Matching of photovolatic motor-pump systems for maximum efficiency operation

A PV array is a nonlinear d.c. source and its operation has to be carefully matched to that of its equivalent electrical load in order to extract the maximum available energy. Two PV pumping schemes are investigated to get the maximum gross mechanical power. The system based on the separately-excited d.c. motor is matched through the control of the motor excitation, while for the system based on the induction motor, the voltage source inverter frequency is controlled by maximum mechanical power operation.