Model Reference Adaptive Control of Solar Photovoltaic Systems: Application to a Water Desalination System

Abstract

The major problem of the industrial sectors is to efficiently supply their energy requirement. Renewable energy sources, in particular solar energy, are intermittently accessible widely around the world. Photovoltaics (PV) technology converts sunlight to electricity. In this work, we present a contribution dealing with a new mathematic development of tracking control technique based on Variable Structure Model Reference Adaptive Following (VSMRAF) control applied to systems coupled with solar sources. This control technique requires the system to follow a reference model (the solar radiation model) by adjusting its dynamic and ensuring the minimal value of error between the plant dynamics and that of the reference solar radiation model. This chapter provides a new theoretical analysis validated by simulation and experimental results to assure optimum operating conditions for solar photovoltaic systems.