Power control of a photovoltaic array in a hybrid electric generation system using sliding mode techniques

A variable structure controller to regulate the output power of a standalone hybrid generation system is presented. The system comprises photovoltaic and wind generation, a storage battery bank and a variable monophasic load. The control law admits two modes of operation. The first takes place when the insolation regime is sufficient to satisfy the power demand. The second mode of operation takes place under insufficient insolation regimes. The latter leads the system operation at the maximum power operation point (MPOP) to save as much stored energy as possible. A new method based on the IncCond algorithm is developed. Sliding mode control techniques are used to design the control law. These techniques provide a simple control law design framework and contribute with their well known robustness properties. Finally, guidelines based on chattering considerations are given for the design of the practical system.