Solar power optimizer for PV energy harvesting

• Main Author: Lin, Zhiren
• Other Authors: Choo, Fook Hoong
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering::Electric power::Production, transmission and distribution
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/61479
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Solar power – a conversion of light from the sun into energy – is one of the most commonly used sources of renewable energy is beneficial in a number of ways, since it offers the opportunity to harvest electricity with minimal impact on the environment. However, the methods commonly used to harness solar energy have been found to be inefficient because of high levels of dissipation. As such, this project was premised upon the need to implement a system that would improve efficiency in the generation of solar energy. It was guided by two objectives: to implement a solar panel optimizer on ordinary solar panel in order to maximize the harvesting of power; and to connect two or more independent solar panels with individual optimizers in series to compensate those with shaded condition. In order to attain these objectives, the project involved building and configuring micro DCDC controller intended for harvesting solar energy directly from a solar module. This was attained by connecting multiple DC-DC controllers in series so as to generate a supply of voltage that can be injected into an inverter. The convertors are controlled a micro-controller, which is able to communicate with other modules in the string. The system includes a Maximum Power Point Tracking algorithm that is programmed into each micro-controller to aid in extracting maximum power. In this project, the optimizers were tested on a DC power supply to represent the solar panel. Some of the recommendations made based on the limitations and results of the project include the following: using a voltage regulator that can accept a even low voltage, using a direct current converter that is manipulated by PWM to be able to provide a more accurate DC-DC converter output voltage, and building all the circuit in one PCB to reduce the circuit power consumption. All in all, this project has proposed and implemented a MPPT method that needs only the measurements of current and voltage. The method is a modification of the Perturb and Observe method, and it works by trailing and determining the maximum power and then using the values to take over the extracted power directly from the photovoltaic. This system enhances efficiency as it facilitates the harvesting of maximum quantity of power that a solar panel can produce.