A novel beta parameter based fuzzy-logic controller for photovoltaic MPPT application.

Abstract In this paper, a novel beta parameter three-input one-output fuzzy-logic based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm is presented for the photovoltaic (PV) system application. The conventional fuzzy-logic controllers (FLCs) exhibit obvious limitations such as their dependence on the user's knowledge about the system and complicated rules. Furthermore, they show inherent dilemma between the rules number of FLC and the universality for various operating conditions, which is revealed and explained with details in this paper. Thus, a novel FLC is proposed by introducing a third input: an intermediate variable β. It can simplify the fuzzy rule membership functions and cover wider operating conditions. The dependence on the user's knowledge about the system is reduced. The converging speed for transients is improved and oscillations around the MPPs are completely eliminated compared with conventional MPPT methods. Typical operation conditions such as varying solar irradiation and load resistance are tested for fair comparison of various algorithms. An experimental prototype was designed and main experimental results were presented to verify the advantages of the proposed algorithm. Highlights • A novel FLC is proposed by introducing an intermediate variable β and it can simplify the fuzzy rule membership functions. • The dependency on the designer's knowledge of the system can be reduced by using the proposed algorithm. • The converging speed for transients is improved and oscillations around the MPPs are eliminated. • Various scenarios are analyzed and simulated according to the irradiance change and load variation. • Both simulation and experimental evaluation demonstrate the superior performance over other traditional MPPT methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]