Dynamically Reconfigurable Photovoltaic Energy Harvesting System
Photovoltaic (PV) energy harvesting systems are used to power machines and are well known for providing a sufficiently large amount of energy to recharge replenished batteries and house old appliances. Yet an advanced version of itself the dynamically reconfigurable Photovoltaic (PV) energy harvesti
2025-06-28 16:32:14 - Adil Khan
Dynamically Reconfigurable Photovoltaic Energy Harvesting System
Project Area of Specialization Wearables and ImplantableProject SummaryPhotovoltaic (PV) energy harvesting systems are used to power machines and are well known for providing a sufficiently large amount of energy to recharge replenished batteries and house old appliances. Yet an advanced version of itself the dynamically reconfigurable Photovoltaic (PV) energy harvesting system is an improved system which focuses on the maximum output power yield, in case of the degrading factors such as temperature fluctuations or the non-uniformity of solar radiations on the panels which can greatly limit the efficiency of the system in the form of power degradation. This may lead to poor utilization of the photovoltaic (PV) energy system.
The main idea of the project is to identify such defying areas of the system contributing to minimum power output and dynamically reconfigure the connected photovoltaic (PV) arrays to give the maximum output power yield. In this project we propose to improve the overall efficiency and the power output of the photovoltaic (PV) system. The reconfiguration of the PV array will be based on an algorithm which will be capable of identifying the limiting parts of the systems, which will be removed from the system with the help of a control circuit consisting of switches. This reconfiguration technique will allow us to improve the overall efficiency of the system as compared to a conventional fixed PV system. The PV cells will be connected in such a manner that we would be able to use switching techniques to manage and reconfigure the system by detaching the defected parts of the PV array to maximize utilization of the system which can deteriorate if not managed properly. The power output of each PV cell will be accessed repeatedly at periodic instances of time and the system will dynamically reconfigure itself keeping the overall output power to its maximum capacity.
Project ObjectivesMain objectives of this project are as follows:
- Design and simulation of a 2x2 Reconfigurable PV Cell Array
- Maximum Power Point Tracking for Reconfigurable PV Cell Array
- Algorithm for Dynamic Reconfiguration of PV Cell Array
- Hardware implementation of a Reconfigurable PV Cell Array
In addition to the primary objectives we have some extended objective as well
- Identification of faults in PV Cell Array
Firstly, we will design a 2x2 PV cell array configuration and simulate its working in Matlab/Simulink. Each array consists of PV cells that will be connected in series and PV cell arrays will be connected in parallel with each other. The current and voltage produced by the cells will be measured by current and voltage sensors and the data will be passed into the microcontroller. Based on the data, algorithm in the microcontroller will calculate the MPP of each PV cell and will save it for record. At the run time algorithm will constantly calculate the MPP of each cell, and the MPP of the cell if falls below a certain level that cell will be bypassed from the configuration. This reconfiguration will be done on the concepts of switch network architecture . Figure 2.2 shows the model of dynamically reconfigured PV cell array system.
Figure 2.2.Model of dynamically reconfigured PV cell array system
The data fed into the microcontroller from current and voltage sensors is used for MPPs comparison of each PV cell. As shown in Figure 2.2 microcontroller sends signal to the switch network to reconfigure PV cells as a result of shade on cell or a fault. Switch network receives this signal and reconfigures the network of PV cells. A battery will be connected battery with the system. Any electric driven device can be connected as load.
Benefits of the ProjectAs obvious from the name, it is dynamically reconfigurable,so whenever there will be shade on any PV pannel ,configuration of pannels will be changed to 2x2, 1x4 or 4x1 and the maximum output voltage will be obtained.
Technical Details of Final DeliverableFour PV pannels will be connected through a switching network of 13 solid state switches. ACS712 current sensor will be connected in series and voltage divider will be connected in parallel with each PV pannel. Values of current and voltage sensors will be fed into arduino mega 2560. On the basis of reference values, microcontroller will decide which configuration to choose from the three configurations i.e. 2x2 , 1x4 and 4x1. Perturb and Observe maximum power point tracing algorithm will operate the system at maxmium power.
Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemType of Industry Energy Technologies OthersSustainable Development Goals Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureRequired Resources| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 56030 | |||
| Solar Panels | Equipment | 4 | 1500 | 6000 |
| DC Supply | Equipment | 1 | 6580 | 6580 |
| Solid State Switches | Equipment | 15 | 700 | 10500 |
| LEM Current Sensors | Equipment | 4 | 800 | 3200 |
| ACS 712 | Equipment | 4 | 250 | 1000 |
| Arduino Mega | Equipment | 1 | 1250 | 1250 |
| Capacitors | Equipment | 10 | 100 | 1000 |
| Arduino Uno | Equipment | 1 | 630 | 630 |
| DC Battery | Equipment | 3 | 750 | 2250 |
| Solar Stand | Equipment | 2 | 550 | 1100 |
| Clamp Meter | Equipment | 1 | 2600 | 2600 |
| Transistors | Equipment | 15 | 50 | 750 |
| Wires | Equipment | 4 | 80 | 320 |
| Vero Board | Equipment | 3 | 60 | 180 |
| Bread Board | Equipment | 3 | 120 | 360 |
| Solder Wire | Equipment | 2 | 100 | 200 |
| Solder Iron | Equipment | 1 | 500 | 500 |
| Solder Stand | Equipment | 1 | 350 | 350 |
| Battery Charger | Equipment | 2 | 350 | 700 |
| Resistors | Equipment | 8 | 70 | 560 |
| Potentiometer | Equipment | 4 | 200 | 800 |
| LCD | Equipment | 1 | 1600 | 1600 |
| Wooden Board | Equipment | 1 | 500 | 500 |
| DC Motor | Equipment | 1 | 300 | 300 |
| BJT's | Equipment | 20 | 25 | 500 |
| Testing Load | Equipment | 4 | 200 | 800 |
| Report Printing 1 | Miscellaneous | 1 | 600 | 600 |
| Report Printing 2 | Miscellaneous | 1 | 900 | 900 |
| Report Printing 3 | Miscellaneous | 1 | 500 | 500 |
| Stationary | Miscellaneous | 1 | 500 | 500 |
| Drill Machine(on rent) | Equipment | 1 | 2000 | 2000 |
| Petrol Overhead | Miscellaneous | 7 | 1000 | 7000 |