Study of Single Sensor Based Maximum Power Point Tracking Techniques for Solar Water Pumping System

This paper describes new techniques of maximum power point (MPP) tracking for solar water pumping system. The latter system consists of a PV array, a DC/DC buck converter and a universal motor coupled to a centrifugal pump. A conventional hill climbing method is employed to seek the MPP using the motor-pump rotation speed or the pump outlet pressure information. Experimental results are presented and a comparison with conventional algorithm which requires both voltage and current sensors is provided.