Single Stage Solar PV Fed Brushless DC Motor Driven Water Pump

Abstract

In order to optimize the solar photovoltaic (PV) generated power using a maximum power point tracking technique, a dc-dc conversion stage is usually required in solar PV fed water pumping which is driven by a brushless dc (BLDC) motor. This power conversion stage leads to an increased cost, size, complexity, and reduced efficiency. As a unique solution, this paper addresses a single stage solar PV energy conversion system feeding a BLDC motor-pump, which eliminates the dc-dc conversion stage. A simple control technique capable of operating the solar PV array at its peak power using a common voltage source inverter is proposed for BLDC motor control. The proposed control eliminates the BLDC motor phase current sensors. No supplementary control is associated for the speed control of motor-pump and its soft start. The speed is controlled through the optimum power of solar PV array. The suitability of proposed system is manifested through its performance evaluation using MATLAB/Simulink-based simulated results and experimental validation on a developed prototype, under the practical operating conditions.