Significance of Maximum Power Point Tracking on the Performance of Solar Photovoltaic Modules under High Temperature Field Conditions.
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Date
2025-05
Authors
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Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Since temperature influences the maximum power point of solar modules, it is a key factor in the expected benefits of using a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) charge controller under high-temperature situations. This thesis looks at the effects of increasing cell temperatures on the performance of MPPT charge controllers through experiments. The investigation was conducted over three months in moderate to high temperatures at Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya. The studies employed two commercially available MPPT charge controllers, with a standard pulse-width modulation (PWM) charge controller acting as the reference. The study found that below 50 °C, MPPT charge controllers performed better than PWM controllers, yielding an additional energy gain of about 24% to 29%. However, at higher cell temperatures, the MPPT controllers' performance advantage dropped, and the benefits were reduced to just 0.2%. This suggests that in high-temperature situations, a typical PWM charge controller can produce comparable energy yields at a cheaper cost. Therefore, it is essential to take into account the cost difference between PWM and MPPT controllers for small systems like solar home systems (SHS) that employ conventional PV modules in relatively high-temperature regions.
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Science in Renewable Energy Technology in the School of Engineering and Architecture Of Kenyatta University, May 2025.
Supervisor
1. Francis Njoka
2. Gideon Kidegho