CHARACTERIZATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC PUMPING SYSTEM MODEL

WITHOUT ENERGY STORAGE BY MATLAB/SIMULINK

A. BOUSSAIBO1,2,3

M. KAMTA1

J. KAYEM2

University of Ngaoundere/ Cameroon, IUT, Department of Electrical Engineering

University of Ngaoundere/ Cameroon, ENSAI, Department of Process Engineering
boussaibo@yahoo.fr

D. TOADER3

S. HARAGUS3

N. MUNTEAN4

Polytechnic University of Timisoara/ Romania, Fundamental of Physics for Engineers Department

4
Polytechnic University of Timisoara/Romania, Electrical Engineering Department
dumitru.toader@yet.upt.ro

Abstract: In this paper, we study photovoltaic power

source without energy storage, but applying an almost
stable voltage across a single phase induction motor
which drives a centrifugal pump. The centrifugal pump
supplies water at a flow rate and pressure set by the
operator. The simulated model is a system PVBoost/MPPT/MLI-Inverter/MLI-Motor-Pump. The whole
system is simulated in MATLAB / SIMULINK software
with ode23t solver and variable step size. An algorithm
allows the extraction of a maximum power of the PV
generator and to maintain the Boost-converter output
voltage almost constant through systematic lock duty ratio
in a given interval. The PWM control of the inverter is
operated, and with an input frequency, the operator can
fix the rotational speed of the pump. Due to the control
law V/f = C, the torque is kept constant, thereby allowing
the pump to deliver water at the frequencies less than the
rate value. The limits values of the speed and pressure
below which the flow of water pumped is zero are defined.
Keywords: Photovoltaic, Centrifugal pump, MPPT.

INTRODUCTION
In this work, we chose to explore the possibility
of transferring the maximum power of the PV
generator to a centrifugal pump in charge of feed a
filtration unit with fixed water flow and pressure.
And secondly, it is a matter of studying the behavior
of the entire system without battery storage.
The use of electric pumps in rural areas in subsaharan Africa remains hampered by the lack of
connected grid power supply. In this part of the
continent, 92 % of the rural populations have no
access to electricity [1]. This large deficit of
electricity supply in the rural area is due to the
prohibitive cost of extending the conventional
network [2].

In the interest of improving the living conditions

of the populations, the research for alternative energy
resources has become a priority [3]. For this purpose,
the Sahel has a very important potential solar energy,
estimated at 7 kWh / m / day [4]. The use of this
solar resource for the production of electricity is well
adapted to rural areas and especially isolated [4-5].
However one of the major drawbacks of photovoltaic
generator, is the dependence on weather conditions
which have a very random behavior and sometimes
very severe for photovoltaic modules. Added to this,
the use of batteries in the system becomes costly in
the short or long term because of their life very
closely linked to the conditions of use.
Several studies are being conducted to improve
the efficiency of photovoltaic systems. The
maximum power transfer is the most studied by
various authors [6]. MPPT algorithms are well
developed for the control of static converters, which
couples the PV generator and the load. Among these
algorithms, the most common are: perturb and
observe, incremental conductance, fuzzy logic, etc.
[7-8].
Otherwise, the automatic control of the switches
of the inverter by the Pulse Width Modulation is
implemented to allow the pump to run at low speed
but with high torque through the constant V/f ratio
when the generator power decreases. However, it is
important to use this law in the filtration application
which required fixed water flow and pressure in a
specific interval. In this paper, the desired is, in the
one hand to allow the operator to set the flow rate
and pressure required, and to maintain a nearly
constant voltage at the input of the inverter without
using the battery on the other hand. In the paragraphs

that follow, using the algorithm "disturbed and

observe (P & O)," a model in MATLAB / Simulink
of the entire system through its various sub-parts is
proposed.
Model of the PV-generator
The photovoltaic generator has a current / voltage
characteristic, strongly nonlinear direct result of the
behavior of semiconductor junctions which are the
basis of its realization [9]. Considering the electrical
model of a diode PV cell shown schematically in fig.
1, the current generated by the cell is given by
Kirchhoff's law:
=

(1)

Table 1. Features of PV Module

Photovoltaic H750 Helios module parameters
Short-circuit current at STC
Open circuit voltage at STC
Current at MPP
Voltage at MPP
Maximum power at STC
Number of series-connected cells

The diagram in fig. 2 shows the Simulink model of a

single module compiled from expressions (2) and (4).
and are resolved in Matfile from their following
analytical expressions:
= . .

