See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/271417178

Maximum Power Point tracking for photovoltaic systems with boost converter
sliding mode control

Conference Paper · June 2014

DOI: 10.1109/ISIE.2014.6864673

CITATIONS READS

12 236

4 authors:

Abdelhakim Belkaid Jean-Paul Gaubert

Université Abderrahmane Mira de Béjaia Université de Poitiers
22 PUBLICATIONS   158 CITATIONS    131 PUBLICATIONS   2,255 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Ahmed Gherbi Rahmani Lazhar

Ferhat Abbas University of Setif Ferhat Abbas University of Setif
51 PUBLICATIONS   145 CITATIONS    27 PUBLICATIONS   536 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Hierarchical control for building microgrids (PhD thesis) View project

PHD Thesis View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Abdelhakim Belkaid on 16 April 2018.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Maximum Power Point Tracking for Photovoltaic
Systems with Boost Converter Sliding Mode Control
Abdelhakim BELKAID Jean-Paul GAUBERT
Automatic Laboratory of Setif Laboratory of Information
(LAS), Ferhat Abbas Technology and Automatic
University, Control for the Systems (LIAS),
Setif, Algeria University of Poitiers, France
belkaid08@yahoo.fr jean.paul.gaubert@univ-poitiers.fr
Abstract— Tracking the Maximum Power Point (MPP) of the
photovoltaic array is very difficult due to the non linearity of its
I-V characteristic which is dependent to the temperature and
irradiation conditions. In this paper we propose a new method
called sliding mode control (SMC) to maximize the PV array
output power. With this method, the PV array output power is
used to directly control the dc/dc converter, thus reducing the
complexity of the system. The Boost-type dc/dc converter is
controlled by the DS1104 R&D controller board. This method
has several advantages in comparison to others conventional
methods such as best accuracy, good convergence speed and high
efficiency. The proposed controller is robust to weather condition
changes. Simulation and experimental results are shown.
Keywords— Photovoltaic systems; Boost converter; Sliding
mode control; Maximum power point tracking; dSPACE controller
board.
I. INTRODUCTION
The potential energy in Photovoltaic power generation
system is inexhaustible, and it is possible as a long-term
reliable and environmentally friendly source of energy.
Photovoltaic power generation system can be used as an
option to meet the objective of reducing emissions of carbon
dioxide and to achieve renewable energy goals. In fact, for 8
years in a row, the world's PV power system installed have
rapidly increased in growth rate of about 30% [1].
The transformation in electricity with the photovoltaic effect
allows to bring basic energizing services (e.g. lighting, air-
conditioning, pumping...etc.) and to answer to many
professional needs (e.g. relay radio, remote monitoring,
lighting systems...etc.). By its flexibility and its easiness of
installation and maintenance, the photovoltaic energy is
incontestably a technical and economical solution for the
electrification in isolated sites, either in the developing
countries or in the industrialized countries. The photovoltaic
solution also represents a sociological stake because, while
bringing progress in isolated zones, it contributes to limit the
rural exodus phenomenon [2].
The output power of PV cell is changed by environmental
factors, such as irradiance and temperature. Since the
characteristic curve of a solar cell exhibits a nonlinear voltage-
current characteristic, a controller named maximum power
978-1-4799-2398-4/14/$31.00 ©2014 IEEE
Ahmed GHERBI Lazhar RAHMANI
Automatic Laboratory of Automatic Laboratory of
Setif (LAS), Ferhat Abbas Setif (LAS), Ferhat Abbas
University, University,
Setif, Algeria Setif, Algeria
point tracker (MPPT) is required to match the solar cell power
to the environmental changes [3].
Several studies have been proposed by many authors. For
example, the Perturb and Observe (P&O) methods [4], the
Incremental Conductance (IncCond) methods[5], the Fuzzy
Logic (FL) methods [6], Fractional Open Circuit Voltage
(FOCV) methods [7], Fractional Short Circuit Current (FSCC)
methods [8]etc...
Among these control strategies, the sliding mode control
(SMC) has received much attention due to its major
advantages such as guaranteed stability, robustness against
parameter variations, fast dynamic response and simplicity in
implementation.
Reference [9] applied SMC based MPPT for PV system using
Boost type as converter with the specific objective to regulate
the PV current. In [10], we found SMC used to regulate the
Buck converter output voltage in order to maximize the PV
power.
In this paper, we present the design of the SMC to track
directly the MPP by changing the duty cycle of the Boost
converter.
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDIED SYSTEM
The studied system (Fig. 1) is an energetic topology with a
renewable (solar) energy source coupled to adaptation
converters (maximum power point tracking, MPPT). These
adapters are DC/DC converters with different structures. The
MPPT function controls a basically DC-DC converter that
accepts a DC input voltage and outputs a DC voltage higher,
lower or the same as the input voltage. Most MPPT controllers
are based on either the buck converter (step-down), boost
converter (step-up) or buck-boost converter. Other types of
DC-DC converters can be employed in the MPPT design for
example, CuK converter and full-bridge converter [11]. These
converters uses intermediate energy storage components such
as inductors and capacitors to control the energy flow from the
solar module to the load by continuously opening and closing
a switch. The switch is usually an electronic device that
operates in two states: in the conduction mode (on) or in the
cut-off mode (off). For our system, the boost converter is used
as a DC power supply, to interface the PV output to the DC
556
load and to track the MPP of the PV array where the input B. Dynamic Model of DC-DC Boost Converter
voltage varies with temperature and irradiance conditions. The dynamic model of the boost type DC-DC
converter in state space form is obtained by the application of
A. Characteristics of the photovoltaic generator PVG
basic laws governing the operation of the system. The
In the case of an array with series connected solar cells schematic diagram of DC-DC boost converter is shown in Fig.
and parallel connected panels, the array current may be 3. The dynamic equations of this converter can be written as
related to the array voltage by (1), as in [12, 13]. [14]:

