Fuzzy sliding mode controller design for maximum power point tracking control of a solar energy system

Because of the concern with the energy crisis, solar energy is considered one of the most promising alternatives to conventional energy sources, e.g. petroleum and coal, on account of its zero greenhouse gas emission. Accordingly, making solar cells operate at the maximum power point becomes a critical issue in such a field, for the reason that the cells provide a relatively low power output. Exhibiting non-linear I–V characteristics, solar cells are operated at varying operation points, resulting in an unstabilized output power. Aiming at the design of a sliding mode controller as well as the choice of a crucial gain k_f made through fuzzy logic, this paper presents a maximum power tracking system as a way of reaching a maximum output power. The controller presented is then validated, through simulation and experiment, to provide a better response than a sliding mode controller in terms of the maximum power tracking performance.