2016 Online International Conference on Green Engineering and Technologies

Comparison of MPPT Techniques for

SEPIC Converter Based Photovoltaic System
Uday Kishan
Renduchintala
Department of EECS
Wichita State University
Wichita, KS, USA

Krishna Mohan
Tatikonda
Department of EEE
Andhra Loyola College
Vijayawada, AP, India

Abstract In the near future solar energy will be the primary

energy source. More than 45% of required energy in the world
will be generated by photovoltaic arrays. Therefore it is
imperative to have focus on reduction of costs as well as on
enhancing the efficiency of PV array. In order to carry out the
latter part, Maximum Power Point Tracking Technique (MPPT)
is used to improve the power output from solar array. With a
proper review of the reported techniques, this paper attempts to
take out the bewilderment while selecting a MPPT by a
comparative review on most of the widely adopted MPPT
algorithms such as P&O, Incremental Conductance, Fuzzy Logic
and PSO, as every technique has its own merits and demerits.
Their performance is evaluated using MATLAB and the results
are compared for different types of MPPT algorithms.
Keywords Maximum power point tracking techniques,
photovoltaic array, SEPIC Converter, PSO and Fuzzy Logic.

I.

INTRODUCTION

Among all the available Renewable energy sources, PV

array systems are trusted to play a significant role in
prospective energy production. PV systems transform photon
energy into electrical energy. These energy systems generate
low voltage output, thus, high step-up dc/dc converters are
employed in many applications, including fuel cells, wind
power, and photovoltaic systems, which converts low voltage
into high voltage. Due to the increasing demand on electricity,
and limited availability and high prices of non-renewable
sources, the photovoltaic (PV) energy conversion system has
becomes an alternative as it is freely available, pollution free,
and has less operational and low maintenance cost. Therefore,
the utilization of PV energy systems has to be increased for
standalone and as well as grid-connected modes of PV
systems. Photovoltaic (PV) as a renewable energy resource
naturally is not stable by location, time, season and weather
and its installation cost is comparatively high. An important
consideration in increasing the efficiency of PV systems is to
operate the system near maximum power point (MPP) so to
obtain the approximately maximum power of PV array. For
getting maximum possible energy produced by a solar system.
Part of this material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation
under Award No. EPS0903806, Wichita State University Research/Creative Projects
Award (URCA) and matching support from the State of Kansas through the Kansas Board
of Regents

Satya Veera Pavan

Kumar Maddukuri
Department of EECS
Wichita State University
Wichita, KS, USA

Chengzong Pang
Department of EECS
Wichita State University
Wichita, KS, USA

Ideally, the traditional step-up converters such as the boost

converter and flyback converter, fails to carry out a high stepup conversion with high efficiency because of the elements of
impedance used in the converter configuration[1-4]. Thus, a
modified boostflyback converter was introduced [1], [18]
[20], and many converters that employ the coupled inductor for
high voltage conversion ratio were also introduced [21][25].
In spite of these developments, typical step-up converters with
a single switch are improper for large power applications given
large current ripple as input, which increases conduction losses.
Thus, asymmetrical structures are extensively used [2][4].
The present review also presents an asymmetrical interleaved
converter for a high step-up and high power application.
Altering a boostflyback converter is one of the simplest
approach to earn high step-up gain[11-13]. This gain is
achieved through a coupled inductor. The performance of this
converter and active-clamped flyback converter are similar,
thus, the leakage energy is regained at the output terminal [20].
Also maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques
are used for improving the performance of PV systems, a high
efficiency power converter which is designed to extract
maximum power from a PV panel is usually considered.
Generally, there will be a unique point on the V-I curve, called
the Maximum Power Point (MPP), at which the whole PV
system serves with maximum efficiency and produces its
maximum power output[15-17]. The position of the MPP is
unknown, but can be placed either by search algorithms or
through calculation models. Maximum Power Point Tracking
Techniques (MPPT) are used to maintain the PV arrays
operating point at the precise position where maximum power
can be delivered [26-28]. Various MPPT algorithms have been
considered in the literature; some of them are the Perturb and
Observe (P&O) method [2-5], the Incremental Conductance
(IC) method [2-6], the Artificial Neural Network method [7],
the Fuzzy Logic method [8] etc.. The P&O and IC techniques,
are the most widely used. In this paper, four MPPT algorithms
are considered: P&O, Incremental Conductance (IC) method
[2-6], Fuzzy Logic method [8], Particle Swarm Optimization
method [10].These methods are quite easily implemented and
have been widely adopted for low cost applications. Other
methods such as Sliding Mode [9], are not considered in this
paper, because they are more complex and rarely used.
Concentrating our interest on a grid connected Photovoltaic
system designed by connecting a dc/dc SEPIC converter
between the grid and solar panel. The MPPT methods will be
examined on PV panels with different types of insulation.
Analysis was carried out using the Matlab tool Simulink is
used to carry out the analysis of different proposed methods.

