Using ANN based MPPT controller to increase PV
central performance
2022 2nd International Conference on Advanced Electrical Engineering (ICAEE) | 978-1-6654-1741-9/22/$31.00 ©2022 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/ICAEE53772.2022.9961982
Elaid Bouchetob
Faculté des hydrocarbures et de la chimie, Laboratoire
d’électrification des entreprise industrielles, LREEI
Université de M’hamed Bouguerra,
Boumerdes, Algeria
e.bouchetob@univ-boumerdes.dz
Abstract—Recently, searches for renewable energy and
artificial intelligence have grown in popularity. Photovoltaic (PV)
technology is an ecologically beneficial and cost-effective source
of power, since it requires fewer components for maintenance
than other green energy sources. Slow reaction to rapid
variations in solar temperature and irradiance may render the
MPP incapable of tracking. In addition, as a consequence of the
deficiency of conventional approaches (P&O, IC, etc.), artificial
intelligence (AI) methods such as (ANN, FLC, ANFIS, etc.) are
becoming increasingly popular and are used to monitor the MPP
in PV systems. Each of these methods has benefits. Utilizing the
benefits of the DC-DC converter and the ANN-based MPPT
controller, our work proposes a novel research and design to
improve the performance and efficiency of the Ghardaia SKTM
installation (Module 1) by leveraging the DC-DC converter and
the MPPT controller.
Keywords— PV system; ANN; MPPT; DC-DC converter;
simulink.
I. INTRODUCTION
Investors and academics are developing renewable energy
technologies to balance the energy shortfall and reduce
pollution caused by fossil fuel emissions [1]. Photovoltaic (PV)
technology is a low-cost, ecologically beneficial, and low-
maintenance energy source [2]. Non-linear panel characteristics
are caused by variables like solar radiation, temperature, and
shading (I-V and P-V). In spite of this, the final set of curves
reveals just a single peak power point, designated MPP.
Several strategies and procedures may be used to increase the
PV tracking efficiency, but maximum power point tracking
(MPPT) has been rated the most effective and popular.
Additionally, P&O[5] is being developed as part of these
strategies. fractional open-circuit voltage[6], IC[7], NN[8], and
FLC[9].
Artificial intelligence offers a more exact and quick
reaction to changes in irradiance and temperature as compared
to traditional MPPT methods such as P&O (IC, etc.). [10] In
comparison, conventional MPPT approaches include: An
artificial neural network, often known as an ANN, is a piece of
software for computers that makes use of many forms of
intelligence to rapidly link Irradiance and Temperature to
output (Vmpp)[11]. The approach known as maximum power
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Bouchra Nadji
Faculté des hydrocarbures et de la chimie, Laboratoire
d’électrification des entreprise industrielles, LREEI
Université de M’hamed Bouguerra,
Boumerdes, Algeria
b.nadji@univ-boumerdes.dz
point tracking (MPPT), which is based on artificial neural
networks (ANNs), makes use of the benefits offered by ANNs,
including their noise rejection capabilities and the fact that they
do not require any prior knowledge of physical factors that are
important to PV systems.
Module 1 is the primary focus of our study on this
paper. We designed an entirely new connection by making use
of artificial intelligence in order to increase the quantity of
energy that is supplied into the inverter. Our goal was to
increase the amount of power that was available. The output
power of an ANN-based MPPT controller was measured and
compared to the actual power generated on a cloudy winter day
for the purpose of this investigation.
II. MATERIAL AND METHODE
A. Present Ghardaia SKTM central
Sonelgaz Algeria started exploiting electric energy from
Ghardaia SKTM PV central in 2015; this last consists of 8
modules with 4 different technologies of PV panels (Mono-
crystalline, Multi crystalline, Amorphous, and Couch mince).
The modules (1, 5 and 7) use the technology "mono-
crystalline’’ with (105, 105, 255) KW of power production in
successive; the modules (2, 6 and 8) use the technology "Multi-
crystalline" with (98, 98, and 263) KW of power in successive;
and module 3 uses the "Thin layers" technology with 100 KW
of power. Finally, module 5 uses the "Amorphous" technology
with 100 KW of power. The output of those modules has
connected with eight inverters.
B. Proposed design
Module 1 has 420 panels. Every 20 panels are linked in
series in a channel, resulting in an output voltage of 607 V at
MPP. The parallel connection of 21 channels in a single
junction box with an output current of 173A at MPP yields a
module output power of 105 kW. However, we presented a
new matrix in which 10 panels are connected in series for each
channel (output at MPP is 303.5 V), and the junction box
contains 42 channels with 346 A at MPP. Figure 1 illustrates
both designs:
Fig. 1. a) The existing design of module 1; b) The proposed design for 
module 1  N     N  
  V + I  s  Rs    V + I  s  R s 
    

