Performance Evaluation of P&O, improved Sliding Mode and Fuzzy Logic MPPT Methods in PV Systems: A Comparative Study under uniform and non-uniform conditions

This paper presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of three Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms Perturb and Observe (P&O), improved Sliding Mode Control (SMC), and Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC) applied to photovoltaic (PV) systems operating under both uniform irradiance and partial shading conditions. While uniform irradiance allows straightforward MPPT operation, variations caused by shading introduce nonlinearities in the power–voltage (P–V) characteristics that degrade performance and energy yield. The three MPPT techniques are implemented and evaluated in a simulated PV system using MATLAB/Simscape. Their performance is assessed using key metrics, including tracking efficiency, power losses (at the PV and load levels), and output power ripple. Results show that under uniform conditions, intelligent controllers (SMC and FLC) outperform conventional P&O by achieving faster convergence and improved output stability. Under partial shading, the disparity in algorithm performance becomes more pronounced, with FLC achieving the highest tracking accuracy (up to 99.8%), minimal ripple, and negligible power losses. The results reveal critical insights into the strengths and limitations of each method, providing guidance for optimal MPPT strategy selection in real-world solar energy applications.

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