Homemade PV panel boost converter with MPPT

Market analysis

List of currently available PV panels and it’s maximum ratings.

Name Power Voc Isc
SolarFabrik 270Wp 270 38.5 9.25
Winaico WST-M6 PERC 310 40.2 10.0
SunPower 360W MAXEON 2 360 70.0 6.5
Panasonic VBHN 275 SJ46 275 38.2 9.3
Q.cells Q.peak-G5.1 310 40.3 9.33
GreenAkku ETFE 150 21.5 8.7
NoName 275W 275 39.1 9.1
BISOL BMO-360 XL 360 47.2 9.65
Panasonic VBHN 245 SJ25 245 53.0 5.86
BISOL BMO-265 transpar. 265 34.7 9.2
Luxor ECO LINE M72 LX 200 36.4 5.8
ECO-WORTHY 100W Poly PV 100 22.4 6.2
160W 160-12 NoName PV 160 22.9 8.8
PANASONIC VBHN 325 SJ47 325 69 6.0

Graphical representation

Graphical representation of above table

Result

  1. Modules below 200W have a low open collector voltage of 22V.
  2. Modules between 200W and 300W have a voltage of around 40V.
  3. Modules starting at 250W have a very high open collector voltage of 70V.

As power converters above 300W are difficult to build, and modules below 200W aren’t worth attaching an expensive converter, the MPPT boost converter will target 40V open collector voltage modules.