Experimental Set-up for Validation of Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithms for Photovoltaic Arrays

The implementation of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms is essential for improving the performance ratio of photovoltaic (PV) systems. These algorithms optimize the energy generated by solar modules, ensuring maximum efficiency. Maximizing energy production becomes particularly important in sub-optimal conditions, such as partial shading, defects, and variable or diffuse irradiance. MPPT also mitigates the effects of mismatches between modules. This study developes a functional setup for testing and validating various MPPT algorithms. This setup will be developed in both a MATLAB-Simulink simulation environment and a laboratory setting and will be evaluated with two common MPPT algorithms: Perturb & Observe and Incremental Conductance under several scenarios, including changes in illumination, partial shading, and defects in the PV modules, such as variations in series and shunt resistance.