A software tool for testing maximum power point tracking algorithms using real working conditions

•A software tool for MPPT algorithms analysis and comparison is presented.•The tool has the particularity to use real working conditions.•These measured data enhance the quality of the analysis and the comparison tests.•The MPPT behavior is easily analyzed due to the use of user-friendly interfaces.•The software tool is modular, each part can be developed independently.

This paper presents a software application developed to study and compare maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms for photovoltaic (PV) systems. This user-friendly simulation tool is designed to image a PV system. The first edition of this tool contains a database of real time working conditions (solar irradiance and ambient temperature) based on four PV module's models (B-model, one diode based model, two diodes based model and Akbaba model), a boost DC–DC inverter with MPPT, several MPPT algorithms and a resistive load. The advantage of this work is that it permits to easily redo simulations to study the efficiency of the whole system by changing only one or more of the studied parameters. A great number of combinations are then possible: PV arrays of different sizes, different MPPT algorithms, and different working conditions allowing the analysis of the static and dynamic behavior of the MPPT algorithms. The available database allows the choice of different profiles for solar irradiance: sunny days with smooth variations and cloud covered days with sudden variations to simulate static and dynamic working conditions respectively. In addition to the comparison of the MPPT algorithms efficiency, this tool is of major interest for the analysis of the behavior of each MPPT algorithm.