IEEE International Conference on Recent Advances and Innovations in Engineering (ICRAIE-2016),December 23-25,2016,Jaipur,India

An Artificial Neural Network based Maximum

Power Point Tracking Method for Photovoltaic
System
b
Munish Manas\ Ananya Kumari , Sanjeev Dasc
"Department of Electrical Engineering, Central University of Haryana Mahendergarh, Haryana-123031, India.
b
,c Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Tezpur University
Tezpur-784028, Assam, India.
b
"msd.gkg85@gmail.com, ananyakumari47@gmail.com, Csanjeevdas655@gmail.com

Abstract: Solar Energy is one of the very promising of solar insolation (by increasing the area which in turn is
renewable energy resources which have grown rapidly in done by increasing the number of cells connected in the PV
the past few years and presently it is gaining popularity module) is the most attainable method to improve the
and momentum at an ever increasing rate .But there are performance of solar power [3].
also some limitations for trapping Solar Energy. A major
disadvantage of trapping Solar Energy in photovoltaic In this paper, we have used Artificial Neural Network (ANN)
cells is that it's operating point changes with changing to track Maximum Power Point in a PV system. Training of
insolation and temperature which in turn reduces its the Neural Network is done by Feed Forward Back­
overall efficiency. Therefore, it becomes imperative that propagation technique. Precision in tracking maximum power
maximum power should be derived from solar PV panels point and speed of convergence make ANN apt and suitable
via Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) which in for such systems. Under this methodology the reference
turn increases its efficiency. In this paper, a PV model has voltage and current for MPPT is computed under diverse
been used to simulate actual PV arrays behavior, and then atmospheric circumstances. Through the appropriate
a Maximum Power Point tracking method using Artificial governance of the DC-DC buck boost converter, MPPT
Neural Network (ANN) is proposed in order to control the becomes effective [4]. For the verification of the theory and
on goings of the DC-DC Buck Boost Converter. methodology, the, simulation outcome is acquired through
Simulation results show that Artificial Neural Network is MATLAB/SIMULINK.
near accurate in predicting the Maximum Power Point.

Keywords: PV, Buck-Boost converters, MPPT, Tracking II. PV MODULE MODELING

efficiency, Simulink modeling of PV
A p-n junction manufactured in a thin wafer of
I. INTRODUCTION semiconductor material constitutes a solar cell. The electricity
through a PV panel can be produced by converting
Photovoltaic (PV) generated electricity is the next big solution electromagnetic rays of sun into electrical via PV effect. The
to energy crisis, as the everlasting amount of solar energy can incident photons from sunlight with energy larger than the
be converted into electric power by PV modules [I]. PV cells energy of the semiconductor band-gap, induces the electron­
forming such modules are fabricated using silicon. By the hole pairs comparative to the incident radiation and this
joining of numerous PV modules in series and parallel phenomena constitutes photocurrent.
arrangements a solar array is realized, for generating greater
amount of electrical energy. The Modelling of solar PV panel can be designed in
mathematical terms in the following manner (1)- (4) [5,6]
Solar cells are becoming widely popular all across the globe
and many scientists are working tirelessly to improve its PV module equations
efficiency and expand its application. Solar cell efficiency and
Intensity of the Source are the two major factors which drives The phase current of PV module (Iph) IS computed as a
the productivity of the PV group [2]. The productivity of a function of short circuit (SC) current:
solar cell is nevertheless restricted by constituents cast-off in
solar cell fabrication. It is predominantly tough improve the Iph = [La + Ki(T - 298)]A / 1 000 (1)
efficiency of PV cell, which is a constraint in enhancing
System efficiency. Consequently, the upsurge of the strength

[978-1-5090-2807-8/16/$31.00 ©2016 IEEE]

 IEEE International Conference on Recent Advances and Innovations in Engineering (ICRAIE-2016),December 23-25,2016,Jaipur,India

The reverse saturation current (Irs) of PV module is computed
as:
Irs = La/ [exp(q V;)( / NJ<AT) - 1]
The variation of the module saturation current
respect to panel's temperature is computed as:
Ki : short-circuit current temperature co-efficient at ISCr ==
0.0017A I oC
Ie: PV module illumination (W/m2) = 1000W/m2
(2) Ego : band gap for silicon = l.l2 eV
Ns : number of cells connected in series=18
(10) with Np : no. of parallel connected solar cells=2

3 1 1
Io = Ir{. T/ 1',-] exp(qEgo/ AK)[---] (3)
1', T 1000W/m
'

The (Ipv) representing the PV current output is

'
800W/m
computed as:

"
q(Vpv + IpvR,) t 4 600W/m
'
Ipv = NpIph -Nplo[exp { } -1] (4) :::l
U
NdKT
2
Table 1- Electrical Characteristics Data of a PV module '
200W/m

Rated Power 21.07 V

o 4 12 16 20 24

Voltage at Maximum power 21.32 V Voltage (V)

(Vmpp)
Fig. I I-V characteristic of a photovoltaic cell
Current at Maximum power ( 0.9886 A
Impp)

