Dimensioning a domestic solar installation with a DC/DC buck converter

Mohammed Yanouri

University of North Texas

Mechanical and Energy Engineering

Yanouri.med@gmail.com

Abstract. This paper presents the results concerning the design of a photovoltaic system (PV) for a
domestic installation with a medium energy consumption of 38.98 KWH, equipped with a DC/DC buck
converter.

1.Introduction

The renewable energy revolution is put forward as a solution to our problems of electrical energy

production; one such renewable energy source is via photovoltaic (PV) technology, based on the

conversion of sunlight into electricity using PV cells. Currently, much research is being carried out

on cells (or panels) and on PV systems that exploit this energy. Concerning PV systems, the

difficulties are the optimization of the power provided by PV panels, its transfer to the load (in our

case Battery), good control of charge/discharge lead acid batteries and solar tracking PV panels.

The discrete blocks of regulation and control suggested are not reliable and induce power losses

provided by PV panels, divergence of PV system , poor control of the charge/discharge

batteries and the collecting of illumination. In the majority of PV systems, the major problem

is the loss of power supplied by the PV panels because of inaccurate desired maximum power point

(MPP).

2. Photovoltaic System Design

2.1. Synoptic Diagram of the System

A PV cell is formed by the current generator ICC (short-circuit current), the diode (D), the shunt

resistance (RSh), and series resistance (RS). The current of the diode depends on the technological

parameters and of the temperature (T) according to the expression:

Where:

VD: voltage at diode terminals,

IS (T): saturation current,

q: charge of the free electron,

KB: Boltzmann constant.

Icel

Icc=A*Le+B A, B are constants

Id=Is*(Exp (Vcel/Ut) 1)
Dans le cas de Rsh trs grande et Rs faible on aura :

Icel= Icc - Id

PV generator:

Generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity using
semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic power generation employs solar
panels composed of a number of solar cells containing a photovoltaic material.

Regulator:

Limits the rate at which electric current is added to or drawn from electric batteries.[1] It prevents
overcharging and may protect against overvoltage, which can reduce battery performance or lifespan,
and may pose a safety risk. It may also prevent completely draining ("deep discharging") a battery, or
perform controlled discharges.

Batteries:

A battery converts energy stored in the chemical bonds of a material into electrical energy via a set or
oxidation/reduction.

Converter DC/DC:

A power optimizer is a DC to DC converter technology developed to maximize the energy harvest from
solar photovoltaic or wind turbine systems. They do this by individually tuning the performance of the
panel or wind turbine through maximum power point tracking, and optionally tuning the output to
match the performance of the string inverter. Power optimizers are especially useful when the
performance of the power generating components in a distributed system will vary widely, differences in
equipment, shading of light or wind, or being installed facing different directions or widely separated
locations. The DC/DC converter can be manipulated by varying the duty cycle D

Optimisation of PV energy:

Power regulation:

Optimised installation:

DC/DC converter: type Buck

The voltage output Vs and Vpv are related by:

Vs=Vpv * D

Is=Ipv/D

Dopt=(Rs/Ropt)1/2
How much electricity does an American home use?

In 2012, the average annual electricity consumption for a U.S. residential utility customer was 10,837
kWh, an average of 903 kilowatthours (kWh) per month. Louisiana had the highest annual consumption at 15,046
kWh and Maine the lowest at 6,367 kWh.

State Number of Average monthly Average price Average monthly

customer consumption(KWh) bill (Dollar and
cents)
Texas 9,802,110 1,168 10.98 128.27

http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=97&t=3
Average daily consumption for a Texas residential customer:
Average daily consumption= 1,168KWh/30day= 38.94 KWh/day

W= 38.94 KWh/day

Daylight for Dallas city:

High Low Avg

Tx Forth worth 6 4.8 5.43

So the maximum daylight for Dallas city is: Hmax= 6 hours/day

Dimensioning the batteries:

Assuming three days of autonomy: Dstock= 3days

The efficiency of the batteries varies between 80% and 90%.

bat= 80% to 90%

Discharge efficiency at 50%: discharge=50%

Cacc(Ah)=[(W/inv)* Dstock]/[Vacc*ba*discharge]

Assuming a DC/AC inverter of a 0.9 efficiency, inv=0.9

Vacc=12V

3
Cacc(Ah)=[(38.94*10 /0.9)*3]/(12*0.85*0.5)= 25,450.98 (Ah)

25,455(Ah)/150(Ah)= 170 Batteries

Wpanels=(W/ inv)/( bat*regulator)

W= 38.94 KWh/day

inv=0.9

bat=0.85

regulator=0.95

Wpanels=(38.94*10^3/0.9)/(0.85*0.95)=53.58 KWh

Pcrete=Wpanels/Hmax= 53.58 KWh/6 h= 8.975 KW= 8975 W

Using solar panels of 200W each:

8975W/200W= 44.875= 45 solar panels

3. Dimensionning the DC/DC converter:

Operation of DC/DC converter depends on time t.

