Maximizing Output Power of a Solar Panel via Combination of Sun Tracking and Maximum Power Point Tracking by Fuzzy Controllers

Abstract EN

In applications with low-energy conversion efficiency, maximizing the output power improves the efficiency.

The maximum output power of a solar panel depends on the environmental conditions and load profile.

In this paper, a method based on simultaneous use of two fuzzy controllers is developed in order to maximize the generated output power of a solar panel in a photovoltaic system: fuzzy-based sun tracking and maximum power point tracking.

The sun tracking is performed by changing the solar panel orientation in horizontal and vertical directions by two DC motors properly designed.

A DC-DC converter is employed to track the solar panel maximum power point.

In addition, the proposed system has the capability of the extraction of solar panel I-V curves.

Experimental results present that the proposed fuzzy techniques result in increasing of power delivery from the solar panel, causing a reduction in size, weight, and cost of solar panels in photovoltaic systems.