Fig. 1. PV cell model

The current of the cell is linked to the sunlight and

temperature by the following expression [10]:

= + ( )
(2)

Where is the temperature coefficient, , the cell

temperature and , the temperature in standard
operating conditions; , the radiation /2
received by the cell and 0 radiation in standard
conditions. The diode current is given by the formula
[11]:
+
= 1
(3)

With =

4.01 A
21.6 V
3.47 A
17.3 V
60 Wp
36

(5)

expression is obtained by solving a system of

equations, derived from (4), where on one hand, the
current and voltage are replaced by their values at the
maximum power point, and on the other hand, the
current is replaced by the short-circuit value and the
voltage by the open-circuit value.
is the saturation current of the diode, and strongly
related to temperature [10]. It is given by equation
(6):
=

3
.

(6)

Where = 1.38 1023 / is the

Boltzmann constant, the cell temperature in

Kelvin, n is the ideality factor of the diode and
= 1.602 1019 is the electron charge.
The magnitude of the current and voltage produced
by a single cell is very low. It is important to involve
them in series and in parallel in order to have
sufficient value for our application. In our case, the
number of cells in series per module is 36 according
to the manufacturer's specifications as presented in
Table 1 below. The series combination of three rows
of six modules in parallel is the PV generator needed
for our application. If we denote by , the number
of cells in series per module, the formula (1) takes
the following form:
+
= 1 (4)

Fig. 2. Model Simulink of PV module

Model of the Boost-Converter

Boost-converter makes it possible to efficiently
convert a DC voltage from a lower level to a higher
level [12]. The relationship between the duty ratio
and the electrical parameters of the circuit are given
by:

= 1
(7)
= (1 )

(8)

The switch is an IGBT. Diode D is chose to offer

a very small recovery period with a minimum voltage
drop across it during ON period. The expressions (9)

and (10) are respectively inductor and capacitance

[13-14]. They are calculated at the boundary
operation conditions of the circuit.
=

= .

Initialization

(9)
Read P

(10)

P=P-P_old

We opted to use the SimPowerSystem blocks to

model the Boost-converter as shown in fig.3. A
Controlled Voltage Source is used to convert the
Simulink signal from PV generator to electrical
signal applied to the Boost-converter. The command
signal of the Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor
(IGBT) is obtained through a comparator with the
input of which a triangular signal is injected at a
frequency of 100 kHz and a duty ratio. This duty
ratio is supplied by a MPPT control algorithm
described later.
Iin

reads the instantaneous power delivered by the

generator.

Iou
t

Vin

Vout

Fig. 3. Model Simulink of BoostConverter

Theoretically, the maximum value of the current

generated by the PV generator is 20.82 A, and the
maximum value of the input voltage of the Boostconverter is 51.9 V. Using the formula (9) and (10),
the values of inductance and capacitance are
respectively 30 H and 470 F.
MPPT
From all control algorithms of PV systems, one of
the most used and very flexible is the Perturb and
observe (P & O) [15-16]. This is also the one we
chose to use in this project. Like the name suggests,
it is based on the perturbation of the system by
increasing or decreasing a voltage reference [17] or
by acting directly on the duty ratio of the DC-DC
converter, and the observation of the effect on the
output power for a possible correction of the duty
ratio. The algorithm we developed as seen in fig.4,
allows us to achieve two objectives:
- Firstly, through the control law, it allows the
system to operate at maximum power point by
regularly adjusting the duty cycle. Through a loop, it

