Curvature-Based Ripple Correlation Control for Enhanced MPPT in Photovoltaic Systems

This paper introduces a novel curvature-based ripple correlation control (RCC) technique for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in photovoltaic (PV) systems. Ripple correlation control has become a prominent MPPT method due to its straightforward implementation, high accuracy, and quick asymptotic convergence. It effectively tracks the maximum power point (MPP) of PV systems amidst swift changes in solar irradiance and temperature. The curvature of the power-voltage curve provides essential insights into the power output behavior of PV panels in response to voltage fluctuations. Specifically, the curvature offers a critical indication of the system's proximity to the MPP. This information is crucial for optimizing the control gain of the ripple correlation controller to enhance both dynamic and steady-state performance. The simulation and experimental results corroborate the theory proposed in this paper and validate its contributions.