Maximum power point tracking of photovoltaic systems using backstepping controller

This research presents a novel method to track the maximum power point of the photovoltaic (PV) systems. A backstepping controller is designed to be applied to a boost DC/DC converter in order to improve its performances and to achieve an optimal PV array output voltage. Lyapunov functions that this controller is based on assure the local stability of the system. Reference voltage is provided by Perturb and observe method (P&O). Hence, the maximum power extraction of the system is guaranteed. Due to nonlinear nature of the system, the use of the backstepping method sustain the stability of the converter in wide range of variations in radiation, temperature etc and keep the output voltage of the photovoltaic generator at optimum point. Simulations used to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed solution in presence of the environmental perturbations.