Model predictive controller as a robust algorithm for maximum power point tracking

Abstract

In the recent years, solar energy has attended the world as a clean energy. Many researchers are focused on extracting maximum power from solar panels. So, Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) is used for increasing efficiency of solar PV system. This paper presents Model Predictive Controller (MPC) as a method for Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) and compares it, with Perturb and Observe (P&O) and Incremental Conductance algorithm (IC) techniques. The MATLAB/Simulink and SimPower Systems software packages are used to model a proposed strategy. Simulation results show that Perturb and Observe (P&O) and Incremental Conductance algorithm (IC) techniques have limitation for tracking the exact maximum power point in transient insolation conditions. However, Model Predictive Controller (MPC) method is robust against fast varying of insolation conditions. Also, MPC method is faster than P&O and IC technique according to the simulation results.