been developed, Strictly speaking, VOC is not only affected by solar cell
such as [1]-[5]: temperature, but also by irradiance, especially at low
irradiation strength.
This research was partly supported by the Ministry of Education, Science,
Sports and Culture of Japan, Private University Scientific Study Advancement
Promotion Work in 2006, Social Cooperation Promotion Work,
“Development of New Electric Power Supply System by Micro-grid
Network”.

978-1-4244-4813-5/10/$25.00 ©2010 Crown

 (4)Expressions of PV I-V
Ga
I = ⎡⎣1 + α × (Tc − Tc1 ) / I sc (Tc1,nom ) ⎤⎦ × I sc (Tc1,nom ) × 1.02
Ga ( nom )
Tc = −20°C
3
qVg ⎛ 1 1 ⎞
1.00
I (T ) ⎛T ⎞ n − ×⎜ − ⎟
nk ⎝ Tc Tc 1 ⎠
− sc
×⎜ c ⎟ ×e
c1
× Tc = −5°C
⎛ ⎞ ⎝ Tc1 ⎠
qVOC (Tc1 )/ N s

IMPP/ISC@MPP
.98
⎜e − 1⎟
nkTc 1
⎜ ⎟
⎝ ⎠ .96
Tc = 25°C
⎧⎪ q (VnkT
+ IRS )
⎫⎪ V + IRS Tc = 10°C
⎨e c
− 1⎬ − .94
⎪⎩ ⎪⎭ RSH
(4) .92 Tc = 40°C
The model of the PV module was implemented using a
Matlab/Simulink Level 2 s-function. The model parameters are .90
evaluated during execution using the equations (1) ~ (4). There 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
are 24 input parameters in the model. The model considers the Irradiation(W / m2 )
series resistance and shunt resistance, by set the input
Figure 3. IMPP/ISC at MPP versus irradiation curve calculated by
parameter TestRp greater than 1, the influence of RSH is
model
calculated. Because equation (4) is non-linear, so it only can be
solved using numerical methods, the Newton-Raphson method B. dP/dV Versus I Control Method
was used in this paper model. Symbols in equations refer to [6].
The P&O method measures the increment of power (△P)
The I-V, P-V curves under various irradiance and constant and the increment of voltage (△V) to judge the momentary
temperature calculated by Matlab/Simulink model show good operating region, it has some limitations.
correspondence to the manufacturer’s published curves [6].
The present study indicts that the PV generator’s derivative
of power versus voltage (dP/dV) in relation to V and in relation
to I. dP/dV versus V is found to be nonlinear, so that the
change of reference voltage is difficult to compute. On the
other hand, dP/dV versus I can be proved theoretically to be
nearly linear, so that the change of current is easy to compute.
If does not consider the influence of series resistance RS and
shunt resistance RSH, equation (4) can be simplified as:

⎧⎪ nkT
qV
⎫⎪
Figure 2. Equivalent circuit diagram of the PV model I = I PH − I sat × ⎨e C − 1⎬
⎩⎪ ⎭⎪ (5)
III. MPPT METHODS SIMULATION USING PV MODEL IN
Isat is the diode saturation current in PV model (Fig. 2).
MATLAB/SIMULINK
From equation (5), V can be written as:
A. IMPP/ISC Constant Method (CI Method) nkTC ⎛ I + I sat − I ⎞
Like VMPP/VOC≈constant at MPP, IMPP/ISC at maximum V= × ln ⎜ PH ⎟
power point is also nearly constant; the curve shape is almost q ⎝ I sat ⎠ (6)
smooth along with whole scope irradiation, the ratio of
VMPP/VOC is affected mainly by solar cell temperature (Fig. 3). The output power of PV generator is expressed as:
In this algorithm, if the ratio of IMPP/ISC is calculated or ⎧⎪ ⎡ nkT
qV
⎤ ⎫⎪
tested at different temperature first, then the MPPT controller P = V × I = V × ⎨ I PH − I sat × ⎢e C − 1⎥ ⎬
need a temperature sensor to detect solar cell temperature to
realize a simple, speed and accurate MPPT. ⎩⎪ ⎣⎢ (7) ⎦⎥ ⎭⎪
In fact, temperature sensor is not necessary, the MPPT From equation (6), the differential of I to V can be
controller periodically close a short-circuit switch to allow a expressed as:
measurement of the PV’s short circuit current, and considers
dI q
the ratio of IMPP/ISC is nearly constant. A problem with this =− × ( I PH + I sat − I )
algorithm is that the available energy is wasted when the short- dV nkTC (8)
circuit switch turns on, and at the same time power supply is
interrupted. From equation (7), the differential of P to V can be written
as:
 dP d (VI ) dI
= = I +V ×
dV dV dV 7
Tc = 25°C
⎛ q ⎞
= I +V ×⎜ − × ( I PH + I sat − I ) ⎟ 2

