A photovoltaic powered separately excited DC motor drive for rural/desert pump irrigation

The authors present a photovoltaic powered pump drive scheme comprising a separately excited DC motor and DC/DC converter. The control strategy ensures maximum solar energy utilization and effective load control. Economic sizes from 1 kW-30 kW can be utilized. With the advent of separately excited DC motors it is advantageous to utilize solid state converter DC chopper. The authors present the full unified model development and control strategy for maximizing solar energy utilization and ensuring maximum kWh energy used by the pump load. The proposed scheme can be utilized in spray irrigation and greenhouse water supply management. In addition the authors present the digital simulation model development, component sizing, PV array switching and tracking controller to ensure online maximum solar energy utilization. Laboratory testing of the drive scheme is also included