Assessment of the Required Maximum Power Point Tracking Speed for Vehicle Integrated Photovoltaics Based on Transient Irradiation Measurements and Dynamic Electrical Modelling

Fast changing irradiation on vehicle integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) modules may impose demanding requirements for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to ensure high energy conversion efficiency. In this work we present the results of simulations regarding the output and efficiency of an exemplary VIPV module under real life irradiation conditions as measured with high time resolution. We used resistive as well as voltage source load as two idealised models of the MPPT. Our simulations showed that, in most cases, tracking with a resistive load at 1 Hz preserves above 90 %rel of the convertible energy determined by the cell performances under given irradiance levels. With a voltage source load these values do not undercut 97 %rel at 0.1 Hz. We also found that partial shading across our exemplary series connected module can reduce the converted energy in the range of 5 to 10 %rel in relation to complete negligence of this effect.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.