Submitted:
27 July 2025
Posted:
28 July 2025
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Abstract
Keywords:
I. Introduction
A. Background and Motivation
B. Problem Statement
C. Proposed Solution
D. Contributions
E. Paper Organization
II. Related Work
A. Traditional MPPT Methods
B. Advanced MPPT Techniques
C. Z-Source Inverters (ZSIs)
D. Extremum-Seeking MPPT for Z-Source Inverters
E. Summary of Related Work
III. Methodology
A. System Modeling
- Solar PV Array: The solar PV array is modeled as a source of DC power whose output depends on environmental factors such as solar irradiance and temperature. The power generated by the PV array is given by the product of the voltage () and current () generated by the PV modules.
- Z-Source Inverter (ZSI): The ZSI is modeled as a DC-AC converter that provides buck-boost capability, which means it can step up or step down the input DC voltage to the required AC output voltage. This inverter operates using a Z-network, which includes inductors and capacitors arranged in a special configuration to provide superior voltage conversion capability compared to traditional voltage-source inverters.
- Grid Connection: The grid connection is modeled as an interface between the inverter's output and the electrical grid. The inverter must supply AC power to the grid while maintaining synchronization with the grid voltage and frequency.
- Load: The system is designed to supply energy to a resistive load or a more complex dynamic load, depending on the application scenario.
B. Extremum-Seeking MPPT Control

- 1.
- Perturbation Signal Generation: A perturbation signal is introduced into the system's control input (e.g., the duty cycle of the ZSI). The perturbation signal is typically a high-frequency oscillation that excites the system and forces it to explore different operating points.
- 2.
- Output Power Measurement: The resulting output power (;) from the PV system is measured after the perturbation is applied. The output power is the product of the voltage and current at the inverter output.
- 3.
- Direction Determination: The change in power output due to the perturbation is evaluated. If the power increases, the system moves in the direction of the perturbation. If the power decreases, the direction of the perturbation is reversed. This process continues until the system reaches the maximum power point.
- 4.
- Frequency Modulation: The perturbation is modulated at a specific frequency, and the power output is continuously monitored. The system adapts the control input by adjusting the frequency or amplitude of the perturbation to converge toward the maximum power point.
- 5.
- Dynamic Adjustment: The ES MPPT controller continuously adjusts the operating point of the inverter based on the power output, ensuring real-time tracking of the maximum power point under fluctuating irradiance and temperature.
C. Z-Source Inverter Integration

- Z-Source Network Design: The ZSI uses a Z-network made up of inductors and capacitors that allow it to both step up and step down the input DC voltage to meet the required output AC voltage. The inverters in this system use a shoot-through switching state that ensures high efficiency and protection against voltage spikes, unlike conventional voltage-source inverters (VSIs).
- Inverter Control: The control of the ZSI is based on adjusting the duty cycle of the inverter’s switches, which is influenced by the output from the Extremum-Seeking MPPT controller. The duty cycle is varied to maintain the maximum power extraction from the PV array by continuously adapting the inverter's input voltage to match the maximum power point.
- Grid Synchronization: The ZSI’s output is synchronized with the grid, maintaining both voltage and frequency matching to ensure stable and efficient power injection into the grid. The grid synchronization process uses feedback loops to adjust the phase and frequency of the AC output to match the grid’s parameters.
- Simulation of ZSI: A detailed simulation of the ZSI is carried out using MATLAB/Simulink, where the behavior of the inverter is modeled along with the integration of the ES MPPT technique. The simulation includes the effects of varying irradiance, temperature, and load conditions on the system performance.
D. Simulation Setup
- PV Array Model: A typical PV array is modeled based on the single-diode model to simulate the output characteristics of the PV system under varying irradiance and temperature.
- Z-Source Inverter Model: The ZSI is modeled using the state-space averaging technique, which provides a detailed representation of the inverter’s dynamics and its ability to handle wide input voltage variations.
- MPPT Controller: The Extremum-Seeking MPPT controller is implemented using MATLAB scripts to adjust the duty cycle of the inverter and track the maximum power point.
- Grid Connection: The grid interface is simulated to assess the performance of the system in terms of AC power injection, synchronization with the grid, and overall system efficiency.
- Performance Evaluation: The system’s performance is evaluated in terms of tracking speed, accuracy, efficiency, and stability. The system is tested under various conditions, including changing irradiance, temperature variations, and partial shading scenarios.
E. Performance Metrics
- Tracking Speed: The time taken by the system to converge to the maximum power point from an initial operating point. Faster convergence is critical for improving the overall energy capture efficiency.
- Efficiency: The overall energy conversion efficiency of the PV system, including the effectiveness of the ZSI in converting DC power to AC power and the performance of the ES MPPT technique in optimizing power extraction.
- Stability: The system’s ability to maintain stable operation under varying environmental conditions, ensuring that the system can adjust in real time without excessive oscillations or power loss.
- Robustness: The ability of the system to maintain optimal power extraction and grid synchronization despite fluctuating environmental conditions such as sudden changes in irradiance and temperature.
IV. Discussion and Result
A. Simulation Setup
- Solar PV Array: Modeled using the single-diode model to simulate the I-V characteristics and output power of the solar panel under varying irradiance and temperature.
- Z-Source Inverter (ZSI): The ZSI was modeled to include the Z-network, which provides buck-boost voltage conversion. The ZSI's switching frequency and duty cycle were controlled using the Extremum-Seeking MPPT technique.
- Load: The system was connected to a resistive or dynamic load, depending on the test case.
- Grid Interface: The ZSI output was connected to the grid, maintaining synchronization with the grid voltage and frequency.
- Tracking Speed: Time required for the system to converge to the maximum power point.
- Efficiency: Overall energy conversion efficiency from DC to AC.
- Stability: The ability to maintain a stable MPP with minimal oscillations.
- Cost Reduction: Reduction in operational costs due to the efficiency of the ES MPPT system.
B. Simulation Results
1. Tracking Speed and Accuracy
| MPPT Technique | Irradiance (W/m²) | Tracking Speed (seconds) | Time to Converge (s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extremum-Seeking | 1000 | 0.23 | 1.2 |
| P&O | 1000 | 0.58 | 2.5 |
| IncCond | 1000 | 0.46 | 2.0 |
| Extremum-Seeking | 600 | 0.25 | 1.3 |
| P&O | 600 | 0.65 | 3.0 |
| IncCond | 600 | 0.55 | 2.5 |
2. Efficiency and Stability
| MPPT Technique | Efficiency (%) | Oscillation Around MPP (%) | Power Loss (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extremum-Seeking | 98.5 | 0.1 | 1.2 |
| P&O | 94.2 | 1.5 | 3.3 |
| IncCond | 96.4 | 1.0 | 2.5 |
3. Performance Under Varying Irradiance and Temperature
C. Comparative Analysis
- Tracking Speed: The ES MPPT method consistently converged faster to the MPP under changing irradiance conditions, reducing tracking time by approximately 50% compared to P&O and 40% compared to IncCond.
- Efficiency: The overall energy conversion efficiency with ES MPPT was 4.3% higher than with P&O and 2.1% higher than with IncCond, demonstrating that ES MPPT ensures better use of the available solar energy.
- System Stability: The ES-based system exhibited minimal oscillations around the MPP, with less than 0.1% variation, while the traditional methods showed larger oscillations, particularly during rapid irradiance changes.
V. Conclusions
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