Predictive Fixed Switching Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithm with Dual Adaptive Step-Size for PV Systems

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is an essential and primary objective in photovoltaic (PV) systems implementation. Thus, in this article, the predictive fixed switching MPPT technique is proposed for a two-stage PV system, where the system under consideration consists of a PV source, boost converter, and two-level inverter. The MPPT design is based on dual adaptive step-size realization to limit the duty cycle oscillations at a steady state. Furthermore, the PI controller is eliminated, which simplifies the MPPT implementation. The suggested tuning procedure of the duty cycle is compared with the conventional adaptive step-size perturb and observe (P&O) method. The inverter is controlled using an efficient finite-set model predictive control (FS-MPC) algorithm with reduced computation burden, where the optimal switching state vector is identified based on the polarity of the reference voltage in the α-β reference frame and without any need for sector determination. Furthermore, the cost function of the FS-MPC algorithm is modified to include the reduction of the switching frequency as a secondary objective for the inverter control. The overall control methodology is evaluated using experimental results at different operating conditions.