An Improved Incremental Conductance Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithm for Solar Photovoltaic Panels

A maximum power point tracking (MPPT) scheme is necessary to improve the efficiency of a solar photovoltaic (PV) panel. This paper proposes an improved incremental conductance algorithm (InC) for tracking the maximum power point (MPP) of a solar PV panel. Solar PV cells have a non-linear V-I characteristic with a distinct MPP which depends on environmental factors such as temperature and irradiation. In order to continuously harvest maximum power from the solar PV panel, it always has to be operated at its MPP. The proposed InC algorithm can reduce the main drawbacks commonly related to the InC algorithm. The obtained simulation results are compared with MPPs achieved using the conventional InC algorithm under various atmospheric conditions. The results show that the improved InC algorithm is better than the conventional InC algorithms for tracking MPPs of solar PV panels. Additionally, it is simple and can be easily implemented in digital signal processor (DSP).