Abstracto

Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) ? A Review on Innovative Algorithms

Satyananda Sarangi

Energy should be transformed from one form to another with maximum efficiency at a minimal cost. With rising concerns on the use of non-renewable resources, it is wise to develop new technologies to utilize other renewable non-conventional resources at hand. This global crisis has provided impetus to the use of solar energy as the most reliable one. But the major concern in this regard is its low efficiency. Now to take care of the above issue, Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) is employed, which helps to keep a track of the maximum power of any photovoltaic cell. This review paper highlights the importance of photovoltaic cell and the various MPPT methods or algorithms that have been applied to PV cells. Firstly, the basic equivalent model of a PV cell and the characteristics curves have been discussed. Then a brief overview of the various MPPT algorithms suggested by researchers has been put forward. The paper focuses on some of the recent MPPT algorithms and methodologies.