Experimental evaluation of a MPPT technique for electrical mobility PV applications

In this paper the performance of a maximum power point technique, which is suitable for photovoltaic applications to sustainable mobility, is documented. The approach is based on the use of one DC/DC converter per sub-section of the photovoltaic array, with a central controller that changes the duty cycle of each DC/DC converter in a way that the current injected into the battery is maximized. The control has been implemented by programming a Microchip controller through Simulink in order to have a fast prototyping. The experimental measurements, obtained during the regular driving of the vehicle, reveal the superiority of the technique in order to maximize the power harvested from the cells that are differently oriented with respect to the sun rays. The results are achieved in the frame the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 653288 - OPTEMUS.