Quantifying photovoltaic fluctuation with 5 kHz data: Implications for energy loss via maximum power point trackers

John A. Magerko, Yue Cao, Philip T. Krein

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

We aim to systematically quantify photovoltaic (PV) variability contained within different frequency bands, primarily for applications in PV maximum power point tracking (MPPT) design. We first discuss the usefulness in quantifying energy capture for various maximum power point (MPP) update rates from nearly 500 days of 5 kHz photovoltaic recordings. Next, we justify the methods used to convert MPP sweep data to single-point, usable, current, voltage, and power values. We discuss fitting methods that yield the MPP under calm irradiance dynamics and explore the approach used during periods of more stochastic changes. This is followed by analysis of raw, high-frequency content and a proposed method to calculate associated energy capture reduction. The conclusion finds an absolute upper bound on solar data variability for a given MPP update rate in terms of energy capture. Finally, we use the previous results and demonstrate an economic analysis that can aid in designing future MPP tracker specifications.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2016 IEEE Power and Energy Conference at Illinois, PECI 2016
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781509002610
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 25 2016
EventIEEE Power and Energy Conference at Illinois, PECI 2016 - Urbana, United States
Duration: Feb 19 2016Feb 20 2016

Publication series

Name2016 IEEE Power and Energy Conference at Illinois, PECI 2016

Other

OtherIEEE Power and Energy Conference at Illinois, PECI 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityUrbana
Period2/19/162/20/16

Keywords

  • Economic analysis
  • Energy loss calculation
  • Frequency domain analysis
  • High frequency solar data
  • Maximum power point tracking (MPPT)
  • Photovoltaic (PV)
  • Solar variability
  • Stochastic energy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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