D_old>D

D_new=D-D

P>0

D_new=D+D

D<DL

D_new=D-D

D_old<D

D_new=D+D

D>DH

D=DL

D=DH

Fig. 4. MPPT Algorithm

This power is then compared with a previous value

and the duty ratio is increased or decreased,
depending on the sign of the comparison.
- Secondly, the algorithm should maintain a
continuous voltage across the Boost-converter at a
nearly constant value. For this purpose, a locking
interval was made to the values of duty ratio.
Model of the Inverter
The main objective of static power inverter is to
produce an AC output waveform from a DC power
supply. But, as announced in the introduction, one of
the objectives of this work is to allow the choice of
the rotational speed of Single Phase Induction Motor
by setting frequency of the supply voltage. One
approach to implement variable frequency is to use
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) technique to control
the switch bridge the inverter. In the same order of
idea, Muntean and al., proposes a closed-loop
modified carrier-based PWM modulation technique
for a Z-source inverter, in order to maintain a desired
average DC voltage value after the boost section
[18]. The basic PWM control principle is the
Volt/Hertz ratio which must been constant and
reflects the inductance properties of the motor
windings.
To implement the / = , two variables have to be
adjusted, and as in the following formula:

= =
(11)

In this equation, m is the amplitude modulation index

and = / , where is the input voltage of
inverter [19]. is the angle of phase voltage
vector's rotation increment, which is modified during
each PWM underflow interruption.
The inverter proposed is an IGBT based single
phase sinusoidal pulse width modulated voltage
source inverter. As previously, we use
SimPowerSystem blocks to model the inverter. Fig. 5
presents Simulink model for the inverter and fig. 6
presents circuit of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM).
The voltage amplitude and the effective frequency of
the power supply are obtained by modulating the
duty ratio of a pulse train as shown in fig. 6.

magnetic field rotates. It is the motors theoretical

speed if there was no load on the shaft and friction in
the bearings. The two factors affecting synchronous
speed are the frequency of the electrical supply and
the number of magnetic poles in the stator. The
synchronous speed is given by
=

120

(12)

Where is the system frequency and is the number

of poles. The rotor speed of an Induction machine is
different from the speed of Rotating magnetic field.
The percent difference of the speed is called slip as
shown in equation (13).

=
(13)

According to equation (12), they are only two ways

in which the speed can be varied: by changing the
electrical frequency (f) and by changing the number
of poles (P) on the machine. On this paper the first
method is more appropriate because the number of
poles is fixed by design. For this application the
features of the single phase we use are: 230 V/ 50
Hz/ 2.8 A/ 2820 rpm. The number of poles is two.
Fig. 5. Circuit of Inverter

Fig. 6. PWM circuit

To reduce the harmonic content in the output voltage

of the inverter, a filter is required. The fundamental
frequency that is required is 50 Hertz. The dimension
of the LC filter calculated is (1, 350 ) .
In the implementation, the frequency variation
can be operated by a microcontroller which receives
a reference frequency through a keyboard.
Model of the motor and the pump
Single Phase induction motor
In an induction motor, power is supplied to the
rotor by means of electromagnetic induction. If a
single phase voltage is applied to the stator, current
will start flowing. This current produces a magnetic
field, which will rotate in a counter clock wise
direction [20]. Synchronous speed and rated speed
are two speed terms used in electric machine.
Synchronous speed is the speed at which a motors

Centrifugal Pump
The centrifugal pump model can be described by
the well-known mechanical characteristic illustrated
in relation (14):
= 2 1 2 2
(14)
Every pump is characterized by its absorptive power
which is obviously a mechanical power on the shaft
coupled to the pump, which is given by (15).

=
(15)

Where is water density, is gravity acceleration.

