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6545(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6553(Online) Volume 3, Issue
TECHNOLOGY (IJEET) 2, July- September (2012), © IAEME

ISSN 0976 – 6545(Print)

ISSN 0976 – 6553(Online) IJEET
Volume 3, Issue 2, July – September (2012), pp. 444-456
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DESIGN A PHOTOVOLATIC ARRAY WITH BOOST CONVERTER

USING FUZZY LOGIC CONTROLLER
T.Balamurugan1, Dr.S.Manoharan2, P.Sheeba3, M.Savithri4
1
Research Scholar, Dept. Of EEE, Karpagam University, Coimbatore, India-
[email protected]
2
Professor,Dept. Of EIE, Karpagam College of Engineering, Coimbatore, India
3
Assistant Professor, Dept. Of EEE, Mount Zion College of Engg & Tech, Pudukkottai, India
4
Assistant Professor, Dept. Of EEE, Mount Zion College of Engg & Tech, Pudukkottai,India

ABSTRACT

This paper proposes a method of Maximum Power Point Tracking using Fuzzy Logic
Controller for Photo Voltaic Systems. The electric power supplied by a photovoltaic power
generation system depends on the solar radiation and temperature. Designing efficient PV
systems heavily emphasizes to track the maximum power operating point. Fuzzy Logic
Controllers provide attractive features such as fast response, accuracy and good performance.
The Maximum power point tracking control is based on Perturb and Observe method and
Fuzzy Logic Controller to control a switch of a Boost Converter. In order to increase the
efficiency of the energy conversion for a Photo Voltaic system using a resonant switching
technique. This switching pattern can reduce the switching losses, voltage and current stress
of the switching device. Mathematical modeling of the system and the results of simulations
in MATLAB/SIMULINK software are presented to investigate the correctness of the results.

Keywords: Photovoltaic (PV) systems, Fuzzy Logic Controller, Boost Converter, Rule
base, Single-phase inverter, Triggering Pulses, Perturb and Observe (P&O).

I. INTRODUCTION

As the cost of traditional fossil fuels continues to rise, the cost of electricity generated
by traditional means also increases. However as technology and manufacturing processes
improve the cost of alternative energy sources such as solar energy decreases [1]. Because of the
demand for electric energy and environmental issues such as pollution and these effects of
global warming, renewable energy sources are considered as an option for generating clean
energy. Technologies Photovoltaic (PV) energy has increased interest in electrical power

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applications. It is crucial to operate the PV energy conversion systems wear the maximum
power point to increase the efficiency of the PV system. In this paper, a fuzzy logic controller
(FLC) is developed to assign priority to the installed system loads such that all critical loads
receive a higher priority than the non-critical loads, and so when there exists a shortage of
available energy the critical loads are first met before attempting to power the non-critical
loads. This energy dispatch controller is also optimized to maintain a higher battery charge so
that the controller is better able to power critical loads during an extended period of
unfavorable weather conditions or low solar insolation. In this study, the simultaneous
optimization of the membership functions and rule base of a fuzzy logic controller is carried
out.
The maximum power operating point varies with insulation level and temperature.
Therefore, the tracking control of the maximum power point is a complicated problem. To
overcome these problems, many tracking control strategies have been proposed such as
incremental conductance, parasitic capacitance and constant voltage.
The DC-DC converter for a PV system has to control the variation of the maximum
power point of the solar cell output [2]. In other words modulation of the DC - DC converter
controls Maximum Power Point Tracking.
In this paper P&O - MPPT is investigated, P&O technique applies perturbation to the
boost DC-DC controller by increasing the pulse width modulator (PWM) duty cycle,
subsequently observes the effect on the PV output power [2]. In Fig: 1 Represents the Typical
diagram of maximum power point tracking and fuzzy logic controller in a Photovoltaic
systems.
Recently FUZZY logic has been applied for tracking the maximum power point of PV
systems in because it has the advantages of being robust, design simplicity and minimal
requirement for accurate mathematical model. One of the most popular algorithms of MPPT is
P&O (Perturb and Observe) technique; however, the convergence problem and oscillation are
occurred at certain points during the tracking. To enhance the performance of the P&O
algorithm Fuzzy logic converter and Boost converter to the MPPT control. The simulation
study in this paper is done in MATLAB Simulink Software.

Fig: 1 Typical Diagram Of MPPT & Fuzzy Logic Controller in a PV System.

