This work was supported by CAPES, CNPq and FINEP. MPPT Method Based on Temperature Control of the Photovoltaic Cells Nuno Miguel Martins da Rocha, Denizar Cruz Martins Power Electronics Institute, Electrical Engineering Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina - UFSC Florianópolis, Brazil. denizar@inep.ufsc.br Júlio César Passos Mechanical Engineering Department. Federal University of Santa Catarina - UFSC Florianópolis, Brazil. julio.passos@ufsc.br Abstract — The photovoltaic (PV) conversion efficiency is affected by modifications of the operation conditions particularly the ones concerning PV cell temperature and radiation due to the displacement of the system maximum power point (MPP). There are several electronic devices known as maximum power point tracking (MPPT) that allow the minimization of those effects by assuring the system continuously operation on its MPP. The present work focuses on the study of a system that allows controlling the temperature of PV cells, providing that way thermal and electric energy while at the same time ensuring that the PV system operates as close as possible to its MPP without the need to employ any MPPT algorithm to the DC-DC converter. I. INTRODUCTION The conversion of solar energy into electrical energy is accomplish using a photovoltaic (PV) cell, which is affected by the operation conditions. Particularly the ones concerning cell temperature and radiation levels as they directly affects the system power output. An increment in radiation levels enhances it while a increase in temperature reduces it [1]. Consequently, alterations on the solar radiation levels and PV cell temperature originates the displacement of the PV system maximum power point (MPP). Therefore, in order to guarantee that the PV system constantly operates on its MPP, many works suggest the use of specific electronic circuits known as maximum power point tracking (MPPT). There are several MPPT algorithms that use different kind of inputs and outputs [2]–[6]. The most common use the output current, voltage or both, to calculate the MPP. However, some of the newest MPPT algorithms suggest using the PV cell temperature as an input to determine the MPP [7], [8]. High levels of solar radiation denote more energy. However, it also means high PV cell temperature leading to a cutback of the PV system true potential, due to the negative effect of temperature rising. Thus, in recent years many works have focused on increasing the PV system efficiency through the manipulation of the PV cell temperature[9]–[13]. In light of the aforementioned, one realizes that a way to maximize the PV module efficiency would be by combining a MPPT technique based on temperature control, with a PV cooling technique. Therefore, the present work analyses a method that allows controlling the temperature of PV cells, ensuring this way the PV system constantly operation on its MPP without the need for implementing any MPPT algorithm to the DC-DC converter. The use of a fixed duty cycle will suffice, provided that the system load behaves as a voltage source. Such as a battery bank or an electrical grid. It is also evaluated the efficiency of the proposed method as a MPPT and executed a system analysis, comparatively to a PV system that employs a MPPT algorithm to the DC-DC converter. This paper begins by presenting a small explanation on how the PV module performance is affected by operation conditions. Afterwards, it is introduce the authors MPPT method and proposed system. Lastly, the MPPT system comparative analysis results are presented as well as suggestions for future research works. II. PV MODULE CHARACTERISTICS A PV module yields a unique current (I) - voltage (V) generation curve according to the levels of solar incident radiation and PV cells temperature, as shown in Fig. 1. The location of the MPP varies horizontally and vertically, according to the changes in the temperature of PV cells and the incident radiation levels, respectively [8]. Thus, in order to ensure that the PV system output power corresponds to the maximum available, it is necessary assuring that the system operates on its MPP. However, if the temperature of the PV cells is kept at a constant value, the displacement of the MPP only occurs vertically, regardless of the variations observed in the levels of incident radiation [7], as described in Fig. 2. Consequently, if the PV cells permanently exhibit a constant temperature of operation, clamping the PV system output voltage guarantees the system continuously MPP operation. In other words, operation of the DC-DC converter using a fixed duty cycle will guarantee PV maximum power extraction. As long as the system load behaves as a voltage source.