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MPPT Solar Charge Controller: Perturb-and-Observe vs Plain PWM

Approx. component budget: Rs. 6,000 - 11,000

Objective

Compare the energy harvested by an MPPT controller with a simple PWM controller under changing sunlight and shading.

What you will build

A buck-converter based charge controller with current and voltage sensors, an Arduino/ESP32 running a Perturb-and-Observe algorithm, a 20-50 W solar panel and a small battery or resistive load.

Results you can expect

• Panel power vs time for both controllers
• Percentage gain of MPPT
• Converter efficiency
• Tracking speed under sudden irradiance change

What you will learn

DC-DC conversion, maximum power point, sensing and control code, and data logging, all in demand in the solar industry.

Tools and notes

Arduino/ESP32, INA219 or ACS712 sensors, MOSFET and inductor, Excel. Use proper fuses, and never connect a battery without reverse-polarity and overcharge protection.

Resume points from this project

• Built and tested MPPT Solar Charge Controller: Perturb-and-Observe vs Plain PWM; objective: compare the energy harvested by an MPPT controller with a simple PWM controller under changing sunlight and shading.
• Measured and analysed panel power vs time for both controllers and percentage gain of MPPT; wrote the report and presented the results in a viva. Add your own numbers: [x].

Replace [x] with your own measured results. Write only what you really did.

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