Disturbance Observer-Based Voltage Regulation of Current-Mode-Boost-Converter-Interfaced Photovoltaic Generator

In this paper, a robust control method based on a disturbance observer is proposed to regulate the terminal voltage of a photovoltaic generator, interfaced by a current mode-controlled boost dc-dc converter. The combined generator-converter-load system possesses a nonlinear behavior, highly dependent on operation point and environmental variables, thus burdening the control task. It is shown that employing a typical linear controller, designed according to a single nominal operating point, results in a closed-loop performance, varying from a highly overdamped near open-circuit condition to greatly underdamped around short-circuit conditions. On the other hand, when the proposed robust controller is utilized, the closed-loop performance remains nearly nominal throughout the whole operation range. In addition, it is shown that, by sacrificing the performance in the vicinity of the open-circuit point, it is possible to implement the controller using a single op-amp with a reduced part count. Simulation and experimental results are presented to verify the proposed method.