High performance photovoltaic pumping system using induction motor

Abstract

Photovoltaic pumping is one of the most interesting applications for distributed energy generation. Despite that, cost still a concern, when compared with others energy resources. Therefore, efficiency improvement can be seen as one way for cost reduction. Use of maximum power point tracker allows generating more energy with the same amount of panels, which means more energy per panel. Nevertheless, the whole power processing has more than panels. It also includes converters, inverter, electrical motor, pump and batteries, which store energy for further use during solar outrage. The aim of this paper is to show how to achieve an effective photovoltaic pumping system without batteries. In this solution the role of batteries are replaced by fluid storage and, steady state operation depends on the amount of available power. Evaluations of all system devices, for each processed power level, allow to conclude about their efficiency and to clarify how they can be controlled to make the whole system operates at maximum efficiency level. Experimental results help to show how a photovoltaic pumping system can be improved in terms of efficiency.