Control method of a photovoltaic powered reverse osmosis plant without batteries based on maximum power point tracking

A small-scale photovoltaic powered reverse osmosis plant is designed to operate at variable flow/pressure in equatorial areas, enabling it to make efficient use of the naturally varying solar resource. A derivation of a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for the photovoltaic (PV) array has been designed to increase the efficiency of the whole system The control method combines feedforward and feedback voltage control systems from given set of rules. As a first phase, a simulation model was developed and validated by experimental results, obtained from a laboratory prototype. The implemented MPPT algorithm demonstrated cost-effectiveness, simplicity and good efficiency, comparable to others algorithms.