This thesis analyzes the general performance and design requirements of photovoltaic(PV) systems, and specifically how they relate to the design of a system intended to supply power to a rotating satellite. The PV array geometry was discussed, different DC-DC converter topologies were analyzed, and optimum array geometry and converter topologies were determined. The potential reference quantities for use in control of the system are examined. Due to its comparably greater linearity with respect to changes in apparent load and its relative insensitivity to insolation changes, voltage was determined to be the best reference quantity for use in stable tracking of the maximum power operating point of photovoltaic modules. The preceding work is used to design and model a photovoltaic system for a rotating satellite ensuring the supply of the maximum available power as well as stable operation. Simulations of the system are performed at rotational velocities up to 300 rev/min and its behavior is analyzed to demonstrate the validity of the preceding work. It was concluded that: ● parallel connected photovoltaic panels provide greater efficiency than series connected panels. ● Buck, Boost, and Cuk Converter architectures are best suited to PV applications ● PV Voltage is the best reference quantity for use in stable control of PV systems.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references.

Tools and algorithms are proposed that are useful for planning, designing, and operating a distribution network with a significant penetration of distributed generation (DG). In Task 1, a PV system simulation program is developed, which incorporates the most rigorous models for the calculation of insolation, module temperature, and DC and AC power output of a PV system. The effect of random inverter failures is incorporated in the model of a PV system, and a novel performance-derating coefficient is introduced. Furthermore, a novel inverter control algorithm is presented for systems with multiple inverters. The algorithm is designed to increase overall DC/AC conversion efficiency by selectively shutting down some of the inverters during periods of low insolation, thus forcing the remaining inverters to operate at higher efficiency. In Task 2, a procedure is developed to incorporate the uncertainties imposed by stochastic, renewable DG into the conventional tools for analysis of distribution systems. A clustering algorithm is proposed to reduce large input data sets that result from the interaction of stochastic processes that drive DG output with field measurements of feeder load profiles. In addition, a procedure is proposed to determine the boundary points of the original data set, which yield feeder extreme operating conditions. Finally, a Monte Carlo analysis using a reduced data set is presented, to determine the effects of deploying a large number of renewable DG systems on a distribution feeder. In Task 3, the reliability model of an asymmetric, three--phase, non-radial distribution feeder equipped with capacity-constrained DGs is developed and used to quantify the potential reliability improvements due to the intentional islanded operation of parts of the feeder. A procedure for finding optimal positions for DG and protection devices is presented using a custom-tailored adaptive genetic algorithm.

Thesis (Ph.D.)-- University of Gothenburg, 2008. / "PV-ESCO Project"--Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 89-103).

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität, Trier, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 163-167). Also available via Humboldt Digital Scholar.

Thesis (MScIng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates methods to extract the maximum amount of electrical energy from a py panel. The thesis is divided into four parts, focussing on different aspects relating to this topic. The first part will investigate the role that py energy is likely to play in South Africa's future energy scenario, by looking at topics like the greenhouse effect and the economics of energy production. Secondly the thesis will look at how to position py panels optimally for maximum energy generation through the year. A software model of a py panel is developed which can calculate available py energy and energy generation costs for a given location, based on parameters like the positioning of the py panel and historic weather data. Thirdly the optimal design of a maximum power point tracker is investigated. The optimal design, based on a k-sweep voltage ratio maximum power point tracking algorithm, is implemented using a DSP controlled boost converter circuit. Finally, the best methods to store energy generated using py panels are explored. Energy storage technologies are compared for rural, off-grid applications in South Africa, and the design and implementation of a pulse-charging lead-acid battery charging strategy is explained. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek maniere waarop die maksimum hoeveelheid elektriese energie vanuit 'n py paneelonttrek kan word. Die tesis word in vier dele verdeel, wat elkeen fokus op 'n ander aspek van die onderwerp. Die eerste kyk na die rol wat PV energie potensieël kan speel in die toekomstige energie produksie binne Suid Afrika, deur te kyk na onderwerpe soos die kweekhuis effek, en die ekonomiese sy van energie produksie. Tweedens kyk die tesis na metodes om 'n py paneeloptimaal te posisioneer vir maksimum energie deur die jaar. 'n Sagteware model van 'n PV paneel word ontwikkel wat die hoeveelheid beskikbare energie, en die kostes daarvan, kan bereken vir 'n spesifieke plek, gebaseer op PV paneel data en vorige jare se atmosferiese data. Derdens word agtergrond oor maksimum drywingspunt volgers gegee, en die ontwerp en bou van 'n k-variërende, spannings verhouding maksimum kragpunt volger verduidelik, geimplimenteer deur van 'n DSP en 'n opkapper baan gebruik te maak. Laastens word die beste maniere om PV energie te stoor, vir landelike toepassings weg vanaf die Eskom netwerk, ondersoek. Alle beskikbare tegnologieë word eers vergelyk met mekaar, waarna die ontwerp en bou van 'n puls-laai loodsuur batterylaaier verduidelik word.

