Abstract
In photovoltaic (PV) systems, maximum power point (MPP) is tracked by matching the load impedance to the internal impedance of the PV array by adjusting the duty cycle of the associated DC-DC converter. Scientists are trying to improve the efficiency of these converters by improving the performance of the power stage, while limited attention is given to finding alternative methods. This article describes a novel supercapacitor (SC) assisted technique to enhance the efficiency of a PV system without modifying the power stage of the charge controller. The proposed system is an SC—battery hybrid PV system where an SC bank is coupled in series with a PV array to enhance the overall system efficiency. Developed prototype of the proposed system with SC assisted loss circumvention embedded with a DC microgrid application detailed in the article showed that the average efficiency of the PV system is increased by 8%. This article further describes the theoretical and experimental investigation of the impedance matching technique for the proposed PV system, explaining how to adapt typical impedance matching for maximum power transfer.
Highlights
Renewable energy sources are the key to meet the energy demands of the 21st century.Solar Photovoltaic (PV) technology is one of the most rapidly growing renewable energy generation methods used to harness the sun’s energy
If the SC bank reaches its pre-defined maximum voltage while the system is operating under the neutral mode, the switch S6 will be turned “on” and S5 will be turned “off” while keeping the other switches in the same state. This will connect the PV array directly parallel with the charge controller and the battery bank, similar to the typical systems
In typical PV systems, the maximum power point (MPP) of the PV array is achieved by matching the instantaneous internal impedance of the PV array to the load impedance by varying the duty ratio of the DC-DC converter’s PWM control signal
Summary
Renewable energy sources are the key to meet the energy demands of the 21st century. Solar Photovoltaic (PV) technology is one of the most rapidly growing renewable energy generation methods used to harness the sun’s energy. Standalone (off-grid) PV systems are used in rural areas where the national electricity grid is not accessible The charge controller is the most crucial part of a standalone PV system because it must extract, deliver and store maximum energy from the PV array into the battery bank to optimize the system efficiency. The maximum power point (MPP) of the PV array is achieved by matching the instantaneous internal impedance of the Electronics 2021, 10, 2422. Electronics 2021, 10, 2422 Electronics 2021, 10, 2422 point (MPP) of the PV array is achieved by matching the instantaneous internal impedance of the PV array (under varying solar irradiance) to the load impedance by varying tvPrhaeVetritodaerruo.rtfaTytyhhrie(asutcinioosdnoaetcrfroctvolhamperuypcliolsninesghtwresodioldlaptbhruylmislroeroacdwadutiiiadlnantgthcioetmh)neto(oPdMWtuhPleaMPtli)ooofsnaidtgh(nPiemaWlPpoMVefd)tahasrneirgacDnyeaCubl-syoDifnvCgtahcrveoyaniDrnvigCoeur-tDthseCerM.
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