2016 Online International Conference on Green Engineering and Technologies

The solar system implementation takes into account the

mathematical model of each component, as well as actual
component specifications. This paper presents an efficient
MPPT controller for PV systems by incorporating a new design
of high step-up boost converter controlled by a different MPPT
methods such as fuzzy and Incremental Conductance
algorithm. The high step-up boost converter is useful for use in
a transformer less three phase PV inverter which needs 700900 V DC supply input to give 415 AC output.
This paper is organized as follows: Section II introduces the
basic PV array arrangement. Section III discusses the various
MPPT techniques and their algorithms. Section IV presents
comparison between proposed methods. Conclusions of this
paper are given in Section V.
II.

PV ARRAY ASSEMBLY

Photovoltaic is a method of generating electrical power by

converting sun radiation into direct current electricity using
semiconductor switches that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. A
solar panel (photovoltaic module or photovoltaic panel) is a
packaged interconnected assembly of solar cells, also known
as photovoltaic cells. A photovoltaic installation typically
includes an array of solar panels, an inverter, batteries and
interconnection wiring. Photovoltaic systems are used for
either on- or off-grid applications, and on spacecraft.
In an independent energy system, the inverter has the
choice of working either in master mode or in slave mode. In
former one, the systems frequency and voltage is controlled
by the inverter when the diesel generator is no longer
connected to the system. The systems power balance equation
is used to calculate the power transfer. In latter one, the
necessary real and reactive power that to be produced or
absorbed will be specified by the user. The diesel generator or
the grid handles the voltage and frequency control. The
transfer from slave mode to master mode which is possible in
an independent energy system is regulated depending on the
control scheme made by the power plant operator. Such a
scheme can be easily programmed and can be modified to
reach a desirable performance by monitoring load changes.
The reader can find more details on possible performance of
an inverter along with the description of control mechanisms
available to the user of RPM-SIM simulator in [17].
III.

MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING TECHNIQUES

The irradiance and temperature curves are the two most

vital factors which influence the output power characteristics
of the PV system. And these two are momentarily maintained
by solar irradiation and temperature. As discussed, there will
be blunt changes in the values of solar radiation during the day
as shown in Fig. 1. A typical solar panel converts only 30 to
40 percent of the incident solar irradiation into electrical
energy. According to Maximum Power Transfer theorem, the
power output of a circuit is maximum when the Thevenin
impedance of the circuit (source impedance) matches with the
load impedance. In this way, Maximum power point tracking
technique is necessarily used to improve the efficiency of the
solar panel.

