ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) problem with reference to a photovoltaic (PV) array working in uniform irradiance and temperature operating conditions. Nevertheless, PV generator might be more convenient to employ the MPPT controller for maximizing the power extracted from the switching converter output terminals, thus transferred to the end user. Alternatively, if the MPPT capability must be assured with high precision and in every environmental condition the PV source is operating in, then direct MPPT methods are more appropriate. In such techniques the PV current and voltage are measured continuously, and such measurements are used to realize a proper adjustment of the system operating conditions in order to catch the MPP. The perturb and observe (P&O) method is the most popular algorithm belonging to the class of the direct MPPT techniques; it is characterized by the injection of a small perturbation into the system, whose effects are used to drive the operating point toward the MPP.
