Solar cell single measurement maximum power point tracking

It is possible to give a valuable estimation for an entire solar array IV curve, based only on a single working point (current and voltage) measurement, on panels of solar cells, when several of their parameters are known and environmental parameters also known. The estimations were performed using Matlab/Simulink and the simulation is based on the 10 parameter solar cell model. The estimated curves only slightly deviate from the actual measured curves of real solar panels. The average short circuit current error is less than 5%, when the worst case simulated of just 33% of full lighting is also included in that average. When the open circuit voltage drops in error, the short circuit current grows in error and vice verse, so the MPP error is smaller. It is shown that this approach could be used to evaluate, on line, the Maximum Power Point (MPP) of solar panels, while even two or more local maxima could exist. The average relative MPP errors seem to be less than 2% with a full illumination (1 sun), less than 2.5% for 2/3 illumination and less than 3% for less than 1/3 illumination. After the MPP of solar cells, which are not in their optimal working point, has been evaluated, then by this new MPP, they can be classified for re-meandering. Such a procedure would require evaluation of the entire I/V and I/P curves of the cell/panels. It would effectively eliminate the problem of local maxima on the I/P curve. Once the MPP has been evaluated for each panel, it is possible to evaluate the MPP of an entire solar field after re-meandering. Once this is knows, the inverter could be controlled to project the MPP voltage towards the solar field, thus eliminating the need to use a MPPT module (dc/dc converter).