=− exp −1 − + (1) 60
a)

250 W/m2

where: , are respectively the photovoltaic array current, 50 500 W/m2

750 W/m2
1000 W/m2
voltage. is the light-generated current and is the reverse 40

saturation current. and are respectively the PV module

Ppv (W)
30

series and parallel resistances.

20
is the thermodynamic potential given by (2).

=
! "
10

#
(2) 0

where $ is the ideality factor, % is the constant of Boltzman, &

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
Vpv (V)

is the cell temperature, ' is the electronic charge. 70

b)

0 °C
In ideal conditions, is much smaller and is much 60
25 °C
50 °C

greater, [13]. So, the nonlinear characteristic of the PVG in 50

75 °C

ideal conditions is given by (3).

Ppv (W) 40

=− exp −1 +
30
(3)
20

Figure 2.a shows the characteristic of the PV module with 10

varying irradiation. The cell’s temperature is set to 25° C. 0

0 5 10 15 20 25
Vpv (V)
Figure 2.b shows the PV module’s characteristic with
changing the cell’s temperature; the irradiation is set to 1000 c)

W/m2. 4
250 W/m2
500 W/m2
In the study, one MSX-60 (60W) Solar Panel from Solarex 3.5
750 W/m2
1000 W/m2
Manufacturer has been selected as PV power source. The 3

specifications of this module are presented in table 1. 2.5

Ipv (A)

SMC 1.5

0.5

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
DC Load

Vpv (V)
DC/DC
Boost 4
d)

0 °C
Converter 3.5
25 °C
50 °C
75 °C
3

2.5

Fig. 1. Autonomous photovoltaic studied system.

