Design, Implementation and Performance Analysis of a LabVIEW based Fuzzy Logic MPPT Controller for Stand-Alone PV Systems

The paper presents the design concepts and implementation techniques for realizing a Maximum Power Point Tracking Controller for stand-alone solar photo-voltaic systems using Fuzzy Logic. It also includes discussion on the necessity for renewable energy sources and requirement for novel techniques for maximum power utilization and minimum losses. The paper begins with the MATLAB/Simulink model explanation for the P-V and I-V characteristics obtained from a standard solar panel for different levels of solar insolation while keeping the cell temperature constant. Later the paper discusses about the MATLAB/Simulink modeling and the real-time hardware implementation of Fuzzy Logic technique, where the controller is realized using the LabVIEW/cRIO combination. All the MPPT algorithms works only in association with a DC-DC converter. In this paper, a boost converter is used to serve this purpose. Eventually, the results for the Fuzzy Logic Controller are compared with that for the other techniques like Perturb & Observe and Incremental Conductance, and suitable conclusions are made on factors like PV array dependence, Oscillations at the maximum power point, Algorithm complexity and Convergence speed