A New Approach for Photovoltaic Arrays Modeling and Maximum Power Point Estimation in Real Operating Conditions.

In this paper, a new approach for photovoltaic (PV) arrays modeling and maximum power point estimation (MPPE) in real operating conditions is presented. The PV array polynomial model is developed from its single-diode equivalent circuit, and the parameters of the proposed model are estimated by measuring the voltage and current of three points around the maximum power point (MPP). The maximum power point voltage (MPPV) is then calculated from the proposed model, and the PV array voltage is fixed at MPPV. Therefore, unlike the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms, there is no oscillation around the MPP. Using the PV array polynomial model with only three measurements around the operating point, results in less calculation burden, increases the estimation speed and decreases the I–V curve estimation process loss. In order to validate the proposed MPPE algorithm, we have compared it with the most commonly used perturb and observe (P&O) MPPT algorithm, a zero oscillation adaptive P&O technique, and a fast MPPT method by simulation and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]