Hello Every one,
How to check that my MPPT Charger is perfectly tracking the solar energy or not. If we test with DC Source there we can able to say directly that the charger is tracking most of the current and voltage available from the source. But with direct sun light we don't know how much of the current is available in the panel and depends on the environmental variation the energy from the panel will also vary.
In our lab test set up we don't have solar simulator. So, can anybody please clarify me how to ensure that my charger is perfectly working.
I think if you have no solar simulator in your lab, it is better to make a solar panel setup with flash light in side your lab. So that always the solar irradiance will be same. Otherwise with changing environmental condition under direct sun light u can't verify the perfect performance of your MPPT controller.
Hi Sir,
But with Panel under direct normal light may not able to provide the rated current. I tested with DC Source there it is tracking the Max voltage and Max current which we set. But there is 0.1A variation in current and 0.8V Variation in voltage while testing. So, with that we assumed it is OK. But we tested the same with panel the solar current is varying highly and the solar voltage was also varied. I know that depends on the environment the solar current will definetely vary. So, I need to check that the solar MPPT algorithm is working or not. . I followed P&O algorithm
if you have solar panel you can use halogen lamp and dimmer switch to change the light up and down in order to emulate the sun irradiance. or if you do not have a solar panel you can use variable DC source and change the voltage steeply up and down and check the dP/dV every change and check the response of your controller .
Hi Sir,
Thanks for your response. If I'm right, then the panel voltage will not vary with respect to the sunlight but the panel current will vary resulting in variation of total power. With RPS we checked by varying current there it is tracking but the time interval is some what high. My query is how to confirm that my charger is tracking 100% power.
Put your experimental setup under Sun and put a Resistive load. Wait till PV output or converter input V, I readings stabilize. Note the readings. These are actual readings.
To test whether the scheme is tracking MPP, you need information about Global irradiance of the location where you are currently doing experiment. Pyrano meter does it. Hope, PV module STC data is available with you. Use this data and deduce Vmpp, Impp to the Global irradiance obtained from Pyrano meter. These are reference readings. That's it. You have both to judge how much % MPP you are tracking.
if power rating of the charger is low then you can design your simulator itself, using a current source circuit , and PV panel diode configuratin.
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