Generating electric power from solar energy is a vastly growing technology worldwide. This paper investigates and evaluates the performance of a solar power generation system utilizing variable structure control with sliding mode for maximum power point tracking (MPPT). This controller is implemented on a buck-boost dc-dc power converter to track the maximum power point (MPP). The suggested controlled solar energy system also includes a dc-link capacitance, a voltage-source inverter, and a grid filter. Energybased control is performed for the voltage of the dc-link capacitor. Space vector pulsewidth modulation (SVPWM) with current control in dq rotating frame is utilized to govern the inverter. The suggested system is simulated and subjected to various operating conditions. The results demonstrate the power captured from photovoltaic (PV) panels and delivered to the grid while tracking the MPP. For more confidence on the MPPT controller, practical experimentation is introduced using a real PV panel and power circuit with interfacing to a personal computer (PC). The proposed design is subjected to various experimental tests to ensure its validity.INDEX TERMS DC-DC power converters, maximum power point trackers, sliding mode control, solar energy, space vector pulse width modulation, variable structure systems.

This paper describes the identification and design of optimal Proportional plus Integral (PI) control system for a high voltage unit of an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) filter of a real cement kiln. The unbiased recursive least-squares algorithm is used to identify a linear discrete-time state-space model of the system based on state and measurements that were recorded during subjecting the system to a pseudo random binary sequence superimposed on its input. The state and input variables have been measured by using a dedicated electronic interface system especially designed for this purpose. Based on the identified model an optimal PI controller is designed by minimizing a quadratic performance index using dynamic programming algorithm. The controller is implemented on the real ESP filter and practical tests are presented to show the system performance.