Robust super-twistinghigh-order sliding mode controller for a dual-axis solar tracker to accurately track the Sun trajectory

A novel dual-axis solar tracker (DAST) based on a super-twisting high-order sliding mode controller (STHOSMC) is proposed. The surface of the photovoltaic panel is perpendicular to the solar radiation at all times. The super-twisting algorithm due to its super-spiral curve can precipitate the convergence and reduce the chattering phenomenon. Hence, the STHOSMC can promote the tracking performance of the DAST and smooth its tracking motion without the need to obtain the sliding variable time derivative. Various scenarios of the sunlight and temperature have been considered to deal with the tracking performance of this proposed controller. The simulation results under these scenarios have validated that the proposed controller accurately extracts the maximum electrical energy from the sunlight. To further evaluate the performance of the STHOSMC-based DAST, its prototype model has been provided and tested.