Os sistemas fotovoltaicos tem se caracterizado como uma das principais fontes de geração de energia elétrica em áreas remotas. Nesse contexto, destaca-se a utilização dessa fonte de energia na eletrificação rural, cujo principal objetivo é tornar possível o atendimento de pequenas propriedades, geralmente distantes dos grandes centros de consumo. Grande parte dos programas de eletrificação rural implantados no mundo não alcançou níveis de sustentabilidade adequados por considerarem mais os fatores de natureza técnica e menos os fatores socioeconômicos. Nesse contexto, este trabalho propõe desenvolver um método para avaliar o nível de sustentabilidade de programas de eletrificação rural com sistemas fotovoltaicos individuais, considerando fatores qualitativos. A metodologia consiste na identificação dos aspectos que contribuem para a sustentabilidade do programa; as boas práticas e as oportunidades de melhoria dos programas implantados no mundo. A partir disso, foram identificadas três dimensões de sustentabilidade, dimensão 1 - Política, orçamento e origem do recurso; dimensão 2 – Características dos sistemas fotovoltaicos e dimensão 3 – Gestão do programa, que deram origem a 33 questões referentes à sustentabilidade dos programas. Desenvolveu-se um modelo matemático para avaliar a sustentabilidade dos programas de eletrificação rural baseado na utilização de especialistas para avaliar as 33 questões elaboradas, por meio do uso de lógica fuzzy (variáveis linguísticas), com adaptação do método fuzzy TOPSIS para o tratamento das informações. A análise dos resultados das questões da dimensão 1 revelam que os conceitos estabelecidos por cada especialista não tiveram alterações significativas. Para as questões da dimensão 2, percebe-se uma maior disparidade nas opiniões. Já nas questões da dimensão 3, ambos os especialistas avaliaram as questões de forma uniforme, com alto nível de importância. O modelo matemático empregado determinou as distâncias entre as respostas avaliadas como as mais apropriadas pelos especialistas (solução ideal) e as respostas fornecidas pelos usuários do método proposto. O resultado da análise indicou a distância máxima 6,635 e mínima 2,874 das alternativas para a dimensão 1. Para dimensão 2, o valor máximo foi de 4,367 e mínimo de1,722; e para a dimensão 3, máxima 7,646 e mínima 1,965. O método proposto neste trabalho foi aplicado para o programa de eletrificação rural existente no Timor-Leste, obtendo-se os índices de sustentabilidade de 45,73 para dimensão 1, 33,19 para a dimensão 2, 39,50 para a dimensão 3 e 39,14 para o índice de sustentabilidade global. / Photovoltaic systems have been characterized as a major source of power generation in remote areas. In this context, the use of this energy source, whose main aim is to provide electricity to small properties, that often are far from large centers of consumption has significantly increased in rural areas. Most of the rural electrification programs implemented in the world have not achieved adequate levels of sustainability mainly because they considered only technical aspects and focused less on socioeconomic factors that also affect the level of sustainability. In this context, this paper proposes to develop a method to assess the level of sustainability of rural electrification programs with a single photovoltaic system, considering qualitative factors. The indicators of assessment that contributed to the rural electrification program were realized by means of the fuzzy TOPSIS analysis tool. The methodology consists of identifying the aspects that contribute to the sustainability of the program, the best practices, and opportunities of improvement of the program to be implemented worldwide. From this, three dimensions identified, Dimension 1 - Policy, Budget and origin of feature, 2 - Characteristics of PV systems and 3 - Program Management, which together result in 33 questions of a sustainable program. The mathematical model has been used to assess the sustainability of a rural electrification program based on expert judgment on 33 questions developed through the use of fuzzy logic (linguistics variable), with the adaptation of fuzzy TOPSIS method for processing information data. The results of the analysis of the questions related to Dimension 1 reveals that the criteria established by each expert showed no significant change. For the second dimension, a greater disparity in opinions can be seen. Finally, for the third dimension, both experts had similar opinions, with level of significance ranging. The mathematical method was employed to determine the distance between the responses evaluated as the most appropriate by experts (ideal solution) and the answers provided by users of the proposed method. The result of the analysis indicated the maximum 6,635 and minimum 2,874 distances of the alternatives to dimension 1. For the second dimension, the maximum value was 4,367 and the minimum was 1,722, and for the third dimension, the maximum was 7,646 and minimum 1,965. The method proposed in this paper was applied to the existing rural electrification program in Timor-Leste, and show the sustainability index obtaining for each dimension: 45,73 for dimension 1, 33,19 for dimension 2,39,50 for dimension 3 and 39,14 for global index of sustainability.