Fig. 1 Daily solar irradiation diagram: (a) Sunny day (b) Cloudy day

The following MPPT techniques are most widely used for

various types of solar applications such as air crafts, vehicles
based on solar, etc.
A. Perturbation and Observation MPPT technique
In this type of MPPT technique, initially the output of
solar voltage and current are measured and hence from these
calculate the PV power. Choose a small perturbation voltage
V or perturbation duty cycle d for the dc/dc converter in
one direction corresponding power P2 is calculated and then
compare the power P2 with P1. If P2 is more than P1, then the
perturbation is in the correct direction; otherwise it should be
reversed. The main disadvantage of this P&O is occasional
deviation from the maximum operating point in case of
rapidly changed with respect to atmospheric conditions, such
as broken clouds. To solve this problem, a modified adaptive
hill climbing technique with a variable perturbation step size
can be used, where an automatic tuning controller varies the
perturbation step size to a large value when the power changes
in a large range primarily due to environmental variation.
The controller is modelled in such a manner that when the
change of power is less than or equal to the lowest limit in the
set, the controller assumes that the system enters into the
steady state condition. In the Adaptive P&O MPPT technique
method, instead of VMPP, the main emphasis has been given on
the voltage perturbation V. In case of Predictive and
Adaptive MPPT P&O method, a constant duty cycle
perturbation d that linearly reduces with increase of power
drawn from PV panel has been taken and shown in the Fig. 2.

2016 Online International Conference on Green Engineering and Technologies

plant administrator learning, and it is exceptionally easy to be

important. Therefore, numerous composite frameworks can be
controlled without keen the definite scientific model of the
plant. In gathering, fuzzy rationale improves managing
nonlinearities in frameworks. The astounding of utilizing
fuzzy rationale control is that the phonetic framework
portrayal turns into the immediate calculation. A key
procurement may depict sub scopes of a relentless variable.
For instance, temperature estimation for non-solidifying
ceasing gadgets may have a couple separate support limits
describing particular temperature degrees required to control
the brakes honestly. The basic block diagram for the fuzzy
logic controller as shown in Fig. 4.
Fig. 2: Flow Chart representation of P&O Technique

B. Incremental Conductance MPPT Technique

This method consists in using the slope of the derivative of
the current with respect to the voltage in order to reach the
maximum power point. It gives us an effective current boost
only when the VPP is more than about 1V higher than the
battery voltage. In hot weather, this may not be the case unless
the batteries are low in charge. If this energy use is greatest in
the winter (typical in most homes) and the have cold winter
weather, then the can gain a substantial boost in energy when
the need it the most useful MPPT Technic as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 Block Diagram of Fuzzy Logic Controller

The rule base taken for this system is shown below in table.
The input variables such as error and error rate are expressed
in terms of fuzzy set with the linguistic terms VN, N, Z, P, and
VP. In this type of mamdani fuzzy inference system the
linguistic terms are expressed using triangular membership
functions. L (e, de) = {VN, N, Z, P, VP}.
TABLE I.
FIVE VARIABLE RULE BASE

Fig. 3: Incremental Conductance Method Algorithm

C. Fuzzy Logic MPPT Technique

The fuzzy hypothesis taking into account fuzzy sets and
fuzzy algorithms offers a general system for communicating
phonetic decides so that they may be prepared quickly. The
benefit of the fuzzy rationale control is that it doesn't seriously
require any arithmetical model of the plant. It depends on

E/De

VN

VP

VN

VN

VP

VP

VN

VP

VN

VN

VP

VP

The inputs for the fuzzy system are represented as

error and error rate and its rule base formations are shown in
above table. The fuzzy rules are obtained with the statement of
if-then statements. The given fuzzy inference system is a
combination of two inputs and one output. These two inputs
are related with the logical AND/OR operators. AND logic
gives the output as minimum value of the two inputs and OR
logic produces the output has maximum value of two inputs
i.e. if the input1 is zero and input2 is zero then the output is
zero. The input and output membership function are shown in
figures. The type of membership functions used here are
Triangular type and the membership function range is -1 to 1

