MPPT Buck Converter Project Implementation Report

In this report, we provide a comprehensive documentation of our MPPT Buck Converter project implementation. Our primary objective was to design and fabricate a buck converter optimized for solar panel operation, implementing Maximum Power Point Tracking algorithms to maximize power output efficiency. We conducted thorough research on existing MPPT techniques and performed extensive experimental validation of our design. The implementation involved programming key MPPT algorithms such as Perturb and Observe (P&O) or Incremental Conductance methods through microcontroller firmware, with voltage and current sensing circuits providing real-time feedback for dynamic adjustment of the buck converter's duty cycle. Our analysis included performance metrics evaluation under varying illumination conditions, waveform characterization using oscilloscope measurements, and efficiency calculations comparing input versus output power. Based on our experimental results, we propose several design enhancements including improved sampling rate optimization for the MPPT algorithm, enhanced filtering techniques for sensor readings, and thermal management solutions for power components. We believe this work contributes to advancing solar energy conversion technology and provides valuable reference material for future research in renewable energy power electronics.