Stand-alone Photovoltaic System Research Articles

Exploring the Environmental Benefits of an Open-Loop Circular Economy Strategy for Automotive Batteries in Industrial Applications

Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) can overwhelm some of the environmental challenges of a low-carbon power sector through self-consumption with standalone photovoltaic (PV) systems. This solution can be adapted for different applications such as residential, commercial, and industrial uses. Furthermore, the option to employ second-life batteries derived from electric vehicles represents a promising opportunity for preserving the environment and improving the circular economy (CE) development. Nowadays, the industrial sector is progressively applying CE principles in their business strategies, and focusing on the potential positive consequences of CE eco-innovations on climate change mitigation. With the aim to promote the transition to an open-loop circular economy for automotive batteries, this study assesses and quantifies the potential environmental benefits resulting from the integration of a second-life battery-based BESS (SL-BESS) connected to an industrial machine. For this purpose, various scenarios involving the use of BESS, SL-BESS, and a standalone PV system are compared with a base case, where the machine is entirely powered by electricity from the grid. The examination of life cycle stages follows the life cycle assessment (LCA) cradle-to-grave methodology as outlined in ISO 14040:2006 and ISO 14044:2006/Amd 1:2017. Simapro® 9 is utilized as the software platform. Results demonstrate that the combination of the SL-BESS with a standalone photovoltaic (PV) system represents the optimal solution in terms of global warming potential (GWP) reduction, with a saving of up to −74.8%. However, manufacturing and end-of-life stages of PV and batteries contribute to abiotic depletion and human toxicity, resulting from the use of chemicals and the extraction of resources essential for their manufacture. Indeed, when BESS is made of new batteries, it demonstrates the most significant impacts in terms of AD at 1.22 × 10−1 kg Sb eq and human toxicity (HT) at 3.87 × 103 kg 1,4-DB eq, primarily attributable to the manufacturing stages of both BESS and PV systems. The findings represent a significant breakthrough, highlighting the substantial capacity of incorporating SL-BESS alongside renewable energy sources to mitigate GWP resulting from industrial applications, and the criticality of repurposing decommissioned batteries from the automotive industry for secondary use.

Operating modes of grid integrated PV-solar based electric vehicle charging system- a comprehensive review

The impact of air pollution on the world has been highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO), which has contributed to the growth of emission-free and ecologically friendly transportation options such as electric vehicles (EVs). Between 2019 and 2020, EV sales climbed by 43%, and by 2025, 14 million EVs are expected to be sold worldwide. On the other hand, EVs have drawbacks such as expensive batteries, short lifespans, lack of EV dependability, limited driving range, and long charging periods. Integrating renewable energy sources (RESs) such as biomass, solar, and wind power into EV charging infrastructures is gaining popularity. PV solar-powered EV charging has benefits like cheaper fuel costs, easier installation, less demand on the grid for power, and cost savings. Hybrid and on-board charging systems offer benefits such as reduced weight, faster charging, and improved communication protocols. On-board chargers have higher energy transfer but are more expensive and difficult to integrate with charging stations. Off-board charging systems include public, rapid, induction, and home charging stations. Advanced charging management systems can optimize charging to preserve battery life. It is recommended that future research concentrate on the development of sophisticated control algorithms, integration of wireless charging, extension of fast-charging infrastructure, innovation in materials, compatibility with many vehicles, and optimization of grid interface to enhance efficiency and user experience. The charging of electric vehicles in standalone and grid-connected photovoltaic systems is covered in this paper, along with an explanation of the various modes of operation for these systems. There is also a quick explanation of the various kinds of EV chargers, their power capacities, and their specifications. The research and comparisons in this paper are expected to be useful resources for scholars who are interested in learning more about EV charging facilities.

A novel simplified buck power system control algorithm: Application to the emulation of photovoltaic solar panels

This paper proposes an innovative simplified two-stage algorithm for precise and durable regulation of the buck power systems. A critically damped of response is captured and synthesized in the first stage via a second order model. In the second stage, the desired robust response of the system is enforced and stirred by a new parameterless controller. The main feature of this controller is simplicity, which is facilitated by its independence from tunable control parameters. Practical numerical simulations that take into account the impact of plant uncertainties and noise measurements with varying variances are used to thoroughly assess the feasibility of the proposed controller. To highlight the main contribution of this paper, the devised control algorithm is juxtaposed with established controllers, namely the PSO-tuned versions of the sliding mode, backstepping, and PID controllers, alongside other cut cutting-edge controllers, revealing its prowess performance superiority and heightened structural simplicity. Finally, the suggested structure is integrated in a standalone photovoltaic system for appraisal of PV emulation potency. It is found to preserved a superior performance in the context of PV emulation as compared to existing emulators, achieving a dynamic efficiency of 97.85 % in the specific case of MPPT.

