Chaper 5

Power Conditioning
Presentation #3

Dr. Weidong Xiao

School of Electrical and Information Engineering

University of Sydney, Australia

2017
c

Photovoltaic Power System: Modelling, Design, and Control 1 / 23

Outline

1 Design procedure of PV side converter

2 PV module for case study
3 Buck-boost converter
Steady state analysis and design
Simulink model
Case study and design demonstration
Simulation result
4 Flyback converter
Steady-state analysis and design
Simulink model
Case study and design demonstration
Simulation results
5 Summary of PV side converters (PVSC)

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Design procedure of PV side converter

The PV side converter (PVSC) refers to the DC/DC power conditioning circuit
that the input is connected to the PV link.
In standalone systems, the PVSC can be used as the power interface to
charge batteries or supply power to local loads.
The common DC/DC topology used for PVSCs includes buck, boost,
buck-boost, flyback, tapped-inductor, and full bridge isolated DC/DC
converters.
It is important to choose and design the proper topology that can achieve
maximum power yield, but not increase the circuit complication.
A design procedure is recommended to design, simulate, and evaluate the
PVSC in order to meet the system specification and performance rating.
The procedure follows the sequence of topology selection, specification,
steady state analysis, design, simulation modelling, and simulation evaluation.
Simulation is considered as an effective tool and widely utilized to prove the
design concept of PVSCs and the model effectiveness.

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Design procedure of PV side converter

Photovoltaic Power System: Modelling, Design, and Control 4 / 23

PV module for case study

8
In the following study, 6

(A)
one specific PV module
4

PV
is used to demonstrate

i
the PVSC design and 2 I−V curve
simulation. MPP(37V,7.79A)
ISCS = 8.34 A; 0
0 10 20 30 40
VOCS = 44.17 V; 300
P−V curve
VMPP = 37.0 V; MPP(37V,288.3W)
200
pPV (W)
IMPP = 7.79 A;
PMPP = 288.3 W.
100
The rating will be used
for the PVSC design
0
and verification. 0 10 20 30 40
v (V)
PV

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Buck-boost converter for PVSC

When PV power is used for battery charging, the converter output voltage and
the PV link voltage of MPP (VMPP ) cannot be distinguished as either step-up
or step-down with the consideration of the significant variation of the PV link
voltage and the converter output voltage.
Under the condition, the buck-boost topology can be considered as the PVSC
when the opposite polarity of the output voltage is not of the concerns.
One disadvantage of the buck-boost topology is that both the input and output
current are chopped, which usually requires significant filtering at both ports
to smooth the input and output voltage.

As the PV power interface, the dynamics

of the PV link is mainly affected by the
applied filtering.
Meanwhile, the output current is always
pulsating, which should be considered
according to the load profile.

Photovoltaic Power System: Modelling, Design, and Control 6 / 23

Steady state analysis and design

According to the STC and the predefined switching frequency, fsw , the
inductor ripple current and ripple voltage at the PV link should be specified by
the peak to peak values, ∆IL and ∆VPV , respectively.
Steady-state analysis can determine the duty cycle at the nominal load
operating condition and STC.
Under the standard test condition (STC), the PV source circuit is expected to
output VMPP and IMPP , which represent the maximum power point.
The duty cycle can be calculated when the converter is operated at
continuous conduction mode (CCM).
VO−NOM
Do =
VO−NOM + VMPP
VO−NOM represents the output voltage of the nominal operating condition,
which can be determined by the load profile.
The value of the inductance, L, and the capacitance Cin can be rated as:
VMPP Do IMPP (1 − Do )
L= Cin =
∆IL fsw ∆VPV fsw
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Dynamics caused by switching

When Q is at on state, the system

dynamics can be represented by
Z
1
iL = vpv dt
L
Z
1
vpv = (ipv − iL )dt
Cin
Based on the repeatable operation of
When Q is at off state, the system on/off states, a simulation model can be
dynamics can be shown as built by using Simulink.
The model is based on the ideal
Z
1
iL = (−vo )dt buck-boost converter, without
L
Z consideration of power loss.
1
vpv = ipv dt Two single-pole-double-throw (SPDT)
Cin switches are utilized for switching
between the on-state and the off-state.
Photovoltaic Power System: Modelling, Design, and Control 8 / 23
Simulink model

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Case study and design demonstration

A design example is given to charge a battery module with the nominal

voltage of 36 V.
The battery voltage range from 30 V to 42 V depending on the level of SOC.
The power source is the PV module, of which the electrical characteristics is
the same as the previous study.
By comparing the source and load voltage profile, the voltage conversion can
be either step-up or step depending on the status of both the PV source
circuit and the battery. Therefore, the buck-boost converter is chosen for the
application.
The switching frequency is designed to be 50 kHz;
The peak-to-peak ripple voltage of the PV module is specified as 0.2 V;
The peak-to-peak ripple of the inductor current is specified as 1 A.
Based on the nominal battery voltage and the STC, the nominal duty cycle of
PWM can be calculated as 49.3 %.
Then the values of ‘L’ and ‘Cin’ can be calculated as 365 µ H and 395 µF.
Photovoltaic Power System: Modelling, Design, and Control 10 / 23
Simulation result

20

iL (A)
10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30

45
vpv (V)

40

35
0 5 10 15 20 25 30

10
ipv (A)

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30

400
p (W)

200
pv

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Time (ms)

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Simulation result with zoom-in look

PWM
0.5
0
29.93 29.94 29.95 29.96 29.97 29.98 29.99
i (A) 16.2
15.8
L

15.4
29.93 29.94 29.95 29.96 29.97 29.98 29.99
v (V)

37.1
37
pv

36.9
29.93 29.94 29.95 29.96 29.97 29.98 29.99
i (A)

