Solar panel model with MPPT in Simulink - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - Solar panel model with MPPT

Start Simulation

↓

Solar Panel Model

↓

Measure Voltage & Current

↓

Calculate Power

↓

MPPT Algorithm

↓

Adjust Operating Point

↓

Update Solar Panel Output

↓

Loop until steady state or end

↓

End Simulation

The simulation starts with the solar panel model producing voltage and current. The MPPT algorithm measures power and adjusts the operating point to maximize power output, looping until steady state.

Execution Sample

Simulink

1. Initialize solar panel parameters
2. Measure voltage (V) and current (I)
3. Calculate power P = V * I
4. Use MPPT to find max power point
5. Adjust voltage to maximize power
6. Repeat steps 2-5 until stable

This code simulates the solar panel output and uses MPPT to find and maintain the maximum power point.

Execution Table

Step	Voltage (V)	Current (I)	Power (P=V*I)	MPPT Action	Operating Voltage Adjusted
1	18.0	5.0	90.0	Measure initial power	No
2	18.5	5.1	94.35	Increase voltage	Yes
3	19.0	5.0	95.0	Increase voltage	Yes
4	19.5	4.8	93.6	Decrease voltage	Yes
5	19.2	4.9	94.08	Fine tune voltage	Yes
6	19.3	4.95	95.535	Stable at max power	No
7	19.3	4.95	95.535	No change, steady state	No

💡 MPPT converged to max power point at step 6, no further voltage adjustment needed.

Variable Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 3	After Step 4	After Step 5	After Step 6	Final
Voltage (V)	18.0	18.0	18.5	19.0	19.5	19.2	19.3	19.3
Current (I)	5.0	5.0	5.1	5.0	4.8	4.9	4.95	4.95
Power (P)	90.0	90.0	94.35	95.0	93.6	94.08	95.535	95.535
MPPT Action	None	Measure initial power	Increase voltage	Increase voltage	Decrease voltage	Fine tune voltage	Stable at max power	No change

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why does the MPPT algorithm sometimes decrease the voltage after increasing it?

Because after increasing voltage, the power decreased (step 4), so MPPT decreases voltage to find the maximum power point, as shown in execution_table rows 3 and 4.

Why does the power not always increase when voltage increases?

Power depends on both voltage and current. Increasing voltage can reduce current, lowering power. This is seen at step 4 where voltage increased but power dropped.

When does the MPPT algorithm stop adjusting voltage?

It stops when power stabilizes at maximum, shown at steps 6 and 7 where voltage and power remain constant.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution table, what is the power at step 3?

A 93.6

B 94.35

C 95.0

D 90.0

💡 Hint

Check the 'Power (P=V*I)' column at row with Step 3.

At which step does the MPPT algorithm first decrease the voltage?

A Step 4

B Step 3

C Step 2

D Step 5

💡 Hint

Look at the 'MPPT Action' column for the first 'Decrease voltage' entry.

If the current stayed constant at 5.0 A, how would power change from step 2 to step 3?

A Power would decrease

B Power would increase

C Power would stay the same

D Power would be zero

💡 Hint

Power = Voltage * Current; if current is constant and voltage increases, power increases.

Concept Snapshot

Solar panel model with MPPT:
- Measure voltage and current
- Calculate power = V * I
- MPPT adjusts voltage to maximize power
- Loop until power stabilizes
- MPPT finds max power point dynamically

Full Transcript

This visual execution traces a solar panel model using MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking). The simulation starts by measuring voltage and current from the solar panel. Power is calculated as voltage times current. The MPPT algorithm adjusts the voltage to find the point where power is highest. Sometimes increasing voltage reduces current, so power can drop, causing MPPT to decrease voltage. This process repeats until power stabilizes at maximum. The execution table shows step-by-step voltage, current, power, and MPPT actions. Variable tracker shows how values change over time. Key moments clarify why MPPT sometimes decreases voltage and when it stops adjusting. The quiz tests understanding of power values and MPPT decisions. This helps beginners see how MPPT works in a solar panel simulation.