CSA-based harmonic elimination controlled reduced switch multilevel inverter for standalone PV system

A standalone photovoltaic (PV) system has emerged as a clean energy solution for application in remote areas. To establish such a system a suitable converter is required for voltage boosting as well as to produce high-quality output as required by the load. To achieve this, multilevel inverters (MLIs) are the proven substitute in PV systems. A conventional MLI uses multiple sources and switches that increase the cost and complexity. To provide a complete stand-alone system solution that addresses this issue, reduced component switched capacitor (SC) based seven-level MLI is disclosed in this paper. A new crow search algorithm (CSA) based selective harmonic elimination (SHE) method is employed to estimate the switching angles. The dominant harmonic orders are removed from the 7-level SC-MLI output while the desired firing angles for the switches are evaluated. Using only seven switches, the circuit boosts the voltage to 1.5 times with the aid of self-balanced capacitors. Therefore, the circuit does not require an additional control circuit for voltage balancing. The overall system is designed in MATLAB/Simulink environment to test under different operating conditions. An experimental prototype of the 7-level SCMLI is also designed to validate the CSA-based SHE control and MLI performance in real time.

Performance improvement of a standalone PV system using supercapacitors: modeling and energy management

Standalone photovoltaic (PV) systems are the most common and practical application in remote areas and communities far from the power grid. However, in the case of supplying a pulsating load with only a battery as a storage unit, their performance degraded. Therefore, hybrid electrical energy storage (HEES) systems represent a viable solution. This paper investigates the impact of utilizing a supercapacitor (SC) to work cooperatively with a battery storage unit to enhance the overall system behavior. Two scenarios of battery storage systems with/without SC are considered. A comprehensive modeling and sizing approach is established and presented in detail. Then, an energy management system (EMS) is proposed to enhance the HEES system’s performance. A proportional-integral (PI)-based controller is designed and examined to control the power electronic converters and hence improve energy management. The HEES system operation is simulated and evaluated using MATLAB/Simulink to feed a pulsating load, where the drawn pulsated load current is composed of two components: one component is supplied by battery, and the other component is fed from SC. Finally, the performance of the two hybrid configurations is evaluated in terms of battery voltage and current fluctuations, transient response, and load voltage and current ripples. The obtained results demonstrate the effectiveness of introducing SCs into HEES system.

A Novel Design of a Low-Cost SCADA System for Monitoring Standalone Photovoltaic Systems

Standalone photovoltaic (PV) systems are pivotal in the global transition towards sustainable energy, offering reductions in fossil fuel dependence and helping homes and businesses lower electricity costs. Key to optimizing the performance and efficiency of standalone systems are supervisory control and data logging (SCADA) systems. They monitor and record operational data such as power output, facilitating early detection of potential issues. This paper introduced a novel design for both the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and data storage in a SCADA system for standalone PV systems, addressing two crucial aspects: real-time monitoring and efficient data retrieval, both at very low cost. The proposed design utilized Bluetooth Low Energy technology to transmit voltage and current data from the PV panel to a mobile application, marking a departure from traditional HMI approaches. This method enabled historical data analysis for trend identification. Additionally, the system intermittently transferred collected data to a cost-effective cloud storage service via Wi-Fi, allowing for substantial data storage at no cost. Remote data storage, another key feature of this design, simplifies data retrieval, which is particularly beneficial for systems in rural areas. Emphasizing open-source development, this design ensured flexibility and customization options. To demonstrate its practical effectiveness of the design, a one-day power curve of the PV system and the battery voltage data are presented, showcasing the design's capability in handling extensive and remote data storage.

Nonlinear control of two-stage single-phase standalone photovoltaic system.

