Modelling and simulation of PV based pumping system for maximum efficiency

The feasibility of using a solar photovoltaic array to drive water-pumping units for irrigation and drinking water in remote areas, where other sources of power are not available has been demonstrated. Solar energy, being very costly at present, is to be used very judiciously. Hence, it is very important that the SPV (Solar Photovoltaic) modules operate at its maximum power point all the time. As the insolation and temperature vary, the maximum power point of the SPV array also changes. Due to the relative high cost of solar cell, it is very important that maximum power is extracted out of the SCA to minimize the required size of the SCA and hence the cost of the pumping system. The modelling of maximum power point trackers (MPPTs) has become common to the control system of SPV water pumping systems by selecting the converter-chopping ratio of MPPT using ANN. The models are integrated by a simulation program MATLAB.