A self-sufficient solar powered SRM driven irrigation pump utilizing modified Zeta converter

Abstract

This paper aims at developing an inexpensive autonomous photovoltaic (PV) array fed irrigation pump utilizing the switched reluctance motor (SRM) drive. A modified Zeta converter is utilized between PV array and motor-pump to incorporate power conditioning. Its continuous conduction mode (CCM) operation helps to reduce the stress on its devices and also the size of PV capacitor. A Perturb and observe (P &O) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control algorithm is used to maximize the power output of the PV array. DC link voltage is kept variable which allows reduction of sensors. The fundamental switching of mid-point converter improves the efficiency of the system. The suggested system is premeditated in MATLB and further confirmed with hardware implementation. The simulated and hardware results under varying environmental conditions testify the utility and worthiness of proposed system for irrigation pumps.