Comparison of PO and INC MPPT Methods Using FPGA In-The-Loop under Different Radiation Conditions

Abstract

In photovoltaic (PV) systems, the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms are applied to obtain maximum efficiency under different atmospheric conditions. Among the MPPT methods, Perturb & Observe (PO) and Incremental Conductance (INC) methods are the oldest algorithms that have been used. Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) are used especially in applications requiring high speed. FPGA in-the-loop feature is used to test algorithms designed in MATLAB/Simulink environment. In this study, PO and INC methods were designed to work in FPGA environment. Both algorithms were tested under different radiation conditions by using FPGA-in-the-loop feature. The FPGA in-the-loop simulation result of PO and INC methods was shown graphically. Altera DE2-115 development board was used to test PO and INC MPPT algorithms. In addition, PO and INC methods were synthesized using the Quartus-II program. Comparisons of the simplicity of the algorithms were made based on the synthesis results. Thus, by using the FGPA in-the-loop feature and performing the synthesis process, both of the algorithms were tested and the areas covered by the algorithms in the FPGA were compared.