Performance Evaluation of P&O, IC and FL Algorithms used in Maximum Power Point Tracking Systems

Abstract

Solar energy is the most viable alternative source; furthermore, the implementation of solar energy technologies can reduce the problems of environmental pollution and electricity production costs besides securing the demands of electrical power. This research addresses the evaluation of three algorithms used in maximum power point tracking systems (MPPT). These algorithms are Perturbation & Observation (P&O), Incremental Conductance (IC) and Fuzzy Logic (FL). They are considered as the most used in MPPT due to their simplicity and ease of realization. Based on Matlab/Simulink environment, the mathematical models of the three algorithms are designed and tested under various weather conditions. Collected simulation results illustrated the effectiveness of Fuzzy logic algorithm to draw more energy, decrease oscillation and provide a fast response under variable weather condition. The final simulation results show the fuzzy logic algorithm exhibits a better performance compared to both perturbation & observation and Incremental conductance algorithms.