Enhanced Efficiency and Robustness in PV Water Pumping Systems via a Novel Weighting Factor-Free MPC with Online Loss Minimization

Badreddine Salhi; Rezzak Daoud; Nasserdine Boudjerda; Emrah Zerdali

doi:10.31127/tuje.1817837

Enhanced Efficiency and Robustness in PV Water Pumping Systems via a Novel Weighting Factor-Free MPC with Online Loss Minimization

Abstract

Battery-free photovoltaic water pumping systems (PV-WPSs) represent a practical solution for utilizing solar energy in applications such as irrigation and potable water supply, particularly in remote regions. This article proposes a standalone PV-WPS featuring a two-stage converter configuration designed to enhance system efficiency and reliability. The first stage employs a hybrid Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) strategy, combining an Artificial Neural Network with Sliding Mode Control (ANN-SM). This technique is selected for its rapid and robust performance under highly dynamic atmospheric conditions, ensuring maximum power extraction from the PV panels. The primary contribution of this work lies in the second stage, where a novel Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm is developed for the three-phase inverter driving the induction motor (IM). The proposed MPC is designed for real-time minimization of power losses, thereby maximizing overall system efficiency. A key innovation of this approach is the elimination of weighting factors, which are typically difficult to tune and can limit the implementation and reliability of traditional MPC systems under varying operating conditions. The entire PV-WPS is modeled and simulated in MATLAB/Simulink under fast-changing environmental profiles. A comparative analysis demonstrates that the proposed system significantly improves both tracking performance and overall efficiency. In particular, the ANN-SM MPPT enhances tracking efficiency by approximately 3.92% and reduces power ripple by 95.4% compared to conventional methods. Furthermore, the proposed weighting-factor-free MPC with online loss minimization reduces motor power losses by 16.67% and improves dynamic response, achieving a 43.75% faster settling time. These improvements result in faster response, reduced torque ripples, and increased water pumping capability. Ultimately, by removing the need for weighting factors, the proposed approach simplifies controller design and improves robustness, while the integration of online loss minimization maximizes solar energy utilization, representing a significant advancement in PV-WPS technology.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

University of Jijel

Ethical Statement

This study does not involve human participants or animals. Ethical approval was not required.

Thanks

The authors would like to express their sincere appreciation to the Renewable Energy Laboratory (LER) at the University of Jijel for providing the necessary resources and technical support. Special thanks are extended to the collaborating institutions — Abbes Laghrour University of Khenchela and Ege University — for their valuable cooperation and contribution to this research.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Electrical Energy Generation (Incl. Renewables, Excl. Photovoltaics), Electrical Machines and Drives, Photovoltaic Power Systems

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Badreddine Salhi ^*
0009-0005-1897-4262
Algeria

Rezzak Daoud
0000-0002-1108-1374
Algeria

Nasserdine Boudjerda
0000-0002-3988-6086
Algeria

Emrah Zerdali
0000-0003-1755-0327
Türkiye

Publication Date

July 6, 2026

Submission Date

November 5, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 2, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1817837

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA93YN49NG

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Salhi, B., Daoud, R., Boudjerda, N., & Zerdali, E. (2026). Enhanced Efficiency and Robustness in PV Water Pumping Systems via a Novel Weighting Factor-Free MPC with Online Loss Minimization. Turkish Journal of Engineering, 10(3), 977-995. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1817837

AMA

1.Salhi B, Daoud R, Boudjerda N, Zerdali E. Enhanced Efficiency and Robustness in PV Water Pumping Systems via a Novel Weighting Factor-Free MPC with Online Loss Minimization. TUJE. 2026;10(3):977-995. doi:10.31127/tuje.1817837

Chicago

Salhi, Badreddine, Rezzak Daoud, Nasserdine Boudjerda, and Emrah Zerdali. 2026. “Enhanced Efficiency and Robustness in PV Water Pumping Systems via a Novel Weighting Factor-Free MPC With Online Loss Minimization”. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10 (3): 977-95. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1817837.

EndNote

Salhi B, Daoud R, Boudjerda N, Zerdali E (July 1, 2026) Enhanced Efficiency and Robustness in PV Water Pumping Systems via a Novel Weighting Factor-Free MPC with Online Loss Minimization. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10 3 977–995.

IEEE

[1]B. Salhi, R. Daoud, N. Boudjerda, and E. Zerdali, “Enhanced Efficiency and Robustness in PV Water Pumping Systems via a Novel Weighting Factor-Free MPC with Online Loss Minimization”, TUJE, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 977–995, July 2026, doi: 10.31127/tuje.1817837.

ISNAD

Salhi, Badreddine - Daoud, Rezzak - Boudjerda, Nasserdine - Zerdali, Emrah. “Enhanced Efficiency and Robustness in PV Water Pumping Systems via a Novel Weighting Factor-Free MPC With Online Loss Minimization”. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10/3 (July 1, 2026): 977-995. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1817837.

JAMA

1.Salhi B, Daoud R, Boudjerda N, Zerdali E. Enhanced Efficiency and Robustness in PV Water Pumping Systems via a Novel Weighting Factor-Free MPC with Online Loss Minimization. TUJE. 2026;10:977–995.

MLA

Salhi, Badreddine, et al. “Enhanced Efficiency and Robustness in PV Water Pumping Systems via a Novel Weighting Factor-Free MPC With Online Loss Minimization”. Turkish Journal of Engineering, vol. 10, no. 3, July 2026, pp. 977-95, doi:10.31127/tuje.1817837.

Vancouver

1.Badreddine Salhi, Rezzak Daoud, Nasserdine Boudjerda, Emrah Zerdali. Enhanced Efficiency and Robustness in PV Water Pumping Systems via a Novel Weighting Factor-Free MPC with Online Loss Minimization. TUJE. 2026 Jul. 1;10(3):977-95. doi:10.31127/tuje.1817837