Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is a technique that charge controllers use for wind turbines and PV solar systems to maximize power output. PV solar systems exist in several different configurations. The most basic version sends power from collector panels directly to the DC-AC inverter and from there directly to the electrical grid. A second version, called a hybrid inverter, might split the power at the inverter, where a percentage of the power goes to the grid and the remainder goes to a battery bank. The third version is not connected at all to the grid but employs a dedicated PV inverter that features the MPPT. In this configuration, power flows directly to a battery bank.
The Solar panels are on a mount that follows the sun. These are optimizing output by following the sun across the sky for maximum sunlight. These typically give you about a 15% increase in winter and up to a 35% increase in summer. This is just the opposite of the seasonal variation for MPPT controllers. Since panel temperatures are much lower in winter, they put out more power. And winter is usually when you need the most power from your solar panels due to shorter days. Maximum Power Point Tracking is electronic tracking - usually digital. The charge controller looks at the output of the panels, and compares it to the battery voltage.
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