Processor-In-the-Loop Implementation for PSO MPPT Control and Backstepping Technique for a Photovoltaïc System

Hajar Dammah, Nabil Arsalane, Bouassam Hamid, Omar Cherrak

This paper considers the problem of controlling a single-phase grid-connected photovoltaic system using the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm and the backstepping as a nonlinear control technique. The studied system includes a PV panel, a DC-DC Boost converter, a DC-AC half-bridge inverter, and an L filter to connect the system to the grid. The PSO algorithm is employed to determine the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) by optimizing the power extraction from the PV panel. This work aims at achieving threefold control objectives: i) extracting the maximum available power using the PSO algorithm, ii) guaranteeing a unitary power factor (UPF) by forcing the grid current to be sinusoidal and in phase with the electric network voltage, and iii) regulating the DC link voltage to a desired reference value. A stability analysis of the voltage regulation loop, power extraction, and power factor control loops will be addressed. The performance of the proposed controller is evaluated through numerical simulations using the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment and validated through a Processor-in-the-Loop implementation.