Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

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Materials Today: Proceedings

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Effect of head and PV array configurations on solar water pumping

system
Arunendra K. Tiwari a,b, Vilas R. Kalamkar b, Rohan R. Pande c, Sanjay K. Sharma d,
Vimal Chand Sontake e,⇑, Abhishek Jha f
a
Solar Energy Division, Sardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute VV Nagar, Gujarat 388120, India
b
Mechanical Department, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur, MH 440010, India
c
Mechanical Department, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat, Gujarat 395007, India
d
Mechanical Department, Amity University, Chhatisgarh 493225, India
e
Mechanical Department, St. Vincent Pallotti College of Engineering and Technology, Nagpur 441108, India
f
Mechanical Department, GH Raisoni College of Engineering, Nagpur 440016, India

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Nowadays, the photovoltaic (PV) to power the water pumps is a newly accepted technology with few
Received 24 August 2020 challenges associated with high initial cost and lower system efficiency. The literature suggests the
Received in revised form 2 September 2020 majorly of commercial pumps at present, underperform, due to poor system design, low efficiency and
Accepted 5 September 2020
mismatch of components. In this paper Matlab Simulink model of a solar photovoltaic (PV) water pump-
Available online xxxx
ing system (SPVWPS) has been created. Such a model; demonstrates the system characteristics under dif-
ferent operating parameters. This model can successfully and completely check the feasibility, size and
Keywords:
optimize the system for its complete utilization. The effect of various parameters such as operating head
Photovoltaic (PV)
Matlab Simulink model
of the pump, radiation, PV array configurations on the performance of the SPVWPS has been discussed
Solar photovoltaic (PV) water pumping and presented in the paper.
system Ó 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Operating head Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International Confer-
PV array configuration ence on Innovations in Clean Energy Technologies.

1. Introduction
Solar photovoltaic (PV) water pumping system (SPVWPS) can
address the need of growing water requirements for the increasing
populations using renewable and clean energy, and can meet the
planet demand. SPVWPS has great potential to cater the need for
irrigation has potential to become a sustainable energy solution
for both developed and developing countries. It can also be served
as a cost-effective mode with low maintenance and can address
the farmers concerns of erratic power supply and high diesel cost.
The central and state governments have started promoting
SPVWPS for irrigation across the country and by subsidising the
solar power which is helping in grid stability and gaining environ-
mental benefits in the recent years.
In SPVWPS, electrical energy produced by PV panel runs the
pumping system connected with cables and operates the motor.
⇑ Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: tiwariarunendra1989@gmail.com (A.K. Tiwari), vimal_sonta-
ke44@rediffmail.com, vimalsontake44@gmail.com (V.C. Sontake).
The rotating motor is coupled to pump which lifts the groundwater
for usage. The components of SPVWPS differ in construction, work-
ing, and performance characteristics.
The SPVWPS works on renewable energy and is complex sys-
tem. The components interact with each other in differently under
the limits imposed by certain factors which control the system as a
unit. A SPVWPS is a, normally composed of various components
(Fig. 1A). The electrical equivalent circuit of a typical direct coupled
SPVWPS is also shown in Fig. 1(B). Efficiency of solar PV panel to
convert solar energy into PV power is very low (12–18%), hence
the PV power needs efficient utilization by the SPVWPS. This is
achieved by optimizing the operating characteristics of SPVWPS
components.
Koner [1] investigated the PV energy utilization of a commercial
centrifugal pump with DC series motor. Chaurey et al. [2] investi-
gated the performance of PVPS at seven locations of India. They
found the reduction in the performance of SPVWPS at off design
head conditions and suggested to use the multistage submersible
centrifugal pumps for maximum benefit when operating at
designed parameters.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.09.200
2214-7853/Ó 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International Conference on Innovations in Clean Energy Technologies.

