Design of a DC — DC converter for a PV array

In today´s world, as non-renewable sources of energy deplete fast, there is an urgent need to switch onto alternate sources of energy. Solar energy is a widely used, popular and viable alternate source of energy. In off the grid sectors such as remote rural areas; solar energy can be used for irrigation pumps which require about 240 V ac supply, but owing to its low output power it is insufficient to drive high current loads such as pumps, motors etc. Hence we provide circuitry to amplify a low input voltage of 17.2 V, obtained from a solar panel and boost it to 325 V dc by the use of multiple boost converters in cascade to provide the required gain. Attempts are made to configure and maintain a steady DC output voltage in spite of variation of solar voltage or any load changes by the use of PI controller. The circuit has been simulated in MATLAB/SIMULINK and the results are shown. The method used here scores owing to its simple construction, working and is efficient too.