Design of MPPT Algorithm under Partial Shadows

Wang Min Zhang Xiaol`

Lian Xiaoqin Duan Zhengang Yang Jun

College of Computer and Information Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University
Beijing Technology and Business University
Beijing, China
e-mail:zhang_xl_01@yahoo.com.cn

AbstractOwing to the complexity of the photovoltaic system
structure and their environment, especially under the partial shadows
environment, the output characteristics of photovoltaic arrays are
greatly affected. Under the partial shadows environment, power
voltage (P-V) characteristics curve is of multi-peak. This makes that
it is a difficult task to track the actual maximum power point. In
addition, most programs are not able to get the maximum power point
under these conditions. In this paper, we study the P-V curves under
both uniform illumination and partial shadows environments, and
then design an algorithm to track the maximum power point and
select the strategy to deal with the MPPT algorithm by DSP chips and
DC-DC converters. It is simple and easy to allow solar panels to
maintain the best solar energy utilization resulting in increasing
output at all times. Meanwhile, in order to track local peak point and
improve the tracking speed, the algorithm proposed DC-DC
converters operating feed-forward control scheme. Compared with
the conventional controller, this controller costs much less time. This
paper focuses mainly on specific processes of the algorithm, and
being the follow-up basis for implementation of control strategies.
Keywordsphotovoltaic array; MPPT;partial shadows; P-V
curve
I. INTRODUCTION
In response to the needs of the environment, solar energy
is direct to get, easy to use and develop and the cleanest energy
source. In response to the low-carbon life of contemporary,
solar energy must be improved its conversion efficiency and
used fully. One of the most effective ways is maximum power
point tracking (MPPT) to improve conversion efficiency of
solar energy.
It is easier to track the maximum power point under
uniform illumination environment. However, photovoltaic
arrays are installed on the roof or other building structure in
practice. Such as there are some trees, telephone poles, cable or
other obstructions existing around the construction, the
obstacles may generate partial shadows on surface of
photovoltaic arrays when the illumination angle changes by the
season or time. In addition, it will generate a similar situation
when some of the batteries are damaged. When some
photovoltaic arrays cast a shadowing block, it makes MPPT
become complicated because P-V curve is in a nonlinear case.
The study revealed that as if 10 percent of the photovoltaic
arrays were covered, the entire photovoltaic system would lose
at least 50 percent of the electricity. Therefore, it is necessary
to improve the efficiency of solar power through tracking
global maximum power point (GMPPT) under the partial
shadows environment. This paper analyzes the properties of
photovoltaic arrays and describes the strategy and algorithm of
MPPT under the partial shadows environment.
II. P-V CHARACTERISTICS UNDER UNIFORM ILLUMINATION
ENVIRONMENT
There is always a maximum power point existing on P-V
characteristic curve at a particular temperature and sunlight. It
is easy to change solar energy into electricity when the
photovoltaic modules are under uniform illumination. So it is
necessary to track the maximum power point and the
corresponding voltage in time for the photovoltaic array
characteristic curve.

Figure 1. P-V curve under uniform illumination
At present, there are many popular algorithms about
tracking maximum power point , such as perturbation and
observation, FIBONACCI algorithm, incremental conductance,
short-circuit current , open circuit voltage and so on. However,
these tracking algorithms can only be used under uniform
illumination conditions. Multiple peak points which are called
local maximum power points occur on the P-V curve under the
partial shadows environment. Therefore, it is vital to track the
local maximum power points (LMPPT) and global maximum
power point in practice.
III. P-V CHARACTERISTICS UNDER PARTIAL SHADOWS
ENVIRONMENT
Establish the photovoltaic cells array to simulate general
engineering simulation model, under the conditions of partial
shadows. The photovoltaic array consists of 5`5 modules;
Open circuit voltage of each module is V
oc
and V
oc
is equal to
60V. These blocks with irradiation are shown in the group 1 of
Fig.2, G=1kW/m
2
; When the radiation is shielded,
respectively shown in group 2 and group 3, G=0.6kW/m
2
.
G=0.2kW/m
2
.
This work was supported by China science and technology support
project #2006BAA04B05 and Beijing Municipal Education Commission
surface science and technology projects #KM201110011. Corresponding
author: Zhang Xiaoli.
978-1-4244-8039-5/11/$26.00 2011 IEEE

Figure 2. Blocks diagram of P-V array simulation model
A model of photovoltaic array simulation is obtained and
shown in Fig.2 under partial shadows environment. Then one
can get a P-V curve as follows, shown in Fig.3. According to
the photovoltaic array of Fig.2, group 1: V
1
=5 `60 `
0.8=240V; group 2: V
2
=3`60`0.8=144V; group 3: V
3
=1`
60`0.8=48V.