Please cite this article as: A.K. Tiwari, V.R. Kalamkar, R.R. Pande et al., Effect of head and PV array configurations on solar water pumping system, Materials
Today: Proceedings, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.09.200
A.K. Tiwari, V.R. Kalamkar, R.R. Pande et al. Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

Controller
PV Array

Motor Pump

Fig. 1A. Simple submersible SPVWPS block diagram.

subsections. The working principal, mathematical equations and

I Ra
Radiations Id Rs
M
V 2.1. PV cell modelling
Rsh Rf
Iph P
Fig. 1B. Electrical equivalent circuit of direct coupled SPVWPS.
Hamza et al. [3] tested the SPVWPS in remote location of Sudan
for for applications like drinking and irrigation. They calculated the
effect of radiation on efficiency of the SPVWPS and found the min-
imum radiation required for starting the pump. Reshef et al. [4]
investigated the performance of the complete SPVWPS at site of
Australia. The authors figured out the important of matching the
load profile with PV array size for optimal system performance.
Yahya & Sambo [5] designed and tested the SPVWPS at Nigerian
site. Various other work done in the field investigations SWPS
[6–11], Yesilata and Firatoglu [12] found the effect of solar radia-
tion proposed by Liu [13].
The literature suggests the majorly of commercial pumps at
present, underperform, due to poor system design, lower system
efficiency and components mismatch. The present system design-
ers follows MNRE guidelines for system sizing without considering
the environmental changes and sizing of individual components
specially the PV array. So, the performance investigation of opti-
mized SPVWPS is needed for different operating conditions such
as operating head and effect of PV array configuration.
The objective of study is to come up with the MATLAB Simulink
model which can be utilized to judge the feasibility of installation
of SPVWPS at any given location based on its performance. This can
be done by, precise and accurate simulated MATLAB model and its
validation. The modelling is performed assuming the equivalent
electrical circuit of PV panel, DC-DC converter, DC motor and pump
the model has the facility to check outputs for different configura-
tions for same radiation data of the day.
We mathematically modelled a solar SPVWPS. Such a model;
demonstrates the system characteristics under different operating
parameters and can be successfully used to check feasibility, size
and optimize the system for its complete utilization. Relationships
between different operating parameters – radiation vs. discharge
at various head, optimum configuration of PV modules for maxi-
mum discharge can be found out which will assist in robust appli-
cation of the system.
electrical circuits of all the subcomponents have been discussed.
The PV system produces power in terms of DC electrical energy
which is the source of electricity to run the pumps. Depending
upon the pumping system size, the PV panels are connected in ser-
ies and parallel combinations. PV module modelling needs non-
linear I–V and P-V curves using manufacturers datasheets. Two
main lumped electrical circuit models are single diode and double
diode model used for modelling.
In a single diode model is the simplest and most widely used
because of simplicity. The double diode model is more accurate
with dark current modelled by two diodes in parallel with the pho-
tocurrent source [14]. Double diode model considers the recombi-
nation loss in depletion region which was neglected in case of
single diode model. The two diodes have similarity with single
model in thermal voltage (Vt) but differ in ideality factors and sat-
uration currents. The ideality factor as taken by various researchers
are A1 = 1 and A2 = 1.2.
The current output (I) from the PV is calculated by applying the
Kirchoff’s law on the equivalent electrical circuit [15] shown in
Fig. 2.
I ¼ Iph  Id1  Id2  Ip ð1Þ
where: Iph – photocurrent and is generated by radiation incident on
the PV cell. It varies linearly with solar radiation and calculated by
equation (2). Id1 and Id2 are shunted current through the diodes. Ip a
parallel current. Following equations have been used to calculate
them [14,16].
G

Iph ¼  Iph stc þ ki  DT ð2Þ
G stc
Rs I
I d1 I d2
Ip
I ph Rp
V

2. SPVWP system

The direct coupled SPVWP system which includes PV array,

motor, controllers and pump has been discussed in the following Fig. 2. Electrical equivalent circuit of double diode model.

2
A.K. Tiwari, V.R. Kalamkar, R.R. Pande et al. Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

ðIst stc þ ki  DT Þ 2.3.1. Boost converter

I0 ¼ I01 ¼ I02 ¼ ð3Þ
expððV oc stc þ kv  DT Þ=ðða1 þ a2 Þ=pÞV T Þ  1 Boost converter is a DC-DC converter used to step up voltage
from supply to the output (load). It increases the voltage by
Finally, putting equation (2) and (3) in equation (1) we get,
managing the current [18].
    For given input and output voltage duty cycle for the boost con-
q ð V þ I  Rs Þ
I ¼ Iph  I01  exp  1  I02 verter is given as-
A1  k  T c
     
qðV þ I  Rs Þ V þ I  Rs Vo 1
 exp 1  ð4Þ ¼ ð9Þ
A2  k  T c Rp VI 1  D
where Vi – input voltage, Vo – output voltage and D is duty cycle.
where: Io – diode reverse saturation current (A), q – electron charge
The electrical model of boost converter is given in Fig. 4.
(1.602  1019C), k – Boltzmann’s constant (1.381  1023 J/K), T –
junction temperature (K). A1 and A2 are ideality factor. I cell current
2.4. Model of pump
(the same as the module current) and V – cell voltage

