A Modified Incremental Conductance Technique for Maximum Power Point Tracking of a Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System

Ibram Y. Fawzy; Montaser Abd El Sattar

doi:10.1234/jaemr.2026.01.01.010102

View Style: Default | ACS

Journal of Advanced Engineering and Management Research

Vol. 1, No. 1, 2026

A Modified Incremental Conductance Technique for Maximum Power Point Tracking of a Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System

Ibram Y. Fawzy¹, *, Montaser Abd El Sattar²

‎1 Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company, Middle Egypt Electricity Zone, Middle Egypt Regional Control Center, Minia, ‎Egypt; ² Electrical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt‎

* Corresponding Author : ibramyehia@yahoo.com

DOI: 10.1234/jaemr.2026.01.01.010102

Pages: 1-16

Abstract

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) ‎algorithm of a photovoltaic system (PV) ‎connected to the utility grid has been studied in ‎this work. A modified incremental conductance ‎‎(INC) technique is proposed to achieve MPPT ‎under varying conditions of solar radiation and ‎temperature through the use of a boost converter. ‎The technique aims to improve energy capture ‎while minimizing steady-state oscillations. A ‎digital simulation utilizing the Matlab/Simulink ‎package is conducted to evaluate the ‎performance of the proposed technique. A ‎comparative analysis is performed between the ‎modified and conventional incremental ‎conductance techniques under different ‎operating conditions to highlight the advantages ‎of the proposed method. The results indicate that ‎the modified algorithm is capable of accurately ‎tracking the maximum power point (MPP), even ‎amid fluctuations in weather conditions, in ‎contrast to the conventional INC algorithm.

Keywords:

PV System; MPPT; Modified INC; Boost Converter.

1. Introduction

Due to the decrease of conventional sources of energy and the increasing problematic of environmental ‎pollution, the research and utilization about the renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, wind ‎energy as so on, have been in favor of more and more attention [1, 2]. The Photovoltaic (PV) systems ‎have some advantages such as environment friendly "pollution free" and low maintenance cost. The main ‎disadvantages of PV systems are they require a high installation cost and they have a low efficiency as ‎their efficiency are not more than 20% [3, 4].
PV grid-integrated systems are the most commonly and ‎extensively used nowadays. They do not need batteries and they use common inverters necessary for ‎connecting to the utility grid. All the generated energy produced from PV system is exported to the ‎electricity grid and we frequently get paid credit for the energy exported by this system. The PV on-grid ‎systems are shut down during power failures for safety motives [5]. ‎
‎ The generated power and efficiency of PV array depends on several factors such as solar irradiation, ‎temperature, dirt, shadow and spectral characteristics of sunbeams. A lot of research has been prepared to ‎improve the efficiency of the PV modules. A number of techniques to track the maximum power point ‎‎(MPP) of a PV modules have been proposed in order to improve the efficiency [6, 7].‎
‎ Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is used for achieving maximum power from PV module by ‎accurately adjusting the duty cycle of the DC-DC converter. Several MPPT methods have been employed ‎by the researchers in numerous papers. The most common MPPT algorithms are the perturb and observe ‎‎(P&O) technique and the incremental conductance (INC) technique [8, 9].P&O can be used for the ‎system which is required simplicity of system and for highly complicated system INC can be used [10].‎
‎ The conventional INC method has two main shortcomings; the first one is the oscillating of the ‎operating point around the MPP in steady state operation, the second is that the technique can lose the ‎tracking of the MPP easily if the solar radiation varies rapidly [11].The fixed step size is considered a ‎problem between faster response and steady-state oscillations. Hence a variable step-size can be used to ‎improve the performance of MPPT technique [12, 13].‎
This paper presents modeling and control of PV grid connected system based on a modified INC ‎algorithm for achieving MPPT. The performance of PV systems connected to grid for the both conventional and modified algorithm ‎is compared using Matlab/Simulink. The obtained results show that MPPT can be achieved precisely with ‎the modified technique with less oscillation as compared to the conventional one.‎