Ipv (A)

1.5
Table 1 MSX 60 SOLAR PANEL SPECIFICATIONS 1

STC Power Rating Pmp 60 W 0.5

Open Circuit Voltage Voc 21.1 V 0

0 5 10 15 20 25
Vpv (V)
Short Circuit Current Isc 3.8 A
Fig. 2. MSX 60 PV solar panel characteristics: (a) P-V characteristics under
Voltage at Maximum Power Vmp 17.1 V different irradiances, (b) P-V characteristics under different temperatures, (c)
Current at Maximum Power Imp 3.5 A I-V characteristics under different irradiances, (b) I-V characteristics under
different temperatures.
Temperature coefficient of Voc -0.08 V/°C
Temperature coefficient of Isc 0.003 %/°C

557
 , -
= + .0
)*+ -

()
) . . 3
= − + − .0
- - *+ *+ (4)
) 12 12 12

Where is the PV array voltage, V0 and iL are the output

capacitor voltage and inductor current, respectively. The
control input u is the switch position function in the set of {0,
1}.

If we set 4 = 546 47 8" = 59. :8

"
, then the above
expression can be written as:
Fig. 3. Schematic diagram of DC-DC boost converter.

4° = = =>4, @A + B>4, @A. 0

)<
)
(5) Where ∇ is the gradient operator and <.,.> denotes the scalar
product.
It is assumed that the boost converter is working in continuous It is then possible to express the system dynamics on the
conduction mode (CCM), in which the average value of the sliding surface by:
inductance current never drops to zero due to load variations.
4° = =>4, @A − B>4, @A. 5O. B>4, @A8,6 . O. =>4, @A + N>4A
P

III. SLIDING MODE CONTROL DESIGN P

(12)
The basic idea of the sliding mode control is firstly to
attract the states of the system in a suitably selected area of The sliding mode control is composed of two terms, a

surface uZ and a so-called equivalent control u[\

state space, known under the name of sliding surface. Such as discontinuous control in function of the sign of the sliding
once the system is in this area of state space, it has the desired
behaviour. Then, the second stage consists in conceiving a characterizing the dynamics of the system on the sliding
control law which leads, in a finished time, the system towards surface.

0 = 0R# + 0]
this area and will maintain it in this one [15].
(13)
uZ Corresponds to the non-linear component, is determined to
Consider for example the following system:

C° = D>C, EA + F>C, EA. G (6) ensure the attractiveness of the control variable to the sliding

Let S>x, tA the sliding surface, the derivative is given by:

surface and satisfy the convergence condition.

N>4A. N°>4A < 0 (14)

J° = = KC + KE = . C° +
KJ>C,EA L MJ MJ MJ MJ
KE KE MC ME MC ME
(7) we get:

N°>4A = = . 4° + = _=>4, @A + B>4, @A. 0R# ` +

)Q PQ PQ PQ
) P< P P<
G is the gradient of S, then:
>B>4, @A. 0] A +
PQ PQ

N° = O. 4° + = O. =>4, @A + O. B>4, @A. 0 +

PQ PQ P< P
(15)
P P
(8)
Using the condition of sliding mode, the previous expression
In sliding mode and steady state, the derivative of the surface becomes:
is zero (because its primitive is zero).
N°>4A = >B>4, @A. 0] A
PQ

N° = O. =>4, @A + O. B>4, @A. 0R# + =0

PQ P<
(16)
P
(9)
The problem is to find uZ such that:
Thus, we obtain:
N>4A. N°>4A = N>4A. >B>4, @A. 0] A < 0
PQ

0R# = −5O. B>4, @A8 . O. =>4, @A + ,6 PQ P<

(17)
P
(10)
The simplest solution satisfying this condition has the form:
Or, we can express as follows
0] = %R# ∗ N>4A
0R# = − 〈∇Q><A,X><,
〈∇Q><A,V><, A〉
(18)
A〉
(11)
The control system is depicted in Fig. 5.

