Performance Evaluation of Variable Structure Controller Based on Sliding Mode Technique for a Grid-Connected Solar Network

• Published in: IEEE access Vol. 7; pp. 84349 - 84359
• Main Authors: Feshara, Hazem F., Ibrahim, Amr M., El-Amary, Noha H., Sharaf, Soliman M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Piscataway IEEE 2019; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Circuit design; Controllers; DC-DC power converters; Electric potential; Electric power grids; Experimentation; Inverters; Maximum power point trackers; Maximum power tracking; Performance evaluation; Personal computers; Photovoltaic cells; Power converters; Sliding mode control; Solar energy; Solar power generation; Space vector pulse width modulation; Switches; Tracking control; Variable structure control; variable structure systems; Voltage; Voltage control
• ISSN: 2169-3536; 2169-3536
• DOI: 10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2924592

Generating electric power from solar energy is a vastly growing technology worldwide. This paper investigates and evaluates the performance of a solar power generation system utilizing variable structure control with sliding mode for maximum power point tracking (MPPT). This controller is implemented on a buck-boost dc-dc power converter to track the maximum power point (MPP). The suggested controlled solar energy system also includes a dc-link capacitance, a voltage-source inverter, and a grid filter. Energy-based control is performed for the voltage of the dc-link capacitor. Space vector pulsewidth modulation (SVPWM) with current control in dq rotating frame is utilized to govern the inverter. The suggested system is simulated and subjected to various operating conditions. The results demonstrate the power captured from photovoltaic (PV) panels and delivered to the grid while tracking the MPP. For more confidence on the MPPT controller, practical experimentation is introduced using a real PV panel and power circuit with interfacing to a personal computer (PC). The proposed design is subjected to various experimental tests to ensure its validity.