Comparison Study of Converter-Based I–V Tracers in Photovoltaic Power Systems for Outdoor Detection

Current–voltage (I–V) characteristics are an important measure of photovoltaic (PV) generators, corresponding to environmental conditions regarding solar irradiance and temperature. The I–V curve tracer is a widely used instrument in power engineering to evaluate system performance and detect fault conditions in PV power systems. Several technologies have been applied to develop the device and trace I–V characteristics, improving accuracy, speed, and portability. Focusing on the outdoor environment, this paper presents an in-depth analysis and comparison of the system design and dynamics to identify the I–V tracing performance based on different power conversion topologies and data acquisition methods. This is a valuable reference for industry and academia to further the technology and promote sustainable power generation.