Esta pesquisa apresenta um estudo comparativo de inversores monofásicos conectados à rede (sem transformador de acoplamento), empregando geradores fotovoltaicos. Inicialmente é destacada a crescente demanda mundial por energia elétrica e o crescimento da utilização de geração através de fontes renováveis, impulsionando o desenvolvimento dessas tecnologias. Também é apresentado um resumo sobre a geração de energia elétrica fotovoltaica descentralizada, incluindo os principais tipos de sistemas e a sua conexão à rede de distribuição da concessionária. Em busca da redução do custo da energia elétrica produzida com geradores fotovoltaicos, a eliminação do transformador de baixa frequência que conecta o inversor à rede, foi apresentada como uma alternativa interessante. Porém associada à conexão direta do inversor podem surgir correntes de fuga devido à existência de capacitâncias parasitas entre as células fotovoltaicas do painel e o potencial de terra do sistema gerador-rede. Para evitar esses problemas várias modificações no circuito eletrônico dos inversores têm sido propostas visando eliminar variações na tensão de modo comum destes. Esse trabalho busca avaliar algumas destas topologias visando definir parâmetros de desempenho que possam servir como base para a escolha de uma topologia em detrimento as demais para um conjunto de especificações tais como a potência instalada do gerador ou a amplitude da tensão da rede, dentre outros. / This research presents a comparative study of single-phase transformerless grid connected inverters, employing photovoltaic generators. Initially is highlighted the increasing worldwide demand for electricity and the growth of the use of renewable sources, driving the development of these technologies. It is also presented an overview of the photovoltaic decentralized power generation, including the major types of systems and their connection to the utility grid. In order to reduce the electricity cost of photovoltaic generation, the elimination of low frequency transformer that connects the inverter to the grid, was presented as an interesting alternative. But associated with the direct inverter connection, leakage currents may arise due to the existence of parasitic capacitances between the panel photovoltaic cell and the system ground. To avoid these problems, several modifications in the electronic circuit of the inverter have been proposed to eliminate variations in the inverter common mode voltage. This research evaluates some of these topologies in order to define performance parameters that can serve as the basis for choosing a topology over the other for a set of specifications such as the installed power or the amplitude of grid voltage, among others.

A presente dissertação descreve o experimento desenvolvido com a finalidade de avaliar um sistema de bombeamento de água acionado por dois painéis fotovoltaicos instalado nas dependências da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná – UTFPR, Câmpus Medianeira, estado do Paraná, Brasil. O município está localizado no oeste paranaense com 25º17’43” Latitude sul, 54º03’38” Longitude oeste e com altitude de 500,7 metros. O sistema trabalhou em situação real de funcionamento, bombeando água a uma altura de 20 metros. Foram coletados dados de fevereiro de 2005 a novembro de 2005; utilizou-se um coletor de dados computadorizado da marca Campbell Scientific INC., o que possibilitou adquirir e armazenar os valores de irradiância no plano do painel, tensão e corrente gerada, temperatura no painel, pressão e vazão. A leitura dos dados foi realizada com freqüência de 1 hertz e armazenada a cada 1 minuto. Através de cálculos obtiveram-se os valores de potência e eficiência do sistema e a potência hidráulica. O solstício de inverno apresentou eficiência de 9,58% com bombeamento diário de 2.056,44 litros, enquanto que o solstício de verão apresentou eficiência de 9,07% com bombeamento diário de 2.377,21 litros. A maior eficiência nos dias de inverno está atrelada às menores temperaturas nestes dias se comparado aos dias de verão e o fator que provocou uma maior vazão de água bombeada nos dias de verão está ligado ao tempo de insolação solar que é maior se comparado aos dias de inverno. O total de água bombeada durante o período do experimento foi de 435.042,20 litros. / The current dissertation describes an experiment to evaluate a water pumping system activated by two photovoltaic panels installed at The Federal Technological University of Paraná – UTFPR, Medianeira Campus, in the State of Paraná, Brazil. The city of Medianeira’s latitude and longitude are 25º17’43”south and 54º03’38”west respectively, with an altitude of 500.7 meters (1,642.72 feet). The system operated in a real working situation, pumping water to a 20 meters (65.62 feet) elevation. Data were collected, from February 2005 to November 2005, by means of a computerized data collector made by Campbell Scientific Inc that made possible collecting and applying irradiance values in the panel plane, generated current and tension, panel temperature, pressure and consume. Data readings were made at a 1-hertz frequency and stored every minute. Through calculi, the system efficiency and energy values and hydraulic strength were obtained. Winter solstice showed 9.58% efficiency with daily pumping of 2,056.44 liters (543.14 gallons) whereas summer solstice confirmed 9.07% efficiency with daily pumping of 2,377.21 liters (627.86 gallons). Winter day’s highest efficiency is associated to the lowest temperature in those days compared to summer days, and the factor that prompted larger pumped water consume, during summer days, was related to solar insulation time that is longer if compared to winter days. Total water pumped during the experiment period was 435,042.20 liters (114,900.99 Gallons)