A nonlinear backstepping controller approach for power optimization in a standalone PV system

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present the backstepping controller (BC) approach that is used to track the maximum power point (MPP) of a photovoltaic (PV) system. This controller is used for a boost converter between a PV array and a resistor load. The output voltage of the PV array is regulated according to a reference voltage generated by the incremental conductance (INC) algorithm. The converter is controlled by a duty cycle, this latter is generated by the BC that is based on the Lyapunov function for the sake of ensuring the local stability of the system. The main idea of this approach is to guarantee a system with fewer fluctuations and a very rapid response to changes in environmental conditions. A comparative study is made between this controller and the traditional MPPTs Perturb & Observe (P&O) and INC, this latter demonstrates that the suggested approach has superior performance in exhibiting rapid response time and negligible fluctuations without high power losses, contrary to the other algorithm controllers.