II. MODELLING OF PV SYSTEMS

2.1 EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT

PV is not a constant DC energy source but has variation of output power, which
depends strongly on the current drawn by the load. Besides, PV characteristic also changes
with temperature and irradiation variation. The model of solar cell can be categorized as P-N
semiconductor junction, when exposed to light the DC current is generated. So an ideal Solar
cell may be modeled by a current source in parallel with a diode that mathematically
describes the V-I characteristic by [3].

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July September (2012), © IAEME

Fig: 2 Typical equivalent circuit of solar cell

I=Ipv,cell – Id=Ipv,cell – I[exp(qv/α
αkT)-1] (1)
I=I0(eVd/VT -1) (2)
VPV=Vd-RsIpv (3)
Where
Ipv is the cell current (Amps).
ID is the diode saturation current (Amps).
RS is the cell series resistance ((Ohms).
VD is the diode voltage.
VPv is the cell voltage.
2.2 OUTPUT CHARACTERISTIC OF PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY

In this model, a PV cell is represented by a current source in parallel with a diode, and a
series resistance[3]
. A typical characteristic curve of PV model’s power and voltage curve is
shown in Fig: 3 .
When the direct contact is between the source and the load, the output of the PV module is
maximum power and the operating point is no optimal. To avoid this problem, it is necessary
to add an adaptation device, MPPT controller[3]with a Boost co converter,
nverter, Fuzzy logic controller
and inverter, between the source and the load .

Fig: 3 Typicall Power

Power-Voltage Characteristic off Photovoltaic Array

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2.3 MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING-P&O METHOD

For any PV system, the output power is increased by tracking the maximum power point
(MPP) of the system. To achieve this, a MPPT controller is required to track the optimum
power of the PV system and it is usually connected to a boost converter located between the
PV panel and load Several techniques for tracking MPP have been proposed. Two algorithms
are commonly used to track the MPPT - the P&O method and Inc Cond method. The P&O
method has been broadly used because it is easy to implement. Fig: 4 represent the control of
P&O algorithm using Fuzzy Logic Controller. The MPP tracker operates by incrementing or
decrementing the solar array voltage.

Fig: 4 Flow Chart P & O Method Using FLC

III. FUZZY LOGIC MAXIMUM POWER TRACKING CONTROLLERS

The PV fuzzy logic controller consists of three main modules: the
fuzzification process, the inference engine, and the defuzzification process. The relationship
between these three main components is shown in Fig.:5, which shows a block diagram of the
traditional Fuzzy Logic Controller requires the expert knowledge of the process operation
for the FLC parameters setting and the controller can be only as good as the expertise
involved in the design. FLC with a fixed parameter is inadequate in applications when the
operation conditions change in wide range and the available expert knowledge is not
relatable. To make the controller less dependent on the expert knowledge, FLC could be
introducing [5].

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FLC requires the expert knowledge of the process operation for the FLC parameter
setting, and the controller can be only as good as the expertise involved in the design. FLC
with a fixed parameter is inadequate in applications when the operating conditions change in
a wide range and the available expert knowledge is not reliable. Fig: 5 is composed of two
parts: fuzzy knowledge base controller and a learning mechanism [10].

Fig: 5 Typical Diagram Of Fuzzy Logic Controller

3.1 FUZZIFICATION
The input membership functions take the inputs to the controller (after they have
been normalized by some value suitable for the membership functions) and produce a degree
of membership for each fuzzy set in the membership function. Membership function values
are assigned to the linguistic variables, using seven fuzzy subsets: NB(Negative Big), NM
(Negative Medium), NS (Negative Small), PM (Positive Medium) and PB (Positive Big). The
triangular shape of the membership function of these arrangement presumes that for any
particular input there is only are domain fuzzy subset. The input error (e) & change of error
( e) for fuzzy logic controller can be calculated from the maximum power point. Fuzzy
associate memory for the proposed system is given by Table-1.
Table -1:
Fuzzy Associated Memory
E E
NB NM NS ZE PS PM PB
NB NB NB NB NM NM NS ZE
NM NB NB NM NM NS ZE PS
NS NB NM NM NS ZE PS PM
ZE NM NM NS ZE PS PM PM
PS NM NS ZE PS PM PM PB
PM NS ZE PS PM PM PB PB
PB ZE PS PM PM PB PB PB

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3.2 INFERENCE ENGINE

Once the degrees of membership for each fuzzy set have been determined for a
particular input, they are presented to the inference engine. The inference engine takes these
fuzzy set memberships and determines which rules should be evaluated. Inference engine
mainly consist of fuzzy rule base and implication sub blocks. The inputs are now fuzzy field
are fed to the inference engine and the rule base is then applied. The output fuzzy set are then
identified using fuzzy implication method. Here we are using MIN-MAX fuzzy implication
method [5]. The resulting inference table and the rules surface is shown in Table-1 and Fig:
6(A),6(B)& 6(C)

Fig : 6(A): Typical Membership Function Plots For ‘e’

Fig: 6(B): Typical Membership Function Plots For ‘e’

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Fig: 6(C): Typical Membership Function Plots For ‘U’

Fig: 7 Rule Surface Of FLC.

