Comprehensive PV Emulator Package with MPPT Functionality

Comprehensive Solar PV Emulator Package with Diverse Benchmarking MPPT algorithms: A tool for Research, Development and Academic Lectures

This package offers a comprehensive solution for implementing and validating solar photovoltaic emulators (PVE) across a diverse range of MPPT algorithms. The package has been meticulously developed and rigorously tested, with its detailed methodology published in a peer-reviewed article (see referened paper). It employs a Ternary Search (TSC)-driven algorithm to solve the nonlinear current-resistor equations characteristic of solar panels. The PVE is realized on a power stage using a Buck DC-DC converter, which is managed by a PI controller. This work represents the first comprehensive attempt to benchmark solar emulators within MPPT applications, especially with diverse MPPT algorithms. The package integrates three benchmarking algorithms: the Incremental Conductance (INC) and Perturb & Observe (P&O) algorithms, which are classical approaches, and the Confined-Search Space algorithm, a more advanced and recent development. Extensive investigations have been carried out to evaluate the computational performance of the TSC algorithm, as well as the overall efficiency of the emulator. Within the specified operating range, the emulator achieves a maximum error of just 1%. In MPPT applications, it can deliver an efficiency of up to 98.9725%. The package is designed to be highly flexible, accommodating any type or size of PV array.

In summary, this package is highly recommended for:

- Research and Development: See reference paper for possible research avenues

-Academic studies

-Teaching and lectures

-Practical realization