Useful power: power consumed of the absorptive
power is given by:
=
(16)
For this application the features of the single phase
we use are:
- Maximum Flow: 80 l/min
- Maximum Head: 22 m
- Maximum Head Suction: 7 m
- Maximum Pressure: 6 bar
The pumping operation is achieved by the centrifugal
pump which needs to be coupled to a rotor. Hence a
single phase induction motor is used which helps to
transfer the power from the inverter to the centrifugal
pump via the conversion of electrical energy into
mechanical energy. The rotational velocity output of
the single phase induction motor is connected to an

angular velocity source that actuates the driveline

axis with velocity specified by the incoming
Simulink signal in rpm. This angular velocity source
is connected on the other side to the rotational
coupling that represents the rigid coupling between
the driveline shaft and the Simscape mechanical
rotational shaft. It exchanges rotational kinetic
energy between the driveline and the Simscape
without any loss. The rotational coupling is
connected to the mechanical rotational conserving
port associated with the pump driving shaft.

The hydraulic conserving port inlet is connected to a

reservoir which represents the well, while the outlet
is connected to the constant head tank that stores
water under constant pressure.
Full system
Fig. 8 presents the full model of the system we
made. The simulation of the model is operated with
ode23t solver and variable step size in
MATLAB/Simulink. PowerGui was necessary for
the electrical blocks.

Fig. 7. Motor-Pump Simulink model

Fig. 8. Full model

25

Boost-converter output voltage during the ON time

of the switch. If the duty ratio is less than 0.79, its
obtained at the Boost-converter output, voltage
average less than 220 V which is the rate normalized
value for apply more of single phase induction
motor. If the duty ratio value is higher than 0.9, the
Boost-converter output voltage becomes very
unstable.
56
54
52
50

Voltage (V)

Results
The full model presented in fig. 8, as designed can
be used to simulate any installation of photovoltaic
pumping system using centrifugal pump. All you
need is resize the different elements of the system
with new specifications. The 3x6 serie-parallel
connection of PV modules power 60 each has
achieved the voltage generator.
Fig.9 and fig.10 show the characteristics of the
PV generator. These curves are obtained in the
standard operating conditions with the irradiation
equal to 1000 / and the temperature equal to
298.15 . The open-circuit voltage obtained at the
terminals of the generator is equal to 64.8 while the
short-circuit current is equal to 24.06 . This opencircuit voltage is equal to that obtained by Kamta and
al. [21], using the same model of PV module. This
generator is sized to supply a load of about 1000 .

46
44
42
40
38
0

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05
Time (s)

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

0.1

Fig. 11. PV Generator Output Voltage

1000

X: 0
Y: 24.06

800

Voltage (V)

20

Current (A)

48

15

10

600

400

200

5
X: 64.8
Y: 0

0
0

10

20

30
40
Voltage (V)

50

60

0
0

70

PV- Power Characteristic

X: 48
Y: 1105

1000

Power (W)

800
600
400
200
0
0

10

20

30
40
Voltage (V)

50

60

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05
Time (s)

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

0.1

Fig. 12. Boost Converter Output Voltage

Fig. 9. Current-Voltage Characteristic

1200

0.01

70

After applying the Boost-converter output voltage

at the input of the inverter, an AC voltage of 231 V
magnitude as shown in fig. 13 with an index
modulation of 0.98 is obtained. The low-pass filter at
the output of the inverter permit to obtain a
sinusoidal voltage with frequency of 50 Hz according
to the nominal operating frequency of the motor used
in this work.
500

Fig. 10. Power-Voltage Characteristic

400
300
200

Voltage (V)

Figures 11 and 12 show respectively the terminal

voltage of the PV generator and the Boost-converter
output voltage. We specifically chose to assign to the
terminal voltage of the PV generator random
behavior as the behavior of the weather. This voltage
varies between a minimum value of 38.88 V and a
maximum value of 55.22 V. For the MPPT structure,
the variation of the duty ratio is done by increment /
decrement of 0.0044. The systematic lock of the duty
ratio in the range between 0.79 and 0.9, maintains the
Boost-converter output voltage at a mean value of
236.5 V. An output capacitor of 350 F dimensioned,
was necessary in order to ensure continuity of the

