The multi-input photovoltaic maximum power point tracker with integrated linear light sensor

Solar panels are devices that convert solar irradiation directly into the electrical power without any mechanical parts. The efficiency of solar cells is between 8-20% depending of manufacturer technology so it is important to use all available energy. On the voltage-current characteristics of the photovoltaic panel is a special point called the maximum power point. To find this special point special devices called the maximum power point trackers are used. If we connect each series of solar cells with bypass diodes to avoid the negative effect of the partial shading or the differences in the photovoltaic panel parameters, local maximum power points can appear. Therefore, the special algorithm that can track the real maximum power point must be used in the maximum power point tracker. In this work, the three-channel step down converter with the algorithm that uses the temperature and light measurement is designed and tested.