Forward converter-based distributed global maximum power point tracking in partial shading conditions

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is an essential part of a photovoltaic (PV) power generation systems to obtain the possible biggest efficiency. In partial shading conditions (PSCs), distributed MPPT strategy is used to eliminate mismatching cases between PV modules and load. In this study, forward converter-based distributed MPPT approach is presented for small power module-level and submodule-level MPPT applications. First, operation principles of a forward converter are explained for an MPPT application. Then, performance of a forward converter is evaluated by perturb and observe (P&O) algorithm for module-level and submodule-level MPPT systems in MATLAB/Simulink. Simulation results show that in module-level MPPT technique, forward converter cannot track global maximum power point (MPP) in some PSCs. On the other hand, submodule-level MPPT guarantees global MPPT (GMPPT). Average tracking efficiencies are calculated as 71.24% and 95.34% for module-level and submodule-level MPPT, respectively. That is, submodule-level MPPT outperforms module-level MPPT. On the other hand, submodule-level MPPT is more expensive solution since hardware requirements are very high compared with the module-level MPPT strategy.