Fourth Order Buck Converter for Photovoltaic Maximum Power Point Tracking Applications

Photovoltaic array needs an intermediate maximum power point trackers as their v-i characteristics are non-linear. The purpose of this investigation is to introduce a new fourth order buck converter for photovoltaic power tracking applications. This topology essentially belongs to buck family and also results in improved performance as compared to conventional buck converter. Mathematical models of the proposed converter are formulated and then boundary conditions, under which the converter able to track maximum power, are obtained. The total combined photovoltaic power tracking scheme is simulated in PSIM and then power tracking performance characteristics are generated. Performance comparison of the proposed topology and conventional buck converter is given. Proposed converter effectiveness, in power tracking applications, is verified through experimental studies. Micro-controller, dsPIC30176010, is employed in the real-time implementation of the tracking algorithm.