References

1. M. K. G. Deshmukh, M. Sameeroddin, D. Abdul, and M. A. Sattar, "Renewable energy in the 21st century: A review," Materials Today: Proceedings, vol. 80, pp. 1756-1759, 2023.
2. J. Kasera, "Design of grid connected photovoltaic system employing increamental conductance MPPT algotithm," Journal of Electrical Engineering, vol. 12, pp. 6-6, 2012.
3. R. I. Putri, S. Wibowo, and M. Rifa’i, "Maximum power point tracking for photovoltaic using incremental conductance method," Energy Procedia, vol. 68, pp. 22-30, 2015.
4. I. Y. Fawzy, A. A. Z. Diab, M. A. Tolba, H. I. Abdul-Ghaffar, and M. K. Saad, "Control of Grid-Connected PV Systems Using INC-Based MPPT Technique with DC-DC Boost Converter Integration," in 2026 8th International Youth Conference on Radio Electronics, Electrical and Power Engineering (REEPE), 2026, pp. 1-8.
5. K. S. B, A. G, C. A, and R. S. Pote, "Modeling & Simulation of Proposed 25 KW Solar PV Power Plant for SSGMCE, Shegaon," International Journal for Scientific Research & Development-IJSRD vol. 7, pp. 431-434, 2019.
6. J. Kasera, V. Kumar, R. Joshi, and J. K. Maherchandani, "Design of grid connected photovoltaic system employing incremental conductance MPPT algorithm," Journal of Electrical Engineering, vol. 12, pp. 172-177, 2012.
7. O. M. Benaissa, S. Hadjeri, and S. A. Zidi, "Modeling and simulation of grid connected PV generation system using Matlab/Simulink," International journal of power electronics and drive systems, vol. 8, p. 392, 2017.
8. A. Asnil, R. Nazir, K. Krismadinata, and M. N. Sonni, "Performance Analysis of an Incremental Conductance MPPT Algorithm for Photovoltaic Systems Under Rapid Irradiance Changes," TEM Journal, vol. 13, 2024.
9. M. Kamran, M. Mudassar, M. R. Fazal, M. U. Asghar, M. Bilal, and R. Asghar, "Implementation of improved Perturb & Observe MPPT technique with confined search space for standalone photovoltaic system," Journal of King Saud University-Engineering Sciences, vol. 32, pp. 432-441, 2020.
10. A. Harjai, A. Bhardwaj, and M. Sandhibigraha, "Study of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques in a solar photovoltaic array," 2011.
11. A. Belkaid, I. Colak, and O. Isik, "Photovoltaic maximum power point tracking under fast varying of solar radiation," Applied energy, vol. 179, pp. 523-530, 2016.
12. I. Y. Fawzy, Y. Mohamad, E. Shehata, and M. Abd El Sattar, "A modified perturb and observe technique for MPPt of intgrated PV system using DC-DC boost converter," Journal of Advanced Engineering Trends, vol. 40, pp. 63-77, 2021.
13. S. Motahhir, A. El Ghzizal, S. Sebti, and A. Derouich, "MIL and SIL and PIL tests for MPPT algorithm," Cogent Engineering, vol. 4, p. 1378475, 2017.
14. M. H. Ali, M. Zakaria, and S. El-Tawab, "A comprehensive study of recent maximum power point tracking techniques for photovoltaic systems," Scientific Reports, vol. 15, p. 14269, 2025.
15. H. Zsiborács, N. Hegedűsné Baranyai, S. Csányi, A. Vincze, and G. Pintér, "Economic Analysis of Grid-Connected PV System Regulations: A Hungarian Case Study," Electronics, vol. 8, p. 149, 2019.
16. R. Ponuguti, "Comparative study of P&O and Incremental Conductance MPPT algorithms for Photovoltaic System," International Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology, vol. 5, pp. 200-206, 2016.
17. R. Benadli, B. Khiari, and A. Sellami, "Three-phase grid-connected photovoltaic system with maximum power point tracking technique based on voltage-oriented control and using sliding mode controller," IREC2015 The Sixth International Renewable Energy Congress, pp. 1-6, 2015.
18. V. Lazarov, Z. Zarkov, L. Stoyanov, H. Kanchev, and B. Francois, "GRID-CONNECTED PV SYSTEM WITH MPPT CONTROL," vol. 63, pp. 357-366, 2013.
19. P. Bhatnagar and R. K. Nema, "Maximum power point tracking control techniques: State-of-the-art in photovoltaic applications," ELSEVIER Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 23, pp. 224-241, 2013.
20. A. Pallavee Bhatnagar and B. Nema, "Conventional and global maximum power point tracking techniques in photovoltaic applications: A review," Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, vol. 5, p. 032701, 2013.
21. A. Safari and S. Mekhilef, "Simulation and Hardware Implementation of Incremental Conductance MPPT With Direct Control Method Using Cuk Converter," IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS, vol. 58, pp. 1154-1161, 2011.
22. S. Abdourraziq and R. El Bachtiri, "A Variable Incremental Conductance MPPT Algorithm Applied to Photovoltaic Water Pumping System," World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering, vol. 9, pp. 1376-1380, 2015.

← Back to Archives 📄 Download PDF

[1] 1. M. K. G. Deshmukh, M. Sameeroddin, D. Abdul, and M. A. Sattar, "Renewable energy in the 21st century: A review," Materials Today: Proceedings, vol. 80, pp. 1756-1759, 2023.

[2] 2. J. Kasera, "Design of grid connected photovoltaic system employing increamental conductance MPPT algotithm," Journal of Electrical Engineering, vol. 12, pp. 6-6, 2012.

