Fuzzy logic type-2 controller design for MPPT in photovoltaic system

Photovoltaic (PV) is one of the renewable sources of energy which is used widely in industry and distribution companies consumers. Nonlinear behavior of photovoltaic panels and their output power dependency on the atmospheric conditions motivate researchers to focus on extracting maximum available power from PV panels in order to reduce the cost and maximize the efficiency. In other words, output power of PV panel is dependent on I-P and V-P characteristics and every irradiation and surface temperature of PV. Therefore, maximum power point tracking requires to be addressed to reduce transient time, power fluctuations and increase the efficiency. This is realized by controlling switching elements in DC-DC boost convertor transferring energy from PV panel to the load. This paper presents a new method in maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of PV system based on fuzzy type-2 controller, and also compares its performance with MPPT of fuzzy logic controller type one (FLC1). The PV system composed of a PV panel, DC-DC boost convertor, FLC unit and a DC load, is simulated in Matlab /Simulink. Also, experimental tests have been done for validation. Finally, the simulation results reveal that the FLC2 has better performance in providing MPPT.