Seamless Real-time MPPT Implementation on a Microcontroller using MA TLAB Simulink Embedded Code Generation

A photovoltaic (PV) system generates maximum power only at a specific operating point, which must be tracked for optimal efficiency. Conventional Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques effectively track the Maximum Power Point (MPP) under uniform irradiance but fail in cases of non-uniform irradiance. Under shading conditions, multiple peaks can appear, among which the global peak must be identified. Soft computing methods can accurately track the MPP under varying shading conditions but are highly complex. Scanning-based MPPT approach offers a simple and effective solution for tracking the global MPP under any shading condition. This paper presents a real-time implementation of a scanning based MPPT algorithm designed to optimize the performance of a PV system using a TI C2000 microcontroller. The proposed method is integrated into the PV system employing a boost converter for impedance matching between the PV source and the resistive load. MATLAB Simulink is utilized for MPPT integration, offering an efficient platform for automatic code generation in microcontroller-based applications, thereby streamlining the development process. Experimental validation demonstrates the seamless transition from simulation to hardware using MATLAB Simulink-generated code and confirms the effectiveness of the proposed scanning-based MPPT technique in real-time implementation.