Real-time implementation of maximum power point tracking techniques for photovoltaic systems

Solar energy stands out among renewable energy sources due to its environmental friendliness and easy accessibility. The use and development of photovoltaic (PV) systems that generate electricity from solar energy is also rapidly increasing. PV systems has an important role in meeting the energy demand but high cost of installation of PV systems led researchers to work towards reducing costs by increasing system efficiency. Therefore, the application and development of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods in PV systems is very important for system efficiency. In the thesis, the performance of the existing MPPT methods is examined in real-time and a new fuzzy logic-based MPPT method is proposed in order to eliminate the errors caused by the complexity of the mathematical models in the existing methods. In addition, the fuzzy logic-based real-time MPPT control method is evaluated together with the designed amplifier converter circuit and it is aimed to increase the efficiency of the PV panel output to an optimum level. In this study, a fuzzy logic-based MPPT method which works in real-time is experimentally performed. In addition, Pertub and Observe (P&O) and Incremental Conductance (IC) methods, which are commonly used MPPT methods, were also investigated experimentally. In order to realize MPPT methods, a real-time control block was developed and integrated into the PV system installed in the laboratory. MPPT algorithms are developed with LabVIEW enviroment in real-time software. In addition, simulation studies of MPPT methods were performed in MATLAB/ Simulink environment and simulation results were compared with real-time experimental results. Fuzzy logic-based MPPT method and P&O and IC method were compared and the results were analyzed. According to the results, it is observed that fuzzy logic-based MPPT method works faster and more efficiently than other methods. Also, with the realization of real-time applications with simulation studies, it is seen that MPPT methods can be applied to PV systems easily and increase system efficiency. In addition, it has been observed that MPPT methods, which are examined with simulation and real-time applications, can be applied to PV systems easily and increase system efficiency.