Design of a linear energy charge controller for solar systems

• Main Author: Wang, Han Loon
• Other Authors: So Ping Lam
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering::Electronic circuits
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/42517
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The worldwide concern about the environment has led to increasing interest in technologies for generation of renewable electrical energy. This growing awareness has necessitated a reassessment for electric power researchers around the world to seek other forms of sustainable and reliable energy sources. Due to scarcity of land and resources, the most promising form of renewable energy for Singapore infrastructure will be solar. This report introduces the concepts behind the design of a linear solar charge controller. In the report, solar energy conversion, energy storage, charge regulation and load dump control will be discussed. Although solar insolation is of intermittent nature, but because an energy storage function is incorporated into the system, the negative effects of intermittency would be minimal. Photovoltaic solar panels help to convert solar insolation into direct current electricity and the energy generated are stored into battery bank. The energy can be used to support load leveling during day time and increase power reliability during power interruptions. Both the photovoltaic system and battery bank have to be properly sized to ensure reliability and economic costs of the system. A low-cost linear charge controller with load dump function is embedded into the system. The controller protects the battery from getting excessively discharged and dropping the load off when the battery value dips beyond a threshold reference. Another role of the controller is to facilitate the correct and safe charging of battery bank and prevent overcharging at times of strong sun. The conceptual designs and computer simulations are achieved and evaluated using PowerSIM software application in modeling the main control section and a hardware circuitry has been constructed for actual implementation.