Development of sensorless maximum power point tracking algorithm for solar pump systems

Nowadays, the use of PV(Photovoltaic) fed irrigation systems is becoming more and more widespread. However, the used PV systems operate with low efficiency under partial shading conditions and traditional MPPT(Maximum power point tracking) methods are insufficient. In addition, traditional MPPT algorithms require sensors to obtain current and voltage information of the PV system. In this study, a sensorless hybrid MPPT algorithm is proposed to reduce the system cost. A simulation study was created in the MATLAB/Simulink environment to examine the PV system. The proposed algorithm was tested under 4 different PSCs(Partial shading conditions). PV system power, motor speed and currents were examined under each condition. The high maximum power tracking performance of the proposed algorithm was demonstrated with the simulation results. While the lowest MPPT efficiency was 95.66% in the steady state, the highest MPPT efficiency was obtained as 99.9%. The MPPT algorithm was completed in less than 2 seconds. The first stage of the MPTT algorithm was completed in 1.3 seconds. At the end of the first stage, most of the maximum PV system power was reached. The second stage of the MPTT algorithm was used to reach the maximum power in a narrower area.