*Article* **Optimization of a Solar Water Pumping System in Varying Weather Conditions by a New Hybrid Method Based on Fuzzy Logic and Incremental Conductance**

**Abdelilah Hilali 1, Najib El Ouanjli 2, Said Mahfoud 3, Ameena Saad Al-Sumaiti 4,\* and Mahmoud A. Mossa 5,\***


**Abstract:** The present work consists of developing a new hybrid FL-INC optimization algorithm for the solar water pumping system (SWPS) through a SEPIC converter whose objective is to improve these performances. This technique is based on the combination of the fuzzy logic of artificial intelligence and the incremental conductance (INC) technique. Indeed, the introduction of fuzzy logic to the INC algorithm allows the extraction of a maximum amount of power and an improvement in the efficiency of the SWPS. The performance of the system through the SEPIC converter is compared with those of the direct coupling to show the interest of the indirect coupling, which requires an adaptation stage driven by an optimal control algorithm. In addition, a comparative analysis between the proposed hybrid algorithm and the conventional optimization techniques, namely, P&O and INC Modified (M-INC), was carried out to confirm improvements related to the SWPS in terms of efficiency, tracking speed, power quality, tracking of the maximum power point under different weather changes, and pumped water flow.

**Keywords:** solar water pumping system; FL-INC; SEPIC converter; MPPT; optimization algorithm; centrifugal water pump
