Single-Stage Grid-Connected PV System With Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control and an Improved Maximum Power Point Tracking

The single-stage grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) topology has recently drawn attention as it can reduce overall losses and installation costs. This paper presents a new control approach for single-stage grid-connected PV systems. The proposed controller is a combination of a finite control set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) and a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm, which ensures the extraction of maximum power from the PV panels and good transient performance for the output voltage and current. The disadvantages of classical MPPT algorithms in tracking the global maximum power point under fluctuating environmental conditions are avoided by including additional constraints in the cost function of the FCS-MPC. Further, the controller is tested for partial shading in PV. The performance of the proposed controller is compared with the two-stage and single-stage PV configuration with different controls and MPPT algorithms. The simulation results show that the single-stage PV system with the proposed control can effectively extract the maximum power from the PV system and maintain a stable output signal for the transient condition. Finally, experimental results according to a control hardware-in-the-loop (C-HIL) approach are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.