558
The function of the MPPT sliding mode controller is to ensure the three approaches in simulation is illustrated. It can be seen
that the system delivers the maximum power to the load by that P&O and IncCond have approximately the same response
varying the duty ratio of the boost converter. time, whereas the SMC technique is faster with a time response
about 0.02s.
When the solar array is operating in its maximum output An experimental model has been built. Fig. 5 shows the
power state, we can get block diagram of the control method. Fig. 6 shows a photo of
the experimental set of laboratory of University of Poitiers. The
)b )
= + =0
prototype which was built consists of an emulator which
) )
(19)
replaces the photovoltaic array, two diodes in order to block
reverse currents in the PV source, dc/dc boost converter,
The switch function can be selected resistance load, DS1104 controller board as the main
component, in which also the MPPT algorithm has been
)b )
N>4A = = +
implemented. Operational Amplifiers are used to match the
) )
(20) voltage levels of the variables being measured through the DSP
Analogue/Digital converter, which goes from 0 to 5V.
Imposing the invariance conditions [10]: Three experimental tests were made based on the above

N>4A = 0 $cd =0 the power f >gA (yellow line), current >hA (blue line),
)Q><A
strategy in three different situations. On each test, we present
)
> A (cyan line) of the PV source. Fig. 7
(21)
and voltage
Equation (11) gives us the equivalent control variable as depicts experimental results for constant irradiance. Fig. 8
shown below. presents these results for unfavorable profile of the irradiance
with constant temperature; the last test is for constant
0R# = 1 − (22) irradiance and temperature change (Fig. 9).
e

0 = 0R# + %R# ∗ N
1000
(23)
irradiance E (W/m2)

Idealy, ueq is a solution to the sliding mode control because it

maintains the state on the sliding manifold at each instant.
IV. SIMULATION AND EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
500

This paper presents a novel technique for the maximum

400
power point tracking of photovoltaic systems. The approach is 0 0.2
time (s)
0.4

based on the sliding mode control technique.

The energy supplied by the module does not have constant 1
P&O
values, but fluctuates according to the surrounding condition IncCond
such as intensity of solar rays and temperature shown in the SMC
0.5
characteristics curves in fig. 2.a,b,c,d. These supplies are
power (W)

0.5
therefore supplemented by additional converters. Here the
solar photovoltaic system composed of a DC to DC converter 0 0
is connected to the resistive load.
The simulations were made for duration of 0.4 second, to
illustrate the response of the PV system for the direct sliding 0 0.02 0.04
-0.5
mode control while comparing to the two classical algorithms: 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4
time (s)
perturb and observe and incremental conductance. The
Fig. 4. Simulation results: irradiance profile change (upper), comparison of
simulations were made for solar radiations change as depicted three controls methods (lower) .
in fig. 4. The output power divided to the maximum power of

559
 Fig. 5. Sliding mode control block diagram in DS 1104 controller board.

1100

1000

irradiance W/m2 900

800

700

600

500

400
0 5 10 15 20 25
time (s)

Fig. 6. Laboratory experimental set-up (University of Poitiers).

Fig. 8. Test 2: irradiance change (upper) and temperature constant T=25°C.

Fig. 7. Test 1: irradiance and temperature constants E=1000 W/m2, T=25°C.
V. CONCLUSION
The present paper has presented a direct sliding mode control
which ensures a significant improvement on time response.
The control method has been designed and the simulation
results are presented in comparison with classical ones as P &
O and IncCond. methods. The experimental results show that
the effective control method follows the profile of the
illumination and the temperature profile.

560
 k6 :Input filters (1000µF) ;
k7 :Output filters (470µF) ;
55

50

45
: Resistance load (85 Ω).
40 REFERENCES
T (°C)

