Overview of maximum power point tracking technologies for photovoltaic power systems

Photovoltaic modules have a single operating point where the output of the voltage and current results in the maximum power output. In most photovoltaic power systems, a particular control algorithm, namely, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is utilized to take full advantage of the available solar energy. The operation of maximum power point tracking is to adjust the power interfaces so that the operating characteristics of the load and the photovoltaic array match at the maximum power points. This study reviews the latest techniques and provides background knowledge about the recent development in MPPT techniques. The paper can be used as a reference for future research related to optimizing the solar power generation.