This paper presents a single-phase Photovoltaic (PV) inverter with its superior and robust control in a standalone mode. Initially, modeling and layout of the Buck-Boost DC-DC converter by adopting a non-linear Robust Integral Back-stepping controller (RIBSC) is provided. The controller makes use of a reference voltage generated through the regression plane so that the operating point corresponding to the maximum power point (MPP) could be achieved through the converter under changing climatic conditions. The other main purpose of the Buck-Boost converter is to act like a transformer and produce an increased voltage at the inverter input whenever desired. By not using a transformer makes the circuit size more compact and cost-effective. The proposed RIBSC is applied to an H-bridge inverter with an LC filter to produce the sinusoidal wave in the presence of variations in the output to minimize the difference between the output voltage and the reference voltage. Lyapunov stability criterion has been used to verify the stability and finite-time convergence of the overall system. The overall system is simulated in MATLAB/Simulink to test the system performance with different loads, varying climatic conditions and inverter reference voltages. The proposed methodology is compared with a back-stepping controller and Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller under rapidly varying climatic conditions. Results demonstrated that the proposed technique yielded a tracking time of 0.01s, a total harmonic distortion of 9.71% and a root means square error of 0.3998 in the case of resistive load thus showing superior control performance compared to the state-of-the-art control techniques.

Analysis of a self-sufficient photovoltaic system for a remote, off-grid community

Background The escalating global population, surpassing seven billion in 2012, amplifies the strain on existing resources for food, housing, and conventional energy. Addressing these challenges requires the development of economically and environmentally viable renewable energy technologies. Photovoltaic (PV) solar modules stand out for their eco-friendly operation and reliability. In off-grid communities, stand-alone PV systems, coupled with battery storage, play a pivotal role in meeting electrical energy needs. Methods This study enhances the understanding of stand-alone PV systems through modeling and simulation using MATLAB software. A multi-crystalline PV system, specifically the Kyocera KC130GT, is investigated under varying conditions, and a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller is employed for battery charging. Results The study reveals profound effects on energy production based on the I-V and P-V characteristics of the modeled system when a PWM controller is utilized. The system demonstrates successful energy generation under different conditions, accounting for temperature variations and PV battery voltage mismatches. Conclusion The simulated model serves as a versatile system capable of detecting different conditions in varying light and temperature scenarios. Effective temperature monitoring, voltage adjustment using a suitable charger controller, and the selection of optimal materials for solar modules can significantly enhance the system’s efficiency. The results emphasize the importance of careful consideration of PV system sizing corresponding to battery capacity for improved solar system efficiency. While the cost of the modeled stand-alone PV system is currently low, scalability to larger projects may incur increased costs due to the high prices of photovoltaic panels, batteries, and other components.

Simulation based study of Maximum Power Point Tracking and Frequency Regulation for Stand-alone Solar Photovoltaic Systems

The main objective of this paper is to develop a simulation model of stand-alone solar photovoltaic (PV) system based on mathematical models. A maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm based on incremental conductance method is applied to extract the maximum power from solar PV energy conversion system. A DC/DC boost converter allows the MPPT to control the intermediate voltage. To regulate to voltage at load side a voltage source converter (VSC) based controller is applied to generate the pulse signal for three-phase inverter. The frequency regulation controller is developed based on conventional phase locked loop (PLL) system along with resistive dumping loads. A simulation model based on mathematical model Matlab®/Simulink®/SimPower® is constructed interface. Results using from simulation are stated to demonstrate the behaviour of stand alone solar PV energy conversion system.

Solar Energy Laboratory: Summary of Ten Years Continuous Experiences

As a result of nearly 30 years of research activities in the field, and a need for experimental work, in 2002 at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and IT at “Sts Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje, a Solar Energy Laboratory had been established. It mainly deals with stand-alone (incl. hybrid) photovoltaic systems, but the results of many experiments can be found useful in grid-connected system applications. In the paper several research and educational possibilities of the installed equipment are presented. For that purpose, the results of some experiments and equipment testing have been shown. Ideas for further improvements are also presented. There are elaborated continuous (since 2002) onsite measurement values of the solar radiation and the ambient temperature. There is also presented a method for measuring the I-V characteristic of a photovoltaic generator, together with the approach for obtaining the values of its working parameters.

Photovoltaic Stand-Alone Power Generation System with Multilevel Inverter

This paper proposes a decentralized stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) system, which presents a set of advantages when compared to conventional stand-alone PV system. In the proposed system, the generated energy by the PV arrays is processed by multi-string MPPT step-up converters, which assure a maximum utilization of this energy. The storage system is designed in a decentralized configuration, enabling to achieve a reduction of maintenance cost of back-up system. Moreover, the output stage is composed by a multilevel dc-ac inverter, which enables higher efficiency, low distortion ac waveforms, low leakage currents and the use of low voltage rating semiconductor devices.

