Integrated cooling systems and maximum power point tracking of fuzzy logic controller for improving photovoltaic performances

• Main Authors: Nurul Afiqah, Zainal, A. R., Yusoff, Ajisman, Apen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2019
• Subjects: TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
• Online Access: http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/23305/7/Integrated%20cooling%20systems%20and%20maximum%20power%20point.pdf; http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/23305/; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2018.08.056
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Pahang

The nonlinearity of solar irradiation and temperature leads to unstable photovoltaic (PV) outputs and decrease in efficiency. A method based on experimental study is developed to maximize the output of the PV panels using the combination of PV cooling system and fuzzy logic, fuzzy logic (FL)-based constant voltage (CV) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm. The PV cooling system reduces the PV panel temperature to the optimum temperature, while the FL-based CV MPPT algorithm tracks the maximum power of the PV panel. Experimental results showed that the combination of the two methods in a PV system results in improving the photovoltaic performances. Thus, the PV panel outputs increase when the PV panel works at its optimum temperature. This integrated FL-based CV MPPT controller proves the effectiveness in improving PV performances for any weather condition.