I = N p .I ph − N p .I 0  exp   N p   − 1 −   Np   (2)
   
  N S .a.  kT      Ns 
  R s

   q 
    
     Np  
Where I is the output current expressed in amps, V is the
output voltage of the PV array expressed in volts, and I0 is the
saturation current flowing in the opposite direction via the
diode. Within this equation, Rs and Rp stand for the series and
parallel resistances, K stands for the Boltzmann constant
(1.38x10-23 [J/K]), T speaks for the operating temperature in
Kelvin [K], q refers for the electron charge (1.6x10-19
Coulomb), and a stands for the diode ideal factor.
The saturation current I0 of those cells is:

(a) I ph −STC + K i ( T − TSTC )

(b)
While the existing model is not tracking the MPP, the idea
of using the proposed design is to take advantage of the MPPT
controller of the DC-DC boost converter.
I0 = (3)
V + β (( T − TSTC ) 
exp  oc −STC  − 1
 a.VT 
Where Voc-STC is the open circuit voltage at STC, β is the
open circuit voltage coefficient
There are several components that are common, as seen by
the figures. To begin, you need to take into consideration the
series resistance, which is denoted by Rs. This resistance has to
be relatively low in order to get as close as possible to the
contact resistance. The next thing that has to be done is to shunt
the resistance Rsh, which has a value that is very high due to the
fact that it is generated by leaks that are formed as a side
consequence of the solar cell. Because Rsh is considered to be
such an important element, Ish is often disregarded for the
whole of the research. Figure 2 shows the electric model
Fig. 2. Electric model of PV cell

C. Solar cell modeling

Isc, which stands for "short circuit current at STC," and Voc,
which stands for "open circuit voltage at STC," are two
important properties that are used to describe photovoltaic cells
[12]. Photovoltaic cells are the fundamental element of a PV
array because of their ability to transform solar energy into an
electric current. On the other hand, photovoltaic cells (PV
Cells) are modeled by using a similar circuit, with irradiance
G[W/m2] and temperature T[°C] serving as the model's inputs.
Where:

 G  Using the characteristics listed in table I, we use Matlab to

I ph =  I ph −STC + α ( T − TSTC )    (1)
conduct a characterization of the monocrystalline silicon PV
 G STC  panel (Atersa A-250M).
Whereas Iph-STC is for the photocurrent that is generated at
STC, TSTC stands for the standard temperature (25 °C “degrees
Celsius”), GSTC stands for the standard irradiation (1000 W/m2
“watts per square meter”), and represents the short circuit
current coefficient (manufacturer should provide it). The output
characteristic known as I V is affected by both the number of
solar cells arranged in parallel (Np) and solar cells arranged in
series (Ns) (series cells)

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 TABLE. I. DATA SHEET OF ATERSA A-250M.
Vin * D
L= (5)
Parameter Symbol Value ∆I L * f s
Maximum Power Pmpp 250 W
While:
Voltage @ Pmpp Vmpp 30.35 V
Current @ Pmpp Impp 8.24 A Vin − min * D
ΔIL = (6)
Short circuit current Isc 8.79 A fs * L
Open voltage current Voc 37.62 V
ΔIL= estimate ripple current, Vin-min= minimum input voltage,
Temperature coefficient of Β -0.34 %/°C
fs= switch frequency,
open circuit voltage D= duty cycle, L= inductor.
Temperature coefficient of Α 0.03 %/°C Io * D
short circuit current C= (7)
Surface S 1.63m2 f s * ∆Vo
Number of series cells Ns 60 C= capacitor, Io= output current, ΔVo = estimate ripple
Fig. 3. I-V / P-V Characteristics of the PV module at various irradiance voltage.
of 25°C
Fig. 4. Boost converter

(a)

The parameters of the boost converter designed are shown

in table 2

TABLE. II. DATA SHEET OF ATERSA A-250M.