Single phase AC power load profile emulator

This paper deals with the realization and design of a consumption profile emulator intended for the validation of different element energy models of a stand-alone wind and photovoltaic system, associated with electrochemical energy storage [1]. The emulator is designed to vary active power but in the near future it will also be used to load simulation with reactive power. Energy models are then inserted in a sizing optimization algorithm in order to minimize the Global Energy Requirement (GER) of the whole system [2]. Afterwards, we will focus on the emulator power part dimensioning and then its modelling in view of the stand-alone system controlled by an active power reference. Moreover, the digital profile generator is described. The impact on the DC bus capacitor current, caused by the frequency difference between the grid and the inverter, has also been tackled. Finally, experimental results are shown.

Design, implementation and evaluation of a control system to optimize the performance of a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) supplied by a stand-alone Photovoltaic System without batteries

This paper lays out the problem of powering a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) by means of a photovoltaic (PV) generator without any battery or any other kind of energy accumulation system and develops a simple and efficient solution for it. The solution has been made by the implementation of a Proportional-Integral Controller (PI) based on Arduino platform as well as an appropriate tuning of its control parameters utilizing the tuning method known as AMIGOf (Approximate M-constrained Integral Gained Optimization based on frequency response). The controller allows the motor to rotate at a speed range from repose state to the maximum speed that can be reached when the photovoltaic generator operates at its maximum power point (MPP). In order to assess the system operation, it has been built up an experimental system composed on the motor, an e-bike inverter and a small photovoltaic generator. Start-up and sudden drop of the available PV power tests have been carried out. The obtained results show a successful system behaviour, providing quick start-up without oscillations and a fast response to a drop of the available power. The generator voltage is always kept close to the control setpoint value, avoiding sharp voltage drops which could turn out the system to be unstable.

Leveraging an installed standalone photovoltaic system for eco-friendly shipping

Leveraging an installed standalone photovoltaic system for eco-friendly shipping

Sizing and analysis of a standalone photovoltaics system for a three-bedroom residence in Nigeria

<span>The intermittency of electricity supply from conventional sources, increase in fuel prices and constant emission of greenhouse gases by non-renewable energy sources are major challenges faced by energy users. Energy from reneweable sources have advantages over the traditional (non-renewable) sources of energy. This paper presents the sizing and analysis of a standalone photovoltaic (PV) system for a 3-bedroom residence situated at Obollo-Nsukka (6.876°N, 7.403°E, 389 m) in Nigeria. The energy requirements of such a residence are 8.14 kWh/day and analysis have shown that the cost of constructing the PV system is ₦2,838,040 Nigeria naira (NGN). The cost of maintaining such a system within a lifetime of 20 years is between 159,328 NGN/year to 1,895,918 NGN/year. Comparing the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of enugu electricity distribution company (EEDC) which is 66.5 NGN/kWh to the LCOE of the standalone PV system which is between 102,124 NGN/kWh to 419 NGN/kWh it was found out that the cost of electricity from the PV system is more than that of the conventional grid. <br /> The PV system provides feasible solution to the intermittency issues of the conventional grid in Nigeria. Hence, this technology only technically viable for residential electrification purposes in Nigeria.</span>

Development of a stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) energy system with multi-storage units for sustainable power supply

The sizing of the energy components is essentially designed to prevent outages and ensuring the reliability of the power supply. This paper focuses on the development of a stand-alone photovoltaic/battery/fuel cell power system considering the demand of load, generating power, and effective multi-storage strategy using a probabilistic sizing algorithm. A computer program was developed and used in the design of component sizing configuration of a stand-alone power system that comprises of a photovoltaic generator (PV), battery, water electrolyzer, a storage gas tank, a fuel cell, and an inverter for a reliable power supply. This program manages the energy flow through the various components of a stand-alone PV/battery/fuel cell power system and provide an optimal technical configuration. The optimum system configuration of a residential building with daily power demands of 69 kWh/day energy consumption is composed of PV arrays resulting in total rated power of 15 kW, 16 units of 6 V, 225 Ah battery bank, 5.5 kW fuel cell, 5.5 kW Water Electrolysis, 16.5 kg hydrogen tank, and a 5.5 kW inverter. Based on the simulation results conducted, it was shown that the sizing and development of a stand-alone PV/battery/FC energy system have been achieved with system reliability (loss of power supply equal to zero). This program could be used as a power monitoring and control system for a stand-alone PV/battery/fuel cell power system.

