Grid interfaced solar PV based water pumping using brushless DC motor drive

Abstract

This paper proposes a solar photovoltaic (PV) fed water pumping system driven by a brushless DC (BLDC) motor. A promising case of interruption in the water pumping due to the intermittency of PV power generation is resolved by using a power grid as an external power backup. The power is drawn from the grid in case the PV array is unable to meet the required power demand, otherwise the PV array is preferably used. A unidirectional power flow control for the same is developed and realized through a power factor corrected (PFC) boost converter. The proposed system and control enable a consumer to get a full volume of water delivery throughout the day and night regardless of the climatic condition. The utilization of motor-pump at best is thus made possible in addition to an enhanced reliability of the pumping system. The power quality standards required at the utility grid are met by the developed control. The MATLAB/Simulink based simulations and the performance analysis are carried out to demonstrate the applicability of the system.