100
0
-100
-200
-300
-400
-500
0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5
Time (s)

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

Fig. 13. Inverter Output Voltage

In observation of this curve, we can realize a

slight gap between the extreme points of the
sinusoids. This is to certain extent understood and
must be attributed to the nature of the direct current
applied to the input of the inverter. Fig. 14 shows the

15

Torque (Nm)

5
0
-5
-10
-15
0

0.5

1.5
Times (s)

2.5

6
50 Hz

15

45 Hz

10

40 Hz

0
0

-5

5
Time (s)

10

Fig. 16. Impact of the Frequency on Pressure

-10
-15
0

Fig. 15. Electromagnetic Torque

20

Current (A)

50 Hz
45 Hz
40 Hz

10

Pressure (bar)

current drawn by the load. The observation of this

curve, shows that it is perfectly sinusoidal and its
frequency is 50 Hz. It can be seen that the voltage is
in phase with the current. At startup, the magnitude
of the maximum current drawn by the load reaches a
value of 18 A. This current is about 6 times the rate
value 2.8 2 on the nameplate of the pump used.
This result is consistent with the work of
Subramanian and al., [22] which situates this ratio
between 6 and 7. However, this starting current can
be deeply reduced by making the start with a low
value of the duty cycle of the PWM.

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5
Time (s)

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.2

Fig. 14. Current absorbed

50 Hz
45 Hz

Flow (l/s)

0.8
40 Hz
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0

5
Time (s)

10

Fig. 17. : Impact of the Frequency on the Flow

6

0.8

5.5
5

Pressure (bar)

Figures 15, 16 and 17 respectively show the

influence of the variation of the frequency on the
electromagnetic torque, the pressure and the flow
rate. The three curves on each of these figures are
respectively obtained at frequencies of 50 Hz, 45
and 40 . The indexes modulations corresponding
to these respective modulation frequencies are 0.98,
0.88 and 0.78. In fig. 15, we realize that despite the
change in frequency, due to the / = , the three
curves are almost superposed. This confirms the
holding torque at a constant value that would allow
the pump to overcome load when the speed changes.
Moreover, when the motor runs at rated frequency,
the water pressure is around 5.8 for a flow of
1.08 /. Compared to the features provided by the
manufacturer which are 6 and 1.3 /, there is a
slight non-significant differences. These differences
can be attributed to consistency tolerance set in
Simulink. At 45 , the pressure drops to around
4.6 and the flow rate drop to 0.87 /. We can
also realize that when the frequency decreases, the
system takes more time to reach a steady state as well
as for pressure like for the flow.
From fig. 18, it may well be observed that, by
decreasing the speed from its nominal value it is
possible to determine the speed and pressure at which
the flow of pumped water is zero. In this case the
lowest speed to do not reach is 1530 , with a
pressure of 2.25 in the working conditions set.

0.6

Flow

4.5

Flow (l/s )

Pressure

0.4

3.5
3

0.2

2.5
2
1500

1750

2000

2250
Speed (rpm)

2500

2750

0
3000

Fig. 18. Pressure & Flow-Speed Characteristics

Conclusion
This work is a contribution on the modeling and
simulation of the photovoltaic pumping systems
using Simulink under Matlab programming
environment. We estimate that with the regards to the
results of simulation, the implementation of the
model is important to solve the problem of managing
battery storage in the rural areas. For any pumping
system application, this model permit to fix the
rotational speed of the motor, the pressure and the
flow rate necessary by the operator.

Acknowledgment
This work was supported by:
-Eugen Ionescu 2013 Program.
-Polytechnic University of Timisoara/Romania, Faculty of
Electrical and Power Engeneering (Electrical
Engeneering Department, Fundamental of Physics
for Engineers Department)
-University of Ngaoundere/ Cameroon, ENSAI, Department of Process Engineering.
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