ANFIS-Based Maximum Power Point Tracking and MRAC Voltage Regulation for a Stand-Alone Solar PV Mini-Grid Voltage Stability

Abstract

The increasing deployment of stand-alone solar photovoltaic (PV) mini-grids in remote areas requires reliable control strategies to ensure efficient energy extraction and stable voltage regulation under varying environmental conditions. The intermittency of solar irradiation and temperature causes voltage instability in solar PV systems. This study presents an intelligent control approach for a stand-alone PV mini-grid incorporating an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) based Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm and integrating adaptive inverter control: Model Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC) for inverter voltage regulation. The proposed system consists of a PV array, a DC-DC boost converter controlled by ANFIS-MPPT, a DC link, and a three-phase inverter regulated using MRAC. The system was modeled and simulated in MATLAB/Simulink (R2024a) under varying irradiance, and temperature. Simulation results showed the solar PV array output voltage and DC link voltage improved from 785.43 V to 886.9 V of the PV mini-grid after integrating ANFIS and MRAC algorithms. The inverter controller maintained the inverter output voltage at 1 pu tracking the reference voltage 1 pu equivalent to 400 V RMS line voltage This study provides researchers, engineers, and policymakers an up-to-date insight on recent advances in control strategies designed to enhance solar PV system performance and ensure stable voltage. These strategies will contribute to better living standards in remote areas, broader adoption and sustainability of renewable energy solutions.