H παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία μελέτα τις τεχνικές ανίχνευσης του σημείου μέγιστης ισχύος (Maximum Point Tracking, MPPT) φωτοβολταϊκής συστοιχίας και την προσομοίωση μιας εξ αυτών (Διαταραχής και Παρατήρησης, P&O) για μεταβαλλόμενη ένταση ηλιακής ακτινοβολίας και μεταβαλλόμενο φορτίο. Η προσομοίωση έγινε με το πρόγραμμα MATLAB/SIMULINK. Στο πρώτο κεφάλαιο γίνεται μια εισαγωγή στις μορφές ενέργειας που χρησιμοποιούνται σήμερα και οι οποίες χωρίζονται σε δύο κατηγορίες, τις συμβατικές και τις ανανεώσιμες. Στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο αναλύεται η φωτοβολταϊκή τεχνολογία, παρουσιάζονται τα ηλεκτρικά χαρακτηριστικά και οι ενεργειακές καταστάσεις του φωτοβολταϊκού στοιχείου και δίνεται ο ορισμός του Σημείου Μέγιστης Ισχύος (Maximun Power Point, MPP), του Συντελεστή Πλήρωσης (Fill Factor, FF) και του Συντελεστή Απόδοσης (Performance Ratio, PR). Στο τρίτο κεφάλαιο γίνεται μια παρουσίαση των μετατροπέων DC/DC διακοπτικού τρόπου λειτουργίας που χρησιμοποιούνται στα συστήματα MPPT και αναλύονται οι βασικές τοπολογίες τους. Το τέταρτο κεφάλαιο αναφέρεται στους μονοφασικούς αντιστροφείς και αναλύεται η ημιτονοειδή PWM τεχνική ελέγχου των αντιστροφέων. Στο πέμπτο κεφάλαιο γίνεται παρουσίαση των σημαντικότερων τεχνικών MPPT. Η κάθε τεχνική έχει ως στόχο την συνεχή ταύτιση του σημείου λειτουργίας με το εκάστοτε σημείο μέγιστης ισχύος. Αναφέρονται τα κύρια πλεονεκτήματα και μειονεκτήματα της κάθε μεθόδου ξεχωριστά, δίνοντας ιδιαίτερη βαρύτητα στην τεχνική «Διαταραχής και Παρατήρησης» (P&O) που θεωρείται η πιο διαδεδομένη και εύχρηστη λόγω της απλότητας στην υλοποίησή της. Στο έκτο κεφάλαιο αναλύεται ξεχωριστά ο τρόπος που υλοποιήθηκε το κάθε υποσύστημα που συνθέτει το συνολικό υπό εξέταση σύστημα και παρουσιάζονται τα αποτελέσματα της προσομοίωσης του συστήματος. Τέλος οδηγούμαστε στο συμπέρασμα ότι ο αλγόριθμος επιτυγχάνει την απορρόφηση της διαθέσιμης ισχύος της φωτοβολταϊκής λειτουργίας αλλά παρουσιάζει δυσλειτουργία κάτω από μεταβολές της ακτινοβολίας. / This diploma thesis examines the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques for photovoltaic array and the simulation one of them (Perturb and Observe, P&O) for changing level of solar irradiation and changing load. Simulation was made with MATLAB/SIMULINK. Τhe first chapter is an introduction to the types of energy used today and which are divided into two categories, conventional and renewable. The second chapter analyzes the photovoltaic technology, presents the electrical characteristics and the energy states of the photovoltaic element and we define the Maximun Power Point (MPP), the Fill Factor (FF) and Performance Ratio (PR). The third chapter is a presentation of switch mode DC / DC converters used in MPPT systems and analyze the basic topologies. The fourth chapter deals with single-phase inverters and analyzed the sinusoidal PWM control technique of inverters. In the fifth chapter we present the most important technical MPPT. We indicate the main advantages and disadvantages of each method separately, paying special attention to the technique “Perturb and Observe” (P&O), which is considered the most popular and easy to use because of its simplicity in implementation. The sixth chapter the simulation of the whole MPPT system is discussed. We present the modeling of each system separately and we show the results. Finally the study comes to conclusion that the algorithm achieves the enhancement of the available power of the photovoltaic array but it has erratic behaviour under changes of irradiation.

This Master's Dissertation aims to compare two topologies of AC Module converters, applied in photovoltaic systems. The principles of operation, the characteristic equations, the parameters found are detailed for both topologies, while their transfer functions are analyzed in order to present optimized controllers. Commercial components are determined for the real system simulation, based on the same criteria for both AC Modules. The analysis of the energy injected in the grid by each topology and their respective cost with active components provides a quality index that allows a fair comparison between them and determining which topology provides superior performance on the conditions of this study. Through this index is observed that the efficiency of the converter Full-Bridge ZVS Phase Shift AC Module is superior. Experimental results of the converter are presented validating the theoretical analysis and the operation of the topology. The application of this topology is on photovoltaic systems and enables the use of these systems at small scales and with great potential for expansion. The use of photovoltaic energy is of utmost importance in the global scenario, where the search for renewable energy grows exponentially. / Esta Dissertação de Mestrado tem como objetivo a comparação entre duas topologias de conversores Módulo CA, aplicados em sistemas fotovoltaicos. Os princípios de funcionamento, as equações características e os parâmetros encontrados são detalhados para as duas topologias. São especificados componentes comerciais para a simulação do sistema, baseando-se no critério apresentado para ambos os Módulos CA. A análise da energia injetada na rede para cada topologia e o levantamento do custo com componentes ativos proporciona a criação de um índice de qualidade. Este índice permite a comparação entre elas e a determinação de qual topologia apresenta maior injeção de energia na rede com o menor investimento em componentes ativos. Através desse índice se observa que em simulação o rendimento do conversor Full-Bridge ZVS Phase Shift Módulo CA é superior. Resultados experimentais do conversor são apresentados para validar as análises teóricas e o funcionamento da topologia. A aplicação da topologia é voltada para sistemas fotovoltaicos de baixa potência e possibilita a utilização destes sistemas em pequena escala e com grande possibilidade de expansão.

As fossil fuel sources continue to diminish, oil prices continue to increase, and global warming and CO2 emissions keep impacting the environment, it has been necessary to shift energy consumption and generation to a different path. Solar energy has proven to be one of the most promising sources of renewable energy because it is environmentally friendly, available anywhere in the world, and cost competitive. For photovoltaic (PV) system engineers, designing a PV system is not an easy task. Research demonstrates that different PV technologies behave differently under certain conditions; therefore energy production varies not only with capacity of the system but also with the type of module. For years, researchers have also studied how these different technologies perform for long periods of time, when exposed out in the field. In this study, data collected by the Florida Solar Energy Center for periods of over four years was analyzed using two techniques, widely accepted by researchers and industry, to evaluate the long‐term performance of five systems. The performance ratio analysis normalizes system capacity and enables the comparison of performance between multiple systems. In PVUSA Regression analysis, regression coefficients are calculated which correspond to the effect of irradiance, wind speed, and ambient temperature, and these coefficients are then used to calculate power at a predetermined set of conditions. This study allows manufacturers to address the difficulties found on system lifetime when their modules are installed out on the field. Also allows for the further development and improvement of the different PV technologies already commercially available.