Figure 3. P-V characteristic curve under partial shadows
Clearly, it is available to get the following rules: under the
conditions of partial shadows, P-V characteristic curves have
multiple peak points; points on each peak occur near the
integer multiple of 80%* V
oc
; the minimum distance between
adjacent peak points is about equal to 80%* V
oc
; each voltage
value corresponding to a local maximum power point is an
integer multiple of 80%* V
oc
(n*80%* V
oc
), n takes a positive
integer and it depends upon not being blocked several
photovoltaic cells in series; maximum power points of the local
peaks and the global peaks vary with the block, but have a
general rule; as the voltage increases, the local peak points rise
until the global peak point, and then decrease.
[1]

IV. STRATEGIES ADOPTED UNDER PARTIAL SHADOWS
ENVIRONMENT
At present, most of domestic and foreign researchers
choose distributed photovoltaic arrays as the strategy under the
conditions of partial shadows. The main disadvantage of this
strategy is not economic because of multiple converters and
high cost. Therefore, there is a novel algorithm of MPPT with
the DSP processor and DC-DC converters to achieve, as shown
in Fig.4 which is also a map for the overall structure of
photovoltaic system. This algorithm makes that photovoltaic
system also ensure to work at the maximum output power point
even in complex conditions.
[2]


Figure 4. The overall photovoltaic system architecture diagram
The left of Fig.4 shows that TMS320F28027 is the DSP
chip we choose, which is responsible for achieving MPPT
function. The PWM duty cycle of its output controls the DC-
DC converter in order to make photovoltaic cells array work at
maximum power point. First convert solar energy into
electrical energy by photovoltaic arrays, then track the
maximum power point by controller, and finally supply to the
electricity load through the inverter.
[3]

V. DESIGN OF MPPT ALGORITHM
A. Process of GMPPT
According to the above rules, photovoltaic cells array
upholds the highest output in order to achieve MPPT better
through the simulation of cells array. We develop the following
GMPPT algorithm for partial shadows environment:
1) Each peak point occurs near the integer multiple of the
80%* V
oc
division, and photovoltaic cells array is not blocked
at most of the time, so when searching GMPP, the searching
method should be on the P-V curve from the right to left.
2) Similarly, take 80% of the whole cells array open circuit
voltage as reference point and then call maximum power point
tracking subroutine to search the first local maximum power
point P
i
. The corresponding voltage is V
i
.
3) The voltage corresponding to peak point usually occurs on
the multiple of 80% of a single cell open circuit voltage V
oc1
,
so make multiple value n
i
, and n
i
is approximately equal to V
i

/(0.8* V
oc1
). n
i
is a integer.
4) Global maximum power point is usually less than 80%*
V
oc
in the side, so n
i+1
is a multiple which the peak value of
next wave divided by 80% of the single cell open circuit
voltage gains, n
i+1
= n
i
-1.
5) The inference from 3) can be V
B
=0.8* n
i+1
* V
oc1
. Taking
V
B
as reference point, call maximum power point tracking
subroutine to search the next local maximum power point
P
i+1
.The corresponding voltage is V
i+1
.
6) Compare P
i
and P
i+1
. Regularities of distribution between
the local peak points and the global peak point: as the voltage
increases, the values of local peak points rise until which of
global peak point, and then decrease. If P
i
is greater than P
i+1
, it
will not search to left and P
i
is the global maximum power
point. If P
i
is less than P
i+1
, then continue to find to left. Once
find the value of peak point is less than which of the previous
LMPP, it will stop the search.
[4]

The main program flow chart of algorithm is shown in
Fig.5.
( is an integer.) i n
1 1 i i n n + =
1 i i P P + >
max i P P =
0( 1) 1 1 0.8* * i i oc V n V + + =
0.8* B OC V V =
1 0.8
i
i
oc
V
n
V

0( 1) B i V V + =
1 i P +
i P
1
1
i i
i i
P P
V V
+
+
=
=
i V
1 i V +

Figure 5. Main program flow chart
B. Process of LMPPT
For tracking LMPP, take the following algorithm:
1) Select three points A, B, C, from left to right on the P-V
characteristic curve. Three voltages are V
A
,V
B
and V
C
. P
A
, P
B

and P
C
are the corresponding powers, and V
oc
is the total open
circuit voltage of solar cells array. The voltage values of A,C
point V
A
,V
C
are determined by the voltage value of B point V
B

and a voltage adjustment step V. The initial value of V
B

follows the principle of value which is as close as possible to
maximum power point. Based on the analysis of P-V curve, the
maximum power point voltage is usually slightly less than 80%
of the total open circuit voltage. Therefore, V
B
=0.8*V
oc
. Take
V
B
as a reference point, and V
B
plus or minus step a V,
respectively , are V
A
,V
C
(V
A
= V
B
-VV
C
= V
B
+V).
2) Current values I
A
, I
B
and I
C
which are corresponding to
the voltage values V
A
, V
B
and V
C
collected through
photovoltaic system. Respectively , power values P
A
, P
B
and P
C

can be obtained. Determine the direction of voltage values V
A
,
V
B
and V
C
disturbances followed by comparing the size of the
power values P
A
, P
B
and P
C
. The relationship of P
A
, P
B
and P
C