3.3 DEFUZZIFICATION
Once the degrees of membership of the outputs have been found via the inference
engine, the defuzzification process takes these values and translates them into an output
dispatch signal. Once fuzzification is over, output fuzzy range is located .since at this stage a
non-fuzzy value of control is available a defuzzification [6] is used for defuzzification in the
proposed scheme.
The membership function of the variables error, change in error and change in
reference signal for PWM generator are shown in Fig: 6a-6c respectively.

IV. CONVERTER AND ITS COMPONENTS

4.1 BOOST CONVERTER

In many industrial applications, it is required to convert a fixed-voltage DC source into a
variable voltage DC source. A DC –DC converter converts directly from DC to DC and is
simply known as a DC converter [7]. A boost converter provides an output voltage greater than
the input voltage. The circuit arrangement of a boost converter is shown in Fig:7.
Value of the duty cycle is determined by the fuzzy controlled which is equipped with a set
of well defined rules.

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Fig:8 Typical Boost Converter With FLC

4.2 INVERTER
The main function of an inverter is to convert the DC voltage obtained from
the PV generator into an AC current [7]. The lowest DC voltage will occurs with high ambient
temperature, and this effect predominates over the increased of optimal voltage caused by an
increment of the irradiance at a constant cell temperature, so the maximum number of series
connected models should be determined by this case. Inverter as higher rated voltage of DC
link capacitors, inductors and switches are required.

V. SIMULATION AND RESULTS

This paper simulated the adopted soft switching boost converter, fuzzy logic
controller and the PV module modeling using the MATLAB SIMULINK SOFTWARE.
5.1 SIMULATION PV MODULES
The equation from 1 to 3 for generating the current by PV array are represented by
MATLAB/SIMULATION as shown in Fig: 9

Fig: 9 Modeling Of the Current Generated By PV Array in Matlab/Simulink Software

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6545(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6553(Online) Volume 3, Issue 2, July-
July September (2012), © IAEME

5.2 SIMULATION OF BOOST CONVERTER

The test signal when applied voltage waveform as shown in Fig: 10. The various
parameters used for the simulation boost converter are as shown in Table-2.

Fig: 10 Boost Output from Converter

Table-2
Simulation Parameters
Switching frequency 20KHZ

Filter inductance
inductanc 0.3MH

Filter capacitance 250 µf

Output resistance 10 ohm

Output inductance 40mho

5.3 SIMULATION OF FUZZY LOGIC CONTROLLER

The simulations of the MPPT show that the system is stable. The oscillations about
the computed optimal operating
operatin point are due to thee switching action of the DC/DC
converter. The designed PV module aand DC-to-DC converter module can connected to fuzzy
logic controller module to tracking the maximum power point using switching techniques as
shown in Fig: 11.

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Fig: 11 Modeling Of PV Array Using FLC

Fig: 12 Input Voltage Waveforms.

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Fig:13 Output Current &Voltage Waveforms

VI. CONCLUSION

This paper has presented the fuzzy logic controller for controlling maximum
power point tracking of a photovoltaic system. The proposed algorithm in PV
module and FLC was simulated. The simulation results show that this system is able
to adapt the fuzzy parameters for fast response and good transient performances. In
addition, the result of the simulation shows the increased efficiency of the system
because of reducing the switching losses in the system. This system can provide
high efficiency and low switching losses.
REFERENCES
[1] Hicham fakham , Di Lu, Brouno Francois.”Power Control Design Of A Battery Charger In A
Hybrid Active PV Generator For Load Following Applications,” IEEE Transaction on Industrial
Electronics., vol. 58, pp. 85-94, Jan 2011.
[2] Sang-hoom park ,Gil-Ro Cha, Yong-Chae Jung and Chung-yuen won .”Design and Application
for PV Generationb System Using a Soft-Switching Boost Converter With SARC,” IEEE
Transaction on Industrial Electronics., vol. 57, NO.2, Feb 2010.
[3] Basil M.Hamed, Mohammed S. El-Moghany.”Fuzzy Controller Design Using PhotoVolatic
Maximum Power Point Tracking,” International Journal of Advanced Research inArtifical
Intelligence, vol.1,no 3, 2012.
[4] Mohammed A.Elgendy, Bashar Zahawi, David J.Atkinson,”Assessment of Perturb and
Observe MPPT Algorithm Implementation Techniques for PV Pumping Applications,”
IEEE Transaction on Sustainable Energy., vol. 3, NO.1, Jan 2012.
[5] G.Balasubramanian, S.Singaravelu,”Fuzzy Logic Based Controller For A Standlone
Hybrid Generation System Using Wind and PhotoVoltaic Energy,” International Journal of
advances in Engineering & Technology, May 2012.
[6] Chokri Ben Salah, Mohamed Ouali ,”Comparison Of Fuzzy Logic and Neural Network in
Maximum Power Point Tracker For PV Systems,”Elsevier, Electric Power Systems Research 81,
pp.no. 43-50, 2011.
[7] Jaime Alonso-Martinez,Santiago Arnaltes,”A Three-Phase Grid- Connected Inverter For
PhotoVoltaic Aopplications Using Fuzzy MPPT,” International Journal of Advanced
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Research inArtifical Intelligence, vol.1,no 4, 2011