Parameter Symbol Value

Inductor L1 0.867 mH
Capacitor C 0.72 mf
Resistor RLoad 3.43 Ω
Input Voltage Vin 300 V
Output Voltage Vout 600 V
D. Boost converter design estimate ripple current ΔI 17.3 A
The DC-DC converters are become more recommended in switch frequency 10 KHz
power conversion, and most systems using this kind of fs
converters are in the renewable energy conversion to track for duty cycle D 0.5
the MPP[13]. In this current work, we used the boost converter estimate ripple voltage ΔV 12V
or step-up converter to elevate the input voltage to up-level
under equation:
III. MODEL SIMULATION
Vin = Vo * (1 − D ) (4)
A. ANN based MPPT controller
Vin= input voltage; Vo= output voltage. To solve a simple or complex problem, the learning
And the other component (Capacitor, Inductor) value we machine technique is used. The three-layered ANN is
follow the equation. simplifying the relationship between its data and objectives.
The first layer is the input layer, which receives and processes

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data. The decision is provided in an output data set by the B. Simulink model
second layer (output layer). Ultimately, the neurons between The atmospheric data of PV array input (Temperature and
the input and output determine which layer is buried [14]. The Irradiance) is every half hour (30 min) as shown in figures 6
data utilized to create the ANN controller include Irradiance and 7
and Temperature for input and Vmpp for output during the
winter season. We apply the equation to represent the neuron. Fig. 6. Global Irradiance (W/m2)

Z =  m =1 X mWm + α
M
(8)

Where Xm is the input variables, Wm is the respective

weight of the individual inputs, and we can estimate the hidden
layer by the equation 10:
N in + N out
Nh = + Ne (9)
2
Where Nh is the hidden layer, Nin is the input layer, and
Nout is the output layer Ne is the number of instances
Fig. 5. (a) The developed ANN configuration used to determine
reference voltage at MPP, (b) Matlab/Simulink hidden layers used
configuration used to determine reference voltage at MPP

Fig. 7. Panel junction temperature (°C)

(a)

The Simulink model shown in figure 10 presents a

developed PV model and consists of three essential
components:
a- A source, which is the PV array.
(b)
b- Power converter (DC-DC boost converter).
c- ANN controller.
The total of measurements used to generate our ANN is
32400 measures; the range of temperature is [3–36] °C and For the source (PV array), it is a matrix of 10 panels in
[54–1207] W/m2 for irradiance. 20% of those measurements series X 42 panels in parallel. The PV panel considered has
(mean 6480 measures) were used for cross-validation, 4860 been demonstrated and characterized in the 3rd part of the
(15%) for testing, and the remaining 65% (21060 measures) for paper. The power converter (Boost converter) has based on
training. In addition, the number of hidden layers was 10 IGBT. As shown in figure 11, the ANN controller inputs have
layers, and the error target of the generated ANN was 1x10-4 linked to atmospheric data, and its output has been connected
with 132 iterations to IGBT Gate.

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 Fig. 12. DC-DC output voltage at various irradiance and temperature.

Fig. 8. The ANN layers in Simulink

Fig. 9. The developed ANN controller used to determine reference voltage

at MPP

Fig. 13. PV module output power at various irradiance and temperature.

Fig. 10. Matlab/Simulink step of model simulation

Fig. 14. DC-DC output power of PV module for the proposed model.

IV. SIMULATION RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The Vpv is depended on the atmospheric changes but
generally is changed in the range of [270; 330] Volts as figure
11 showed.
Fig. 11. PV module output voltage at various irradiance and temperature.

We remark that the Pout of our system is performing

more than the SKTM Pout without DC-DC converter and ANN
controller as the figure15 shows
Fig. 15. Power of output for the proposed model and existing model.

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