Voltage control of a DC microgrid with double-input converter in a multi-PV scenario using PLC

This paper explores the area of double-input single-output DC-DC converters to develop a photovoltaic (PV) source based DC microgrid which is incorporated with maximum power point tracking control technique. The converter used is a fifth-order converter utilizing boost plus single ended primary inductor converter topology which draws power from the two PV sources simultaneously and supplies upstream with reduced ripple current. A control strategy is developed for load voltage regulation by operating the PV in derating mode. The PV sources are controlled to remove any power mismatch, thus maintaining constant voltage at the load end. The voltage is measured at the load end and the error signal is sent to the controller through power line communication (PLC). Results obtained in MATLAB/ Simulink show that the proposed scheme helps in regulating the load voltage by derating the PV sources. This also demonstrates the successful application of the PLC technique in a DC system.