[8] Caisheng Wang,M.Hashem Nehrir,”Power Management of a Stand- Alone
Wind/Photovoltaic/ Fuel Cell Energy System,” ,” IEEE Transaction on Energy Conversion.,
vol. 23, NO.3, Sep 2008.
[9] Subiyanto, Azah Mohamed, Husasin Shareef,”Hopfield Neural Network Optimized Power Point
Tracking In a PhotoVoltaic System,”International Journal of Photoenergy Vol. Article Id 798361,
13 pages,2012.
[10] Nopporn Patcharaprakitia,Suttichai Premrudeepreechacharnb,Yosanai
Sriuthaisiriwong.” Maximum power point tracking using adaptive fuzzy logic control for
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[11] Power Electronics; circuits, Devices and Applications.by M.Rashid
[12] R.Valarmathi,S.Palaniswami, N.Devarajan,”Simulation and Analysis of Wind Energy
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Balamurugan T was born in Chennai on NOV 16, 1985. He received the

B.E. degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the Anna
University, Chennai in 2007, M.Tech degree in Power Electronics and
Drives in PRIST University, Tanjore in 2011, MBA degree in Human
Resource Management in Annamalai University, Chidambaram in 2009.
Currently Pursuing Ph.D degree in Renewable Energy Sources in
Karpagam University, Coimbatore. He is Assistant Professor at the
department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering of Mount Zion
college of Engineering and Technology and he is also a life time member
of ISTE. He has a long experience in the design of control systems for
power electronic converters and more exactly multi-phase and multilevel
converters. He is currently working on advanced renewable energy based
generators and energy management systems for future smart grids.

Dr.S.Manoharan took his B.E degree in Electrical and Electronics

Engineering from Government College of Technology, Coimbatore in
1997, M.E degree in Electrical Machines from PSG College of
Technology, Coimbatore in 2004 and Ph.D. in the area of Electrical
Machines and drives from Anna University Chennai in July 2010. He has
over 18 years of teaching experience. He is currently working as Professor
and Head, Department of Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering in
Karpagam College of Engineering, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu. He has
published research papers in both National and international journals of
repute and presented papers in National and International Conferences. He
has published more than half a dozen-text books on Electrical and
Electronics related fields. He is a life member of ISTE, SSI and member of
IE (India) and IEEE. Presently under his guidance, there are 14 students
are doing their doctoral work in Anna university Chennai and Karpagam
university, Coimbatore.

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6545(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6553(Online) Volume 3, Issue 2, July-
July September (2012), © IAEME

Sheeba P was born in Pudukkottai on FEB 11, 1985. She received the
B.E. degree in E Electrical and Electronics Engineering
gineering from the Anna
University, Chennai in 2006, M.E degree in Power Electronics and Drives
in Anna University, Trichy in 2009, MBA degree in Human Resource
Management in Alagappa University, Karaikudi in 2012. She is Assistant
Professor
ofessor at the department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering of
Mount Zion college of Engineering and Technology.
Technology Shee has a long
experience in the design of digital electronics for power electronic
converters.. Sh
She is currently working on renewable energy
nergy based systems.
systems

Savithri M was born in Karaikudi on SEP 26, 1988. She received the
B.E. degree in EElectrical and Electronics Engineering
gineering from the Anna
University, Chennai in 2010
2010,, M.E degree in Power Electronics and Drives
in Anna University, Chennai in 2012. She is Assistant Professor at the
department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering of Mount Zion
college of Engineering and Technology. Shee is currently working on
Hybrid energy based systems
systems.

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