Enhanced photovoltaic energy harvesting via a cost-effective single-sensor hybrid MPPT strategy with zone-based backstepping control

Accurate Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) is vital for maximizing the energy output of photovoltaic (PV) systems under rapidly varying environmental conditions. However, conventional MPPT techniques often suffer from either high implementation costs or limited dynamic performance. This paper proposes a hybrid MPPT approach that combines Backstepping Control (BSC) with a simplified single-voltage-sensor configuration. By eliminating the need for current sensors, the proposed method significantly reduces hardware complexity and cost while maintaining high tracking accuracy. A zone-based reference voltage selection scheme is introduced to enhance control stability and minimize oscillations around the Maximum Power Point (MPP). The performance of the proposed Hybrid-BSC algorithm is evaluated under a wide range of operating conditions, including complex irradiance profiles, temperature variations, load fluctuations, and partial shading conditions (PSC). Comparative analysis with well-established MPPT techniques, such as P&O-PI, P&O-BSC, IC-PI, IC-BSC, and GA-BSC-based methods, highlights the superior dynamic response and improved stability of the proposed approach. The results demonstrate a high tracking efficiency of 99.76% and a fast convergence time of 0.0035 s, along with negligible power ripples under standard conditions. Experimental validation using a Processor-in-the-Loop (PIL) implementation on a low-cost Arduino Uno platform under complex irradiance profiles confirms the real-time feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.