[3] 3. R. I. Putri, S. Wibowo, and M. Rifa’i, "Maximum power point tracking for photovoltaic using incremental conductance method," Energy Procedia, vol. 68, pp. 22-30, 2015.

[4] 4. I. Y. Fawzy, A. A. Z. Diab, M. A. Tolba, H. I. Abdul-Ghaffar, and M. K. Saad, "Control of Grid-Connected PV Systems Using INC-Based MPPT Technique with DC-DC Boost Converter Integration," in 2026 8th International Youth Conference on Radio Electronics, Electrical and Power Engineering (REEPE), 2026, pp. 1-8.

[5] 5. K. S. B, A. G, C. A, and R. S. Pote, "Modeling & Simulation of Proposed 25 KW Solar PV Power Plant for SSGMCE, Shegaon," International Journal for Scientific Research & Development-IJSRD vol. 7, pp. 431-434, 2019.

[6] 6. J. Kasera, V. Kumar, R. Joshi, and J. K. Maherchandani, "Design of grid connected photovoltaic system employing incremental conductance MPPT algorithm," Journal of Electrical Engineering, vol. 12, pp. 172-177, 2012.

[7] 7. O. M. Benaissa, S. Hadjeri, and S. A. Zidi, "Modeling and simulation of grid connected PV generation system using Matlab/Simulink," International journal of power electronics and drive systems, vol. 8, p. 392, 2017.

[8] 8. A. Asnil, R. Nazir, K. Krismadinata, and M. N. Sonni, "Performance Analysis of an Incremental Conductance MPPT Algorithm for Photovoltaic Systems Under Rapid Irradiance Changes," TEM Journal, vol. 13, 2024.

[9] 9. M. Kamran, M. Mudassar, M. R. Fazal, M. U. Asghar, M. Bilal, and R. Asghar, "Implementation of improved Perturb & Observe MPPT technique with confined search space for standalone photovoltaic system," Journal of King Saud University-Engineering Sciences, vol. 32, pp. 432-441, 2020.

[10] 10. A. Harjai, A. Bhardwaj, and M. Sandhibigraha, "Study of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques in a solar photovoltaic array," 2011.

[11] 11. A. Belkaid, I. Colak, and O. Isik, "Photovoltaic maximum power point tracking under fast varying of solar radiation," Applied energy, vol. 179, pp. 523-530, 2016.

[12] 12. I. Y. Fawzy, Y. Mohamad, E. Shehata, and M. Abd El Sattar, "A modified perturb and observe technique for MPPt of intgrated PV system using DC-DC boost converter," Journal of Advanced Engineering Trends, vol. 40, pp. 63-77, 2021.

[13] 13. S. Motahhir, A. El Ghzizal, S. Sebti, and A. Derouich, "MIL and SIL and PIL tests for MPPT algorithm," Cogent Engineering, vol. 4, p. 1378475, 2017.

[14] 14. M. H. Ali, M. Zakaria, and S. El-Tawab, "A comprehensive study of recent maximum power point tracking techniques for photovoltaic systems," Scientific Reports, vol. 15, p. 14269, 2025.

[15] 15. H. Zsiborács, N. Hegedűsné Baranyai, S. Csányi, A. Vincze, and G. Pintér, "Economic Analysis of Grid-Connected PV System Regulations: A Hungarian Case Study," Electronics, vol. 8, p. 149, 2019.

[16] 16. R. Ponuguti, "Comparative study of P&O and Incremental Conductance MPPT algorithms for Photovoltaic System," International Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology, vol. 5, pp. 200-206, 2016.

[17] 17. R. Benadli, B. Khiari, and A. Sellami, "Three-phase grid-connected photovoltaic system with maximum power point tracking technique based on voltage-oriented control and using sliding mode controller," IREC2015 The Sixth International Renewable Energy Congress, pp. 1-6, 2015.

[18] 18. V. Lazarov, Z. Zarkov, L. Stoyanov, H. Kanchev, and B. Francois, "GRID-CONNECTED PV SYSTEM WITH MPPT CONTROL," vol. 63, pp. 357-366, 2013.

[19] 19. P. Bhatnagar and R. K. Nema, "Maximum power point tracking control techniques: State-of-the-art in photovoltaic applications," ELSEVIER Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 23, pp. 224-241, 2013.

[20] 20. A. Pallavee Bhatnagar and B. Nema, "Conventional and global maximum power point tracking techniques in photovoltaic applications: A review," Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, vol. 5, p. 032701, 2013.

[21] 21. A. Safari and S. Mekhilef, "Simulation and Hardware Implementation of Incremental Conductance MPPT With Direct Control Method Using Cuk Converter," IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS, vol. 58, pp. 1154-1161, 2011.

[22] 22. S. Abdourraziq and R. El Bachtiri, "A Variable Incremental Conductance MPPT Algorithm Applied to Photovoltaic Water Pumping System," World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering, vol. 9, pp. 1376-1380, 2015.