shows three situations. When the power values of P
A
, P
B
and
P
C
gradually increase, then take V
C
as the base point to the
right disturbance; When P
A
, P
B
and P
C
are in order of
decreasing, then take V
A
as the reference point to the left
disturbance; When P
B
is the largest point of the three powers,
then reduce the voltage adjustment step, and take V
B
as the
reference point to disturb V
A
and V
C
.
3) Set the precision of constant in the permissible error
range, which is used to control the result of the algorithm.
When the step V is smaller than the precision of constant
after several adjustments, it indicates that V
B
has been very
close to the maximum power point. Then a value is obtained
by subtracting the step V and precision , which can be
considered as a reasonable error that can be negligible. V
B
is
the voltage corresponding to maximum power point. Collect
the current I
B
which is corresponding to the voltage V
B
.
Finally calculate the maximum power and output of the
power.
[5]

Note: If the step V is too small, it will lead the searching
speed too slow and solar energy utilization too low. Instead, if
the step V is too large, the search will appear many shocks in
the vicinity of the maximum power point in result that the
maximum power point is not precise enough. Through analysis,
initial value of the step V ranges between 0.01 and 0.1 volts
for the best. v is the fine-tuning voltage value, and its initial
value depends on the step V. On one hand, if v is too close to
V, it will post a small fine-tuning value and the system can
not be quickly respond to the change of the external
environment. Meanwhile, the reaction rate becomes quite slow.
On the other hand, after a little fine-tuning, the system needs
more time to track the maximum power point resulting in too
much energy loss. Thus, take v=0.5*V by the dichotomy.
Moreover, the value of precision also needs accuracy. If the
precision is too high, it will lead some power loss and lower
accuracy. If the precision is too small, it will result in tracking
more precise. But it will prolong tracking time and lose too
much energy. Through analysis, the value of precision ranges
between 0.01 and 0.1 volts for the best.
[6]

LMPPT algorithm flow chart is shown in Fig.6.
A B
C B
V V V
V V V
=
= +
A B C P P P <
B C
A B
C B
V V
V V V
V V V
=
=
= +
V <
M B
M B
P P
V V
=
=
A B C P P P >
B A
A B
C B
V V
V V V
V V V
=
=
= +
, , A B C I I I
*
*
*
A A A
B B B
C C C
P V I
P V I
P V I
=
=
=
0.5*
A B
C B
v V
V V v
V V V
V V V
=
=
=
= +
0.8* B OC V V =

Figure 6. LMPPT subroutine flow chart
C. Implementation of the Algorithm
Realize the algorithm by TMS320F28027 processor and
feed-forward DC-DC converters. Control the duty cycle of DC-
DC converter by DSP chip in order to regulate the output
impedance of solar array, achieve optimal impedance matching
and speed up the GMPPT. With the addition of feed-forward
control, the system can improve the ability of searching for
GMPP, and reduce the oscillation around the maximum power
point.

Figure 7. DSP and DC-DC connection diagram
Here, choose TMS320F28027 processor as DSP chip
because there are more high-speed than its relative
microcontroller on processing and computing. Mainly, its 2000
Series is suitable for controlling in the field. The DC-DC
converter chooses Boost-type circuit. Propose a program with
feed-forward PWM controlling DC-DC converter, and
combine it with LMPPT algorithm in order to accelerate the
tracking speed. The schematic with photovoltaic system
tracking GMPP is shown in Fig.8. Due to the design of the
controller by adding feed-forward control (D=k*(V
ref
- V
pv
) )
, incremental value of duty cycle D will be a variable value
in LMPPT algorithm. Because of the addition of feed-forward
control, the system can improve the ability of tracking LMPP
and reduce the oscillation around the maximum power point.
[7]


o V
pv V
ref V
D D
D
o V
pv V
LB
sw
1 D
f C 2 D R
pv I

Figure 8. The schematic of photovoltaic system tracking GMPP
Shown in Fig.8, V
o
is the output voltage of DC-DC
converter, V
pv
is the output voltage of photovoltaic array, and
V
ref
is the output voltage of GMPPT algorithm which is set in
advance. Set the original duty cycle D. D is a disturbing
quantity of D, D is the new duty cycle, so get these formulas
(1) and (2).
D=1-( V
ref
/ V
o
) (1)
D=k* ( V
ref
- V
pv
) (2)
In (2), k is a scaling factor.
D=1- V
ref
/V
o
-D (3)
The existence of D can improve the speed of LMPPT.
VI. CONCLUSION
P-V curves appear more complex and give multiple peak
points in the conditions of partial shadows. The positions of
these peak points are variable, but in fact there are still certain
laws among them. With a good grasp of these laws, it is quite
easy to get the global maximum power point from these local
maximum power points. This paper analyses the characteristic
of photovoltaic cells array and puts forward the specific
process of MPPT algorithm under the partial shadows
environment. After that, we will focus on putting the MPPT
algorithm to our strategy by the TMS320F28027 processor and
feed-forward type DC-DC Boost Converter. The analysis and
the method of this paper will pave the way for follow-up study.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We thank for the help of Prof. Zhang Yuhe.
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