7.79
pv

7.77
29.93 29.94 29.95 29.96 29.97 29.98 29.99
ppv (W)

288.3
288.28
29.93 29.94 29.95 29.96 29.97 29.98 29.99
Time (ms)

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From buck-boost topology to Flyback converter

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Flyback for PVSC

Flyback topology should be considered if the converter output voltage is

significantly either higher or lower than the PV link voltage of MPP (VMPP ) with
the function of galvanic isolation.
The high conversion ratio can be achieved by the winding turn ratio of the
flyback transformer.
The analysis of flyback converter can be derived from the principle of the
buck-boost topology.
The symbol Lm is assigned to represent the magnetic inductance of the
flyback transformer, which is equivalent to the symbol L in the steady state
analysis for the buck-boost converter.
The location of the power switch can be relocated to the low side for
simplifying the driving circuit.
The polarity of the output voltage can be corrected by re-assigning the polarity
of the transformer output terminal.
The conversion ratio can be expressed at the CCM operation.
VO D where D is the switching duty cycle for on-state and n
=n
VPV 1−D refers to the 1 : n winding turn ratio.
Photovoltaic Power System: Modelling, Design, and Control 14 / 23
Steady-state analysis and design

The design procedure can specify the current ripple value in order to calculate
the magnetic inductance and therefore design the flyback transformer.
According to the STC and the predefined switching frequency, fsw , the
inductor ripple current and ripple voltage at the PV link should be specified by
the peak to peak values, ∆IL and ∆VPV , respectively.
The PV source circuit is expected to output VMPP and IMPP , which represent
the maximum power point.
The duty cycle can be calculated when the converter is operated at
continuous conduction mode (CCM).
VO−NOM
Do =
VO−NOM + nVMPP
VO−NOM represents the output voltage of the nominal operating condition.
Following the same derivation as the buck-boost converter, the value of the
magnetic inductance, Lm , and the capacitance, Cin , can be calculated
VMPP Do IMPP (1 − Do )
Lm = Cin =
∆IL fsw ∆VPV fsw
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Simulink model modified from the buck boost

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Case study and design demonstration

A design example is given to use the flyback topology for a DC microgrid,

which adopts the DC bus voltage of 380 V.
The power source is the PV module, of which the electrical characteristics is
the same as the previous cases.
By comparing the source and load voltage profile, the step-up conversion ratio
is higher than 1:10, which supports the utilization of the flyback topology.
The winding turn ratio of the flyback transformer is design as 1:10 (n = 10).
The switching frequency is specified as 50 kHz;
The peak-to-peak ripple voltage of the PV module is specified as 0.2 V;
The peak-to-peak ripple of the magnetic inductor current is specified as 1 A,
which indicates the CCM.
Based on the nominal DC bus voltage and the STC, the nominal duty cycle of
PWM can be calculated as 50.7%.
Then the values of Lm and Cin can be calculated as 375 µH and 384 µF .

Photovoltaic Power System: Modelling, Design, and Control 17 / 23

Simulation result

20

iL (A)
10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30

45
vpv (V)

40

35
0 5 10 15 20 25 30

10
ipv (A)

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30

400
ppv (W)

200

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Time (ms)

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Simulation result with zoom-in look

PWM
0.5
0
29.93 29.94 29.95 29.96 29.97 29.98 29.99
iL (A) 15.8
15.4
15
29.93 29.94 29.95 29.96 29.97 29.98 29.99
vpv (V)

37.2
37
29.93 29.94 29.95 29.96 29.97 29.98 29.99

7.79
ipv (A)

7.76
29.93 29.94 29.95 29.96 29.97 29.98 29.99
ppv (W)

288.3
288.25
29.93 29.94 29.95 29.96 29.97 29.98 29.99
Time (ms)

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Summary of PV side converters (PVSC) topologies

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Summary of PV side converters (PVSC)

This section mainly focuses on the power electronic technology for PV side
converters (PVSC) and demonstrates the topology analysis, circuit design,
and simulation focusing on PV power systems.
The selection criteria for converter topology should be based on the principle
of the highest conversion efficiency and simplest circuit design.
The topologies of buck, boost, buck-boost, and tapped-inductor are
non-isolated DC/DC converters.
Every converter shows the unique feature to be selected for the interfacing
requirement.
When the galvanic isolation is mandatory, the common topologies are the
flyback and full-bridge isolated buck converter, which can also be
distinguished by the power capacity for practical implementation.

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Summary of PV side converters (PVSC)

In the steady-state analysis, the parameters of passive components, control

input, voltage conversion ratio, ripple current, and ripple voltage are
considered and designed.
The values of inductance and capacitance of passive components are
determined by the steady-state analysis.
Since these are based on theoretical analysis, the values can be considered
as the base and reference for practical system implementation.
The simulation models presented in this section are based on the ideal
operating condition, and mainly for proving design concept.
In some cases, detailed models are required to identify the loss element in
order to improve the conversion efficiency, which include the non-ideal factors.
It is always important to evaluate the design by the simulation.
The design and simulation model can be verified by each other if the model
output matches the design specification,

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Summary of PV side converters (PVSC)

The case study demonstrates that maximum power point tracking can be
achieved with the full knowledge of PV model, load profile and environmental
condition.
However, it is difficult to achieve the same in reality since the variance of the
PV models and load condition, meanwhile the identification of the
environment condition in terms of irradiance and cell temperature can be
costly and difficult to achieve the required accuracy.
To achieve maximum power point tracking, a dedicated algorithm is needed,
which will be discussed in the following chapters.
Although all design example is based on relatively low power capacity, the
same design and simulation principle can be applied to size high capacity
systems.

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