35 [1] J. Wu, J. Chen, J. Ren, W. Pan, Y. Zhang, H. Sun, K. Li, J. Hu, R. Ai, X.
Yu, "Study on the Photovoltaic (PV) System’s Application Possibility",
30
International Conference on Bioinformatics and Biomedical
25 Technology, pp. 1295- 1300, 2010.
20
[2] R. Messenger, J. Ventre, "Photovoltaic systems engineering," 2nd ed.
0 5 10 15 20 25
time (s) CRC PRESS, New York, 2004.
[3] F. Wang, Z. Yang, W. Mao "Study of Photovoltaic Single-Phase Grid-
Connected System" Chinese Control and Decision Conference, pp.
2826- 2829, 2010.
[4] Y-K. Chan, J-C. Gu, "Modeling and Control of Stand-Alone
Photovoltaic Generation System", International Conference on Power
System Technology, pp. 1-7, 2010.
[5] S. Dhar, R. Sridhar, G. Mathew, " Implementation of pv cell based
standalone solar power system employing incremental conductance
mppt algorithm ", International Conference on Circuits, Power and
Computing Technologies (ICCPCT-2013), pp. 356-361, 2013.
[6] P. Vipin, V. Beena, M. Jarayaju, "Fuzzy logic based maximum power
point tracker for a photovoltaic system", International Conference on
Power, Signals, Controls and Computation (EPSCICON), pp. 1-6, 2012.
[7] A.F. Murtaza, H.A. Sher, M. Chiaberge, D. Boero, M. De Giuseppe,
K.E. Addoweesh, "A novel hybrid MPPT technique for solar PV
applications using perturb & observe and fractional open circuit voltage
techniques", International Symposium on Mechatronika, pp. 1-8, 2012.
Fig. 9. Test 3: temperature change (upper) and irradiance constant [8] S.K. Kollimalla, M.K. Mishra, "A new adaptive P&O MPPT algorithm
E=500W/m2. based on FSCC method for photovoltaic system", International
Conference on Circuits, Power and Computing Technologies (ICCPCT-
ACKNOWLEDGMENT 2013), pp. 406-411, 2013.
[9] E. Bianconi, J. Calvente, R. Giral, E. Mamarelis, G. Petrone, C. Andres
The work reported in this paper has been supported by the Ramos-Paja, G. Spagnuolo, M. Vitelli "Perturb and observe MPPT
CNEPRU research project No. J0201220070019, conducted at algorithm with a current controller based on the sliding mode",
the department of electrical engineering, University of Setif, Electrical Power & Energy Systems, No. 44, pp. 346-356, 2013.
Algeria. This support is gratefully acknowledged. [10] H. Komurcugil " Adaptive terminal sliding-mode control strategy for
DC–DC buck converters ", ISA Transactions, No. 51, pp. 673-681,
APPENDIX 2012.
f : PV output power (W) ; [11] Forsyth, A.J., Mollov, S.V., “Modelling and Control of DC-DC
Converters,” Power Engineering Journal, 12(5), pp. 229-236, October
: PV output voltage (V) ; 1998.
: PV output Current (A) ; [12] R. Marouani, F. Bacha, "A maximum-power-point tracking algorithm
applied to a photovoltaic water-pumping system", 8th International
: Photocurrent, function of irradiation level and junction Symposium on Advanced Electromechanical Motion Systems
temperature (A) ; (Electromotion - EPE Chapter ‘Electric Drives’), Lille, France, July-1-3,

iX : the gap energy for the silicon (1.1ev) ;

: Reverse saturation current, function of the gap energy ;
: Series resistance of the solar cell (0.357Ω) ;
: Shunt resistance of the solar cell (151Ω) ;
: Number of solar cells connected in series (36) ;
2009.
[13] F. Bacha, M. Gasmi, "Sliding Mode Control of Induction-Motor-Pump
Supplied by Photovoltaic Generator", IEEE International Conference on
Industrial Technology (ICIT), pp. 182-187, 2011.
[14] D. Rekioua, A-Y. Achour, T. Rekioua " Tracking power photovoltaic
system with sliding mode control strategy ", Energy Procedia, No. 36,
pp. 219-230, 2013.

$: Diode quality factor (1) ;

: Number of solar cells connected in parallel ;
[15] E. Bianconi, J. Calvente, R. Giral, G. Petrone, C. Andres Ramos-Paja,

%: Boltzman’s constant (1.38·10-23J/K) ;

G. Spagnuolo, M. Vitelli "A fast current-based MPPT technique based

%R# : Control parameter for sliding mode controller (0.004) ;

on sliding mode control", IEEE International Symposium on Industrial

&: Solar cell operating temperature (K) ;

Electronics (ISIE), pp. 59-64, 2011.

': Charge of an electron (1.60·10-19C) ;

j: Inductance (5mH) ;

561

View publication stats

Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)