Design of a Maximum Power Point Tracker with Simulation, Analysis, and Comparison of Algorithms

In this thesis, the advantages of three different maximum power point tracking MPPT algorithm are investigated. By simulation, the performance and efficiency of these algorithms was analyzed. By using MATLABs SimPowerSystems block set, we created the model comprised of a Kyocera KD135GX-LP solar panel powering a buck converter controlled by the MPPT algorithms driving a resistive load. The main objective was to track the maximum power point MPP of the solar array by modulating the buck converters duty cycle, thereby, optimizing the power output of the panel. The three algorithms observed performance was on par with other real world tests of these algorithms as seen in other published work. The Perturb and Observe PO algorithm performed with a higher overall efficiency and was able to track the MPP quickly, while the Incremental Conductance InC algorithm had similar performance but requires more intensive calculations. The analysis of these algorithms led to a greater understanding of where the inefficiencies of this type of system are located, allowing improvement in future work on this subject.