Double stage solar PV array fed water pump driven by permanent magnet synchronous motor

Abstract

This paper proposes a standalone double stage solar photovoltaic (PV) water pumping system. This system utilizes a PV array, boost dc-dc converter, three phase VSI (Voltage Source Inverter), PMSM (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor) and a centrifugal pump. The boost converter used between PV array and VSI, serves the purpose of MPP (Maximum Power Point) tracking by adjusting the duty ratio using an INC (Incremental Conductance) method in order to extract optimum power from the PV array. The PMSM is driven in vector control mode which drives the pump. A power feed-forward term is utilized which improves the system dynamic response. In this way, the purpose of effective and efficient water pumping is accomplished. The proposed system is modelled using MATLAB/Simulink environment and its performance is simulated to study its behavior under varying insolation levels.