2016 Online International Conference on Green Engineering and Technologies

i.e., universe of discourse. And the relation between input and

output variables obtained with the help of if-then rule base
formation. The de-Fuzzification is done by using Centroid
method.
D. Particle Swarm Optimization MPPT Technique
In general Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is a
computational method that optimizes a problem by iteratively
trying to improve a candidate solution with regard to a given
measure of quality. PSO optimizes a problem by having a
population of candidate solutions, here dubbed particles, and
moving these particles around in the search-space according to
simple mathematical formulae over the particle's position and
velocity. Each particle's movement is influenced by its local
best known position but, is also guided toward the best known
positions in the search-space, which are updated as better
positions are found by other particles. This is expected to
move the swarm toward the best solutions.
A basic variant of the PSO algorithm as shown in Fig. 5 works
by having a population (called a swarm) of candidate solutions
(called particles). These particles are moved around in the
search-space according to a few simple formulae. The
movements of the particles are guided by their own best
known position in the search-space as well as the entire
swarm's best known position. When improved positions are
being discovered these will then come to guide the movements
of the swarm. The process is repeated and by doing so it is
hoped, but not guaranteed, that a satisfactory solution will
eventually be discovered.

which the proposed converter functions. For current sharing

performance the values of primary leakage inductors of the
coupled inductors are fixed as adjacent as possible.

Fig. 6 Matlab Simulation Diagram for PV based step up converter.

OF DIFFERENT MPPT METHODS

MPPT Method
P&O
IC
Fuzzy
PSO

Power (W)
558
583
612
637

Efficiency (%)
46.5
49.63
52.12
54.04

In this paper, classification of MPPT techniques have

been attempted based on features like the number control
variables (such as voltage, current and power), types of
control strategies and circuitry. In this paper MPPT is
proposed with multi variable control unit takes the current and
voltage as reference and gives signal to the DC-DC boost
converter. As discussed the number of required P&O blocks is
equal to number of witching control variables. But in case of
INC, Fuzzy and PSO the MPPT blocks required are reduced
compared with P&O technique so that there is considerable
increase in the PV power at the output is observed.
A Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is a
computational method that can be adopted for the MPPT. The
direct method tracks the global peak in the presence of
multiple local maxima, which can be caused by the partial
shading on the solar array. As a result, further development is
still desirable to find a simple and effective control algorithm
to operate solar power systems efficiently.
In this paper the MPPT techniques are compared in terms of
its output power, efficiency of system and Total Harmonic
Distortion (THD). The power is measured from output side of
converter and the efficiency is calculated as

MPPT

Fig. 5 PSO Method Algorithm

IV.

RESULTS & DISCUSSION

The simulation for this type of step-up voltage multiplier

based PV system is implemented in Matlab Simulink as per
the figure shown in 1. For this the proposed photovoltaic
system is designed for 1.2KW. The component selection and
coupled inductor design are the two primary elements on

THD (%)
3.32
2.81
2.32
2.16

V.

Ppv
Pmpp

* 100

CONCLUSIONS

This review article provides a classification of available

MPPT techniques based on the number of control variables
involved. It also gives an idea about grid-tied or standalone
mode of operations and types of preferable converters for each
MPPT technique. This review has included many recent
hybrid MPPT techniques along with their benefits. The review
has discussed the efficiency calculation procedure of the

2016 Online International Conference on Green Engineering and Technologies

developed MPPTs. This review is expected to be a useful tool

for not only the MPPT users but also the designers and
commercial manufacturers of PV systems. From this study we
observe that both P&O and IC were developed based on the
extreme value theory. Ideally, they can track the maximum
power point accurately based on the maximum value
condition. However, both rely on the numerical approximation
of differentiation, of which the stability and accuracy is
difficult to be guaranteed in practical applications considering
noise and quantization error etc. The continuous oscillation
around the optimal operating point is an intrinsic problem of
the algorithms. To avoid the drawbacks addressed in the above
study, the latest study shows that the maximum power point
tracking can be performed by the advanced control algorithms,
i.e. adaptive control techniques. This allows the use of welldeveloped control theory to analyze the PV systems.
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