Open circuit voltage ( VOC) 21.4 V 160

140
-IOOOW/m2
Short circuit current ( ISCr) 7.45 A ,
120 - 800W/m
- 600W/m2
100 ,
- 200W/m
Total number of cells in series 36 �
(Ns) �
0
80

"-
Total number of cells in 1 60

parallel (Np)
40

20
Note: The testing platform was chosen to be with the
insolation of 1 kW/m2, spectrum of l.5 air mass and cell
0 12 16 20 24
temperature of 25 c.
Voltage (V)
The variables for the above mathematical module of the PV
panel are defined as follows:
Fig. 2 P-V characteristics of a photovoltaic cell
Vpv : PV module output voltage in volts
Ipv: PV module output current in Amperes
Fig. 1 and 2 designate the I-V and P-V graphs of the PV panel
Trk: reference temperature ( 298.5 K) at various levels of insolation.
Tak : operating temperature of panel expressed in Kelvin
Iph: Photocurrent current of PV module in Amperes
III MPPT (MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING)
10 : saturation current of a PV module in Amperes
USING ANN (ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK)
A = B is an ideality factor( 1.6)
K: Boltzman constant (1.3805 x 10-23 11K)
The MPPT algorithm is essential to improve the efficiency of
q : charge on an Electron = 1.6 x 10-19 C
PV system [7]. Here we use ANN to implement it. We use
Rs : series resistance of a PV module (0.0263)
ANN because it's
ISCr : PV module short-circuit current at 25 °C and
1000W/m2 = 7.45A
(i)We can do offline training in it
(ii)We can do nonlinear mapping
 IEEE International Conference on Recent Advances and Innovations in Engineering (ICRAIE-2016),December 23-25,2016,Jaipur,India

(iii)There is a high speed response

(iv)There is less computational effort
(v) It
problems,
provides compact solution for multiple variable 3 6
32
The Artificial Neural Network is trained by giving 12
28
different values for insolation and temperature each for the 12
months of a year in Tezpur, Assam, India, E 24 �����������������
o
820 ��� -+���������-+���

A Algorithms for ANN 116

1
"" 2
TRAINLM Algorithm

TRAINLM is a system teaching utility platform, which

optimizes the encumbrance and preference standards as per
the technique given by Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm.
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 1�
Duty Ratio
TRAINLM has the ability to sequence a system if the
network's encumbrance, net feedbacks and inputs, and Fig. 3 The impact of duty ratio upon optimal impedance of Buck-Boost
converter
transfer functions are expressed as derivatives [8]. Back
propagation is used to calculate the JacobianjX of enactment
In Fig. 3, as shown, numerous loads are taken into
ECTM in relation to the encumbrance and preference
consideration for analyzing the action of the buck-boost
variables C. Every variable is attuned as per Levenberg­
converter in matching the input impedance by varying duty
Marquardt algorithm,
ratio, and its successive capability to track the MPP.

jl = jC * iC
Taking the resistive load as RL =5 O>R,pt(min) ,
<Ropt(max) The load line RJor RL = 5 0 intersects the
jF = jC * f
resistance lines of 20 0, 5 0 and Ropt(min) at point A, B and C
as indicated in Figure 16. At the peak state the impedance
dC = -Gi+I*nv) \jf
would match when the duty ratio will cause the operating

Where F is all errors and I is the identity matrix.
B. LEARNGDM Algorithm
LEARNGDM computes the variations in the weight dW of a
particular Neuron which is derived via input to neuron P and
also the error E, the rate of bias learning designated as LR,
and constant for constant MC, conferring to gradient descent
has a predefined momentum which is given by:
dW = mc*dWprev + (I-mc )*lr*gW
IV. BUCK-BOOST CONVERTER OPERATION
ANALYSIS
point to lie in the region casing point B and point C, when the
converter functions as a boost converter. In the bottommost
state, the converter can match its state at point A for Ri for RL
=5 0, while operating in the buck mode. When the load is RL
=20 O>R,pt(min) , <R,pt(max), the load line for Ri for RL = 20 0
transects the resistance lines of 20 0, 5 0 and Ropt(min) at
point D,E and F as specified in Figure 16. Comparable to the
load line for resistance RL =5 0, the converter would track the
MPP at the uppermost state more efficiently, when the
functioning region of the converter is makes its covered
region to lie in the zone sandwiching E and F, specifying the
situation of the converter operating in the boost mode with
duty cycle lying between 0.65 and 0.75 [9,16].
V. Artificial Neural Network

