Determination of Maximum Power Point with a Module to Module Monitoring System, M3S

A Module to Module Monitoring System (M3S), which is able to determine Maximum Power Point of PV modules based on partial measures of I-V curves, is presented. M3S measures individual modules without power electronics and without disconnecting the PV module from the rest of the system. For that, the measuring circuit disturbs the operating point of the PV module during less than 5 ms, moving it to short-circuit and to open-circuit. From there it estimates the I-V characteristic of the PV module and computes the maximum power point of the module. Through a graphic interface the monitoring process is done automatically, without affecting PV system normal operation.