A Fuzzy Logical-Based Variable Step Size P&O MPPT Algorithm for Photovoltaic System

This paper presents a Modified Perturb & Observe (P&O) Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm using fuzzy logic-based variable step size to overcome some of the limitations associated with the conventional P&O MPPT tracking method to improve the transient response and reduce the steady-state terminal voltage oscillations. The proposed MPPT algorithm was implemented and tested on an indoor emulated PV source that is constructed from a conventional solar panel and a DC power supply, a boost DC-DC converter and a dSPACE-based MPPT controller. The advantage of implementing this testing platform for MPPT is easy implementation and indoor testing of MPPT algorithms and DC-DC power converters. Thus, dependency on atmospheric conditions such as irradiance level can be avoided. Details of the emulated PV source mathematical model and electrical characteristics, the proposed MPPT algorithm via dSPACE, simulation and test results were presented in the paper.