ANN has the ability to present an upgraded technique of

developing non-linear systems that may be utilized to
complement the classical techniques. ANN has an ability to
adapt to the strategically dynamic environments thus,
becoming more apt in handling the changing values of the
parameters. In ANN, the modeled neuron comprises of input,
initiation function and output with custom weights. The
greater the weight of an artificially modeled neuron the
greater is the value of the input being multiplied by its own
weight. Negative weights can also come to play a role in
many cases, so the control action is subdued by the negative
value of the weight. Pertaining to different weights, the
calculation related to a neuron is altered. Such Neuron's are
 IEEE International Conference on Recent Advances and Innovations in Engineering (ICRAIE-2016),December 23-25,2016,Jaipur,India

modified to acquire the yields for the specific custom Inso[ation Temp. Ipv(A Vpv(V Ppv(W
responses as inputs [10], (W/m/\2) (Celcius) ) ) )
Jan .17 24.7 .884 [8.2 [6.1
(i) Data Collection
Feb .20 26.0 .887 18.24 16.18
The first step in designing an ANN is to collect historical data
on the problem that is being solved using the network In case Mar .22 29.9 .864 17.87 15.45

of MPPT solar insolation and temperatures and their Apr .22 30.7 .850 [7.6 14.97
corresponding maximum power point voltages and currents May .21 3l.0 .833 17.25 14.38
are required to in order to train the network. This obtained
Jun .18 3l.9 .807 16.69 13.47
data is called training points[ 11],
Jut .17 31.7 .798 16.54 13.21
(ii) Selecting Network Structure Aug .17 32.[ .798 16.54 13.21
As mentioned before, neural networks consist of a minimum
Sep .16 31.4 .798 16.54 13.21
of two layers (one hidden layer and another output layer). The
Oct .18 30.2 .835 17.27 14.43
input information is connected to the hidden layers through
weighted connections where the output data is calculated. The Nov .18 27.5 .865 17.84 15.44
number of hidden layers and the number of neurons in each Dec .17 24.4 .879 18.1 15.91
layer controls the performance of the network [12],

The developed ANN in this paper is two inputs (solar

Table 2 shows Outputs of the Photovoltaic array, in terms of
insolation and Temperature) with dual levels as a hidden layer
output power, voltage and PV current corresponding to the
& an output one. Two neurons comprise the hidden layer
respective temperature and insolation received at PV panel
empowered by a tan-sigmoid stimulation utility functionality
site.
and a similar two neuron makes the output layer but they are
empowered by pure-linear stimulation utility functionality. Table 3: Maximum Power Point tracking outputs by ANN
These functions are the voltage and current at maximum
power point [13], Impp(A} Vmpp(V} Pmpp(W}
.88445 18.2007 16.0976
.88524 18.2398 16.1466
.86455 17.8705 15.4499
.85041 17.5996 14.9668
.83289 17.25 14.3673
.80559 16.6908 13.4459
2 2 2
.79808 16.5395 13.1998
.79808 16.5395 13.1998
Fig. 4 Neural Network tool generated model for 2 layer ANN .79837 16.5405 13.2054
.83571 17.2695 14.4332
[n Fig. 4, the layer [ has 2 inputs namely temperature and
.86546 17.8409 15.4405
insolation. Here [W {[, I} means the weight from neuron [ to
.87915 18.0988 15.9115
layer l,b{l}means bias to layer l. Following the equation Fcn
(IWik*Xi +bi),the inputs to the subsequent layers are
calculated. For the input to the hidden layer the Fcn (function)
These outputs are generated from the Simulink block shown
is tensing and for the inputs to the second layer it is pure-lin.
in Fig. 6 .Display is Impp i.e current at maximum power point
The outputs are namely [mpp and Vmpp[14,[5].
and Displayl is Vmpp i.e voltage at maximum power point.
The power at maximum power point i.e Pmpp has been found
(iii) Inputs to the network
by multiplying both the values. The same Maximum Power

V[1. S[MULAT[ON RESULTS AND ANALYS[S Point tracking outputs by ANN are shown in Table 3.

Following the Fig.s from 7 till 13, we have modeled the PV The training plot shows that the performance is 4.82624e-007,

module and by feeding the inputs i.e temperature and and that the goal is 0, which means that using ANN tool, the

insolation, we have calculated the module current (Ipv) and inputs and the outputs were well trained.

module voltage (Vpv) using conversion and module power

Where operating point of the instant energy output of solar
(Ppv) by multiplying the current and voltages for each set [[7,
panel is represented as Pinst and Pmpp which remains fixed at
[8].
a specific value at a fixed state temperature and insolation.
Table 2: Outputs of the Photovoltaic array
 IEEE International Conference on Recent Advances and Innovations in Engineering (ICRAIE-2016),December 23-25,2016,Jaipur,India

the ones found in earlier literature and also the number of

hidden neurons chosen has produced the desired outputs. The
output of the PV array and that of the ANN are found to be
very close to each other. It means that the ANN topology is
well trained to produce the required outputs. For the
subsequent part, by controlling the buck boost converter's
Ton and Toff time and thus the duty cycle, the impedance
matching of the source and load can be brought about leading
to maximum power being transferred from solar panel to the
load. The Buck-Boost Converter is hence used for resistance
matching to achieve the optimum output by maximum power
point tracking. Also the experimental setup of the paper is
proposed. This system successfully uses the Artificial Neural
Network (ANN) to reach the MPP.

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