A NEW VARIABLE STEP SIZE INCREMENTAL CONDUCTANCE MPPT METHOD WITH CUK CONVERTER FOR PV SYSTEMS

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) Algorithms are employed in photovoltaic (PV) systems to make full utilization of PV array output power. Among all the MPPT algorithms, the Incremental Conductance (INC) algorithm is widely used in PV systems due to the high tracking speed and accuracy. In this paper an improved variable step size algorithm which is based on incremental conductance algorithm is proposed that adjust the step size according to PV output current. Result of this adaption is making algorithm suitable for practical operating conditions due to a wider operating range of irradiation changes. Simulation results confirm that the proposed algorithm increases convergence speed and efficiency in comparison with conventional fixed and variable step size INC algorithms