⎝ nkTC ⎠ G = 200W / m2
-3
⎛ q ⎞ ⎛ q ⎞ G = 400W / m2
= ⎜1 + ×V ⎟ × I − ⎜ ( I PH + I sat ) ⎟ × V

dP/dV
⎝ nkTC ⎝ nkTC
-8
⎠ ⎠ G = 600W / m2

(9) -13 G = 800W / m 2

If defined C1 as:
G = 1000W / m 2
⎛ q ⎞ -18

C1 = ⎜1 + ×V ⎟
⎝ nkTC ⎠ (10)
-23
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
C2 as: Current(A)
⎛ q ⎞ Figure 4. dP/dV versus current curve calculated by model
C2 = ⎜ ( I PH + I sat ) ⎟ × V
⎝ nkTC ⎠ (11)
Then Equation (9) can be simplified as:
dP
= C1 × I − C2
dV (12)
In the process of MPPT, to avoid the system operating in
the collapse region, the PV generator is always operated in the
negative slope region of the characteristic P versus V curve [8].
In this region, the PV generator voltage variation is small (see
right region in Fig. 1), and can almost be considered as
constant. So C1 is only affected by solar cell temperature, C2 is
mainly affected by irradiation (Isat usually is very small
compared to IPH). If TC is constant, dP/dV versus I is nearly
linear, and the curve of dP/dV versus I is affected by Figure 5. Simulation circuit under partial shading conditions
irradiation.
1×1000W / m 2 (25°C ) Parallel 1×1000W / m 2 (25°C )
Fig. 4 is the curve of dP/dV versus current calculated by
model. From this figure, the relation of dP/dV versus I is nearly 1×1000W / m 2 (25°C ) Parallel 1× 500W / m 2 (10°C )
linear, just like equation (12). 1× 500W / m 2 (10°C ) Parallel 1× 500W / m 2 (10°C )
Thus, because of the relation of dP/dV versus I is nearly 360
linear, so that the reference current command Iref is easily
acquired by computing the relative variation of dP/dV versus I. 300
That means, when I is varied, dP/dV is varied proportionally,
so that the tracking process with linearly increasing or 240
decreasing Iref is rapid and smooth. By using dP/dV as an index
Power(W)

to control output current of PV generator, the proposed MPPT

180
controller allows a PV energy conversion system to track
maximum power points very rapidly and smoothly.
120
C. P-V Curve Simulation and MPPT Methods under Partial
Shaded Conditions 60

Shadows created by clouds, neighboring buildings, trees,

aging cells, pollution areas on the surface of solar cell etc 0
change the shape of PV modules power-voltage curve. In order 0 5 10 15 20 25 30

to obtain the P-V curves under partial shading conditions, Voltage(V)

series connection and parallel connection are stimulated (Fig.
5).
From Fig. 6, the shape of parallel P-V curve under partial
shading condition is very similar to the shape of P-V curve
under normal condition: the power has one maximum point
along with full range voltage. So the MPPT methods suitable
under normal condition are also suitable under partial shading
condition.
Figure 6. Parallel P-V curve under partial shading conditions
calculated by model
In Fig. 7, solar cell temperature is 25℃, one solar cell’s
irradiation is 1000W/m2, and another solar cell’s irradiation is
200W/m2, the peak value of power in right side is smaller than
the left one, so conventional MPPT methods may not be
suitable. If more PV modules series and more complex
shading conditions, multi-local maximum power points will
appear in the P-V curve. Because of the shading conditions are
uncontrollable, so conventional MPPT methods can’t
converge to the real maximum power point normally under
these conditions.
1×1000W / m2 (25°C ) Series 1×1000W / m2 (25°C )
1× 1000W / m 2 (25°C ) Series 1× 200W / m 2 (25°C )
1× 200W / m2 (25°C ) Series 1× 200W / m 2 (25°C )
360
300
240
Power(W)
180
120
60
0 Microcontroller-Based Photovoltaic Maximum Power Point Tracking
0 10 20 30 40 50
Voltage(V)
Figure 7. Two SPG1786T-02E PV modules with different irradiation
series P-V curve calculated by model
Some MPPT methods have been developed to find MPP in
partially shaded conditions, and they may be divided into two
kinds of types: (1) Hardware methods [9]-[11]. In these types,
each PV panel in PV generator has a parallel power repair unit,
when the PV panel is shaded, the power repair unit can supply
compensation current, this makes the P-V curve of the PV
generator has only one peak value along with whole scope
voltage, so conventional MPPT methods can be used. (2)
Software methods. In these types, the P-V curve of PV
generator has multi-local maximum points, soft control method
is used.
Software methods can be divided into following types:
(1)Current sweeping method [12];
(2)Short-circuit current pulse method [13];
(3)Fibonacci search method [14]. This method gives fast
response, and it is able to handle multi-local maximum points,
but it requires powerful digital microcontroller to calculate the
process;
(4)State-based space approach [15];
(5)Compound MPPT methods combined with conventional
MPPT methods [16].
IV. CONCLUSIONS
MPPT methods are very important for PV generator, many
papers have been reported various MPPT control techniques,
most of them are brought forwards and verified by
experiments. In this paper, a versatile, accurate
Matlab/Simulink PV model suitable for use by power
electronics specialists has been developed, and has been
designed for easy implementation on Matlab/Simulink
platform. By using the model, several MPPT methods are
verified, the simulations results show good correspondence to
the results of theoretic analysis.
Most of MPPT methods are based on hill-climbing
algorithms, but the method can’t work correctly if some panels
of PV generator are partially shaded. This paper gives a simple
overview of MPPT methods suitable for partially shaded PV
generator, and the P-V characteristics of PV generator under
partial shading conditions are simulated by model, MPPT
methods under partial shading conditions will be examined in
later research.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This research was partly supported by the Ministry of
Education, Science, Sports and Culture of Japan, Private
University Scientific Study Advancement Promotion Work in
2006, Social Cooperation Promotion Work, “Development of
New Electric Power Supply System by Micro-grid Network”.
Authors would like to greatly appreciate for this grant
program.
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