Design and implemantation of microcontroller based maxsimum power point tracker converter for photovoltaic systems

Obtainable maximum power generation from PV based energy production systems is only possible with Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) methods. Magnetic components and the high frequency switches limit the power rate of the MPPT converters. In addition, working with constant frequency in all power range causes environmental noise effect and low efficiency.In this study, interleaved boost converter structure that doubles the switching frequency naturally by phase shifting and can operate parallel when necessary has been applied with a MPPT method. Thus the cost reduction in high power application can be possible with using low cost magnetic components and power switches. PIC18F452 low cost microcontroller is used as a controller. The designed circuit has also been able to charge the battery group with desired current value with a second independent switch that is connected to DC bus and controlled by microcontroller. The advantages of the proposed converter structure and control technique have been explained by comparing the simulation and experimental results with a traditional boost converter.