Abstract: Consistent with an example embodiment, a method of tracking a maximum power point (MPP) of a PV (photovoltaic) system comprises a circuit with a controller controlling a DC voltage-DC voltage converter for converting an output current of the PV system; the controller further comprises a memory. The method comprises measuring a first value of a PV system voltage at an initial MPP; storing said first value in said memory; periodically sampling a power output level of said PV system, and upon detecting a change in said power output level exceeding a first threshold, reading the first value from the memory; and adjusting a duty cycle of the DC voltage-DC voltage converter until the circuit voltage matches said first value; the method further comprising fine-tuning the duty cycle of the DC voltage-DC voltage converter to a further MPP following detecting a change in said power output level exceeding a first threshold.

Abstract: A battery charger, or charge controller, for a photovoltaic system is disclosed, comprising a maximum power point tracker (MPPT) circuit, which may be bypassed by means of a bypass circuit. The bypass circuit may be a simple electrical wire or link. The battery charger is operable to track the maximum power of a photogenerator by means of the MPPT, or to bypass the MPPT and disable it, in dependence on whether the power loss which results from the MPPT would be greater than the power saving achieved by tracking the maximum power point of the photogenerator. Also disclosed is a control unit for use in such a battery charger, and a method for controlling such a battery charger.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method (400) of tracking a maximum power point (MPP) of a PV (photovoltaic) system (100) comprising a circuit (120) including a controller (124) controlling a DC voltage-DC voltage converter (126) for converting an output current of the photovoltaic system, the controller further comprising a memory, the method comprising measuring (412) a first value of a photovoltaic system voltage at an initial maximum power point; storing said first value in said memory; periodically sampling (406) a power output level of said photovoltaic system, and upon detecting a change in said power output level exceeding a first threshold, reading the first value from the memory; and adjusting (410) a duty cycle of the DC voltage-DC voltage converter until the circuit voltage matches said first value; the method further comprising fine-tuning (414) the duty cycle of the DC voltage-DC voltage converter to a further maximum power point following detecting a change in said power output level exceeding a first threshold.

Abstract: A battery charger, or charge controller, for a photovoltaic system is disclosed, comprising a maximum power point tracker (MPPT) circuit, which may be bypassed by means of a bypass circuit. The bypass circuit may be a simple electrical wire or link. The battery charger is operable to track the maximum power of a photogenerator by means of the MPPT, or to bypass the MPPT and disable it, in dependence on whether the power loss which results from the MPPT would be greater than the power saving achieved by tracking the maximum power point of the photogenerator. Also disclosed is a control unit for use in such a battery charger, and a method for controlling such a battery charger.