At 0<t<DT:
K: closed (VDS)
D: blocked VL=Vpv-Vs
The inductance L charges: VL=L*diL/dt= Vpv-Vs (diL/dt>0 : L is charging)

so: Vpv Vs > 0 => Vpv > Vs (Buck)

iL(t)=[( Vpv Vs)/L]*t + constant

iL(t)= Imin=constant => iL(t)= [( Vpv Vs)/L]*t + Imin
At DT<t<T:
K: blocked
L: discharge and force the diode D to drive
VD = 0 V
VL+VD+VS=0 => VL=- VS
VL= L*diL/dt= - Vs

iL(t)= (-Vs/L)*t+constant

iL(t)= (-Vs/L)* DT+constant=Imax

constant= Imax + (Vs/L)* DT
iL(t)= (-Vs/L)* (t-DT)+ Imax
At 0<t<DT:
At 0<t<DT: iL(t)= [( Vpv Vs)/L]*t + Imin
At DT<t<T: iL(t)= (-Vs/L)* (t-DT)+ Imax
 At 0<t<DT: VL= Vpv Vs
At DT<t<T: VL= Vs

At 0<t<DT: iL(t)= [( Vpv Vs)/L]*t + Imin

At DT<t<T: iL(t)= (-Vs/L)* (t-DT)+ Imax

iL= Imax- Imin

At 0<t<DT: iL(t)= [( Vpv Vs)/L]*t + Imin

iL(DT)= [( Vpv Vs)/L]*DT + Imin = Imax

iL = Imax- Imin = [( Vpv Vs)/L*DT
Vs=f(Vpv) :
1 1 1
<VL>=0= () 0 VL(t)dt = () [0 VL(t)dt + () VL(t)dt]
1 1
= () [0 (Vpv Vs) t dt + () Vs dt]
1
=() [(Vpv Vs) Vs(T DT)]

Is=f(Ipv):
Vpv Ipv= Vs Is
Vpv Ipv = Vpv D Is
Ipv
Is = D

D optimum:
Vopt
Rpv = Ropt = Iopt

Vs
Vopt = Dopt

Iopt = Is Dopt
Vs
Vopt Dopt Vs 1 1
=Ropt= (IsDopt)
= Is (Dopt)2 = Rs*(Dopt)2
Iopt

Dopt 2= Rs/Ropt => Dopt= (Rs/Ropt)2 ( Rs should be inferior than Ropt)

 Fig: Evolution of the normalized output voltages with the normalized output current.

> 0 => >

(X0 in the order of 0.13)
Determing Cs :
At 0<t<DT: ic(t)=iL(t)-is(t)
(Vpv Vs)
ic(t)= t is
L

(Vpv Vs) 2
Vs(t) = Vs(0) +
2LC

= (0) 2 2
8
Vs (VpvDT)
At DT<t<T: ic(t)= t+ is
L L
( Vs) 2 + (VpvDT)
Vs(t) = Vs1 +
2LC LC
(VpvVs)(1)
1 = 1 + 8

Vs0=Vs1
()
Cs=

Determing Ce :
At 0<t<DT: iL = Imoy +iLond
Ipv = iL + ice
= Lond

dVpvond
ice = Ce = iLond
dt

=

2
1 2
=
1 1
Vpvond=1/Ce[ +

]
224 224

Vpvond=1/Ce[]
24
( )2
=
8
<

( )
>

Choose Ce the maximum possible to stabilize the voltage input.
Conclusion :
This Technical paper examined small scale domestic solar PV systems installation.
A description of the components which constitute a solar PV generating source, namely
solar panels has been given. A brief overview was also presented on solar PV cell
technology and construction along with inverter technology.
In the US Many localities require a license to install a photovoltaic system. A grid-tied
system normally requires a licensed electrician to make the connection between the system
and the grid-connected wiring of the building. Installers who meet these qualifications are
located in almost every state.
The study conducted in this paper and the results can be applied for any Texas domestic
installation
Refernces:
www.mdpi.com/journal/electronics
Photovoltaic System Equipped with Digital Command Control and Acquisition
ISSN 2079-9292
Electronics 2013, 2, 192-211; doi:10.3390/electronics2030192

http://www.atpsnet.org/Files/rps27.pdf
Design and Analysis of a 1MW Grid-Connected Solar PV System in Ghana
RESEARCH PAPER No. 27

http://www.fp7.org.tr/tubitak_content_files/270/ETP/PV/6EP_2_2_22EUPVSEC_PVTP_SR
A_final.pdf
A STRATEGIC RESEARCH AGENDA FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGY