Plug-generate mode maximum efficiency grid connected single converter PV panel system designing

Generating electrical power from solar energy is very popular. There are many studies for increasing the efficiency and designing simpler systems in the literature. Electrical power generated by PV cells depends on solar irradiances, ambient temperatures and electrical loads. Hence, PV panels have nonlinear characteristics. Thus, modelling PV panel is achieved by mathematical and/or equivalent electrical circuitry. To transfer maximum available power from PV cells, Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms have been designed depending on PV panel model. In this study, a simpler single – phase single – stage grid connected system has been designed and analysed in Simulink environment. The designed system does not require complex circuitries and modulation techniques. In the proposed system, 175 W PV system prototype has been designed and its analysis has been performed in MATLAB/Simulink software. Under different environmental conditions, the MPPT controller unit forces the PV system to operate at the maximum available power. Besides, the other feature of the proposed system is that, it works as "plug and generate" mode for PV panel.