Towards Constant Load Voltage in Indian Grid Connected PV System using dsPIC Controlled Power Conditioning Unit

Abstract

The voltage fluctuation is quite frequent and wide in Indian grid system. Electric appliances are always designed for optimal performance at rated voltage. Performance and life time of such appliances are affected if the load voltage is diverged from the rated value. As a remedy, a grid-connected photovoltaic system (GCPVS) can be well featured to diminish such load voltage fluctuation in a wide extend. A survey on existing topology of GCPVS is carried out and a dsPIC based power conditioning unit monitoring AC quantities is proposed. The system utilizes a single dsPIC controller to control maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and to maintain load voltage constant, simultaneously. As no DC sensing is not required, the proposed GCPVS have advantages such as less system components, reduced size and weight, etc. Both, seasonal variation of PV generation and grid voltage variation are considered in load sharing in the proposed GCPVS. MATLAB/Simulink based simulation validates acceptability of the system.