Modeling and Analysis of Solar Arrays for Grid Connected Systems with Maximum Power Point Tracking

The shrinking of the world’s energy sources has prompted an unprecedented interest in renewable and clean energy sources such as photovoltaic (solar) array. Already popular in space and some industrial power system applications, photovoltaic arrays have yet to become a viable source of energy for most terrestrial applications. For several decades now, engineers have been striving to design reliable and affordable solar array based power systems. One popular approach to achieve reliability is the integration of Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technology in solar power system design. The purpose of this study was to gain more insight into the nature of photovoltaic arrays, in order to help engineers improve solar array systems efficiency and reliability. To this end, a detailed analysis and modeling of the electrical properties and parameters of solar arrays have been presented. Shading effects on solar arrays, as well as the benefits of incorporating MPPT technology in photovoltaic systems have also been studied. Finally an application of MPPT to grid connected systems will be introduced as part of the ongoing efforts of the Power Electronics Lab at the University of Central Florida to participate in the 2005 Future Energy Challenge