Enhanced Standalone Photovoltaic System with Novel Multi-Level Inverter and Nonlinear Control for Improved THD and Converter Efficiency

This article presents a control approach for a photovoltaic system connected to an AC load, aiming to optimize the use of energy generated by solar panels to directly power the load, independent of the electricity grid. The studied system is an autonomous photovoltaic energy conversion system without storage. A new topology of multilevel inverter is utilized to take advantage of its simplicity of control and high efficiency. Additionally, to convert DC to AC with reduced harmonic distortion, the inverter employs a 7-level pulse width modulation (LS-PWM) technique, minimizing harmonic distortion and demonstrating reliability. A sliding mode control strategy is applied to the boost converter to achieve stable voltage and frequency, improve the total harmonic distortion (THD), and minimize losses in the power converter. By efficiently managing power flow and maintaining voltage stability, the control system ensures optimal performance of the photovoltaic system connected to the variable load. The proposed approach and the performance of the controlled system are validated through Matlab Simulink simulations.

Comprehensive Performance Evaluation of New Photovoltaic/Serpentine Collectors using Response Surface Methodology: Energy, Exergy, and Environmental Perspectives

Addressing the global energy demand and climate change mitigation requires novel strategies for renewable energy utilization. Photovoltaic (PV) systems harness solar power and are critical contributors to this clean energy transition. However, stand-alone PV systems capture only a fraction of the incident solar energy, thus limiting their overall energy conversion efficiency. To overcome this limitation, this study investigates the performance of integrated photovoltaic/thermal (PV/Thermal) systems that generate electricity and leverage solar energy for thermal applications. This research compares a stand-alone PV panel and six other innovative PV/Thermal configurations. Each configuration exhibits a unique serpentine-based four-compartment thermal absorber design. A comprehensive energy, exergy, and CO2 emission reduction evaluation combined with the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) technique is assessed in this study. The RSM technique generates regression models for all proposed PV/Thermal designs that can predict the output response as a function of the weather data. Finally, the Energy Payback Time is assessed for both systems to evaluate their financial feasibility. The results reveal that the uncooled PV system shows the shortest EPBT, while the PV/Thermal system offers additional benefits through combined electricity and thermal energy generation. Regarding CO2 emissions and mitigation over their lifespan, the PV/Thermal system could reduce the annual CO2 emissions by an average of 6.42 tons per year.

Stand-alone solar lighting system with Programmable Logic Controller

The circuitry modelling of the standalone photovoltaic (PV) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) lithium-ion battery charge controller is presented in this study using the MATLAB/Simulink environment. For the charge controller implementation, a DC-DC converter called a buck topology is used. The Perturb and Observe (P&O) MPPT algorithm monitors the solar panel’s peak power. The lithium-ion battery is charged in three stages by the battery charge controller. The model’s performance is analysed in terms of MPPT tracking performance, battery charging performance, and overall charge controller efficiency performance. With an MPPT efficiency of up to 99.9%, the performance result demonstrates that the MPPT is capable of tracking to the PV panel maximum point at any variation in solar irradiation. For small and medium standalone PV systems, this verified model aids in improved sizing of PV panels and battery energy storage. Techno-economic analysis refers to the assessment of the economic viability and profitability of using this type of lighting compared to other forms of lighting. The maintenance costs and efficiency of these systems can be improved even more by adding a programmable logic controller (PLC).

Design and Feasibility Study of a Standalone Photovoltaic System for Electrifying a Healthcare Centre in a Rural Area of Malaysia: A Case Study

le="Abstract"] <p style="text-align: justify;">Malaysia is strategically located at the sunbelt viability, where it receives a large amount of sunshine every day. This makes the solar photovoltaic technology popularly utilized particularly in rural areas that are isolated from the main grid. These areas have the potential to use photovoltaic technology to meet load requirements. Compared to grid connected photovoltaic systems, standalone photovoltaic systems offer several benefits to system owners including low maintenance, low upkeep cost, no waste or by-products, and easy expansion through the use of multiple solar panels and batteries. This article presents a design phase of the Standalone Photovoltaic System (SAPVS) to electrify the healthcare centre in Kampung Tewowoh, Kluang, Johor. The design steps for SAPVS are discussed to obtain the required parameter for each component in the SAPVS. The results indicate that 16 panels, 1219.52Ah/day, 1437.5A and 350 (A) are needed for the PV panels, battery capacity, inverter, and charge controller, respectively. It is proven that SAPVs are technically viable and feasible for electrifying the healthcare centre in the specified area.