SCHEMING OF CONTROLLER FOR SINGLE STAGE SOLAR PV FED BLDC MOTOR-DRIVEN WATER PUMP

Abstract

To optimize the solar photovoltaic (PV) generated power using a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique, a DC-DC conversion stage is usually required in solar PV-fed water pumping which is driven by a brushless DC (BLDC) motor. This power reformation stage leads to an increased cost, size, difficulty, and decreased efficiency. As a unique solution, this work addresses a single-stage solar PV energy conversion system feeding a BLDC motor pump, which eliminates the DC-DC conversion stage. A simple control technique capable of operating the solar PV array at its peak power using a common voltage source inverter (VSI), is proposed for BLDC motor control. The proposed control eliminates the BLDC motor phase current sensors. No supplementary control is associated with the speed control of the motor pump and its soft start. The speed is controlled through the optimum power of the solar PV array. The suitability of the proposed system is exhibited through its performance evaluation using MATLAB/Simulink-based simulated results. keywords: MPPT, solar PV array, BLDC motor, Water pump, Voltage source inverter (VSI)