A robust design of maximum power point tracking using Taguchi method for stand-alone PV system

Abstract

Solar photovoltaic (PV) cells have attracted substantial interest recently owing to environmental concerns and the energy crisis. However, the efficiency of power generation by solar PV cells depends on various factors, such as climatic conditions and tilt angle. Therefore, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for PV modules is important. This work proposes a novel robust design, which relies on various combinations of insolations, temperatures, and tilt angles, in a stand-alone PV system with MPPT. Orthogonal experiments are carried out using the Taguchi method, avoiding a full factorial experimental design. In the proposed Taguchi-based MPPT robust design of the PV system, insolation and temperature are regarded as an input and ‘noise’, respectively; insolation passage, tilt angle, and load resistance are factors that affect the results of the Taguchi experiments in multiple scenarios. A fuzzy logic controller, tuned by chaos particle swarm optimization (PSO) was utilized to implement MPPT. A stand-alone PV system was used to demonstrate the results that were obtained by the robust design of MPPT and applicability of the proposed method. Finally, a Digital Signal Processor-in-the-Loop simulation was performed using an OP5600 real-time digital simulator by Opal-RT to demonstrate the viability of the proposed scheme.