Effect of the Higher Sampling Rate of Perturbation-and-Observation Control in Photovoltaic Systems Installed on Roofs and Cars

Abstract

In this paper, the effectiveness of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control is evaluated. A photovoltaic panel is set on the roof of a building and on a car moving on a city road. Then, the static characteristics of the panel are recorded by a high-speed measurement system. Perturbation-and-observation controllers with various sampling frequencies and various perturbation voltages are simulatively evaluated by applying the recorded data. In the simulation study of the roof application, a low-speed MPPT controller, or a conventional controller is appropriate. However, in the simulation study of the car application, an extremely high sampling frequency of MPPT controllers achieves better MPPT efficiency because these controllers capture the rapidly changing optimum voltage appropriately.