The centrifugal pump is a type of rotodynamic pump. The mod-

2.2. Model of DC motor elling of the centrifugal pump can be done using following equa-
tions [19,20]-
The modelling of DC motor involves an electric potential bal-
qgQ H
ance equation; a mechanical equation for dynamics of motor and g¼ ð10Þ
coupling equation for couple the electrical–mechanical dependents Pm
[17] the circuit is shown in Fig. 3. where q is density of fluid (kg/m3), H is working head (m), g is
The figure shows electrical model of DC motor; the electrical acceleration due to gravity (m/s2), Q is pump flow rate (m3/s), P is
equation can be derived from it is – power input to pump (W).
The input power to the pump is equal to the output power of
dIa
V t ¼ Ia R þ L þ Vb ð5Þ PMBLDC:
dt
P m ¼ xm T e
The mechanical dynamic equation can be written as-
The other equation to model pump as referred from the litera-
dx
Te  Tl ¼ J þ B m xm þ C ð6Þ ture are-
dt
H ¼ a  Q 2 þ b  Q  N þ c  N2 ð11Þ
In directly coupled SPVWPS, terminal voltage (Vt) and armature
current (Ia) are equal to the Varray and Iarray. The Coupling equations where a, b and c are geometric parameters characterizing the pump
relate the electrical quantities with mechanical quantities; and and generally provided by the manufacturer.
thus, help in solving the two equations. These equations are – And

T e ¼ km Ia ð7Þ T L ¼ d  w2 þ e  w þ f ð12Þ
where qis density of fluid, g gravitational force, Q is pump flow rate,
V b ¼ k m xm ð8Þ P is power input to pump, H is operating head, a, b and c are con-
stants. N is the pump speed.
where, Ia – Armature current, R – Armature resistance, L – Induc-
Where data from literature survey is
tance of motor, Vb – voltage across motor, km – Motor constant,
xm – Motor speed, J – Moment of inertia of the rotor, Te – Motor tor- d ¼ 4:8  106
que, Tl – Load torque (pump load), Bm – Back emf constant, C
capacitance. e ¼ 0:00019

2.3. Model of DC converter f ¼ 0:092

DC-DC converter converts the direct current (DC) from one volt-
age level to another voltage level. It is the inter link between the PV
array and the load (the motor pump system). It maximises the
power output from PV systems and called power optimizers [18].
3. Simulink model setup
The complete system, which includes PV array, DC- DC conver-
tor, motor, and pump system has been modelled in Matlab Simu-
link is presented in Fig. 5.

L L

R D
Ia

Vt DC DC S C LOAD

Fig. 3. Electrical equivalent circuit model of DC motor. Fig. 4. Electrical model of boost converter.

3
A.K. Tiwari, V.R. Kalamkar, R.R. Pande et al.
Fig. 5. Model of SPVWPS.
4. Code validation
The mathematical model must be validated in order to gain
confidence on the results of the model. The mathematical models
presented above in form of equations from 1 to 12 needs various
4
Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx
constant values to solve them. This also needs various design and
performance parameters of SPVWPS to solve the equations. The
authors have validated the Simulink model with available open lit-
erature. The validation of the model with selected paper has been
discussed in the following subsections. The model data is validated
against paper of Kolhe (2004) et al. [21], The required parameters
are geometrical and performance parameters of PV cell, controller,
motor and pump system taken from [21].
In this paper, the motor-pump is directly coupled to the PV
array, and simplified single diode model is used in which the shunt
resistance is assumed to be very high and therefore, the shunt
branch of the circuit is neglected.
The result in the Fig. 6 is plotted against increasing solar radia-
tion; experimentally the motor starts to rotate when the starting
torque is reached. The starting torque of setup overcomes when
radiation is 150 W/m2. The steady state value of speed at this radi-
ation is around 600 rpm. The speed variation is up to maximum
speed of 2100 rpm. The simulated model data and the paper calcu-
lated data, agrees with the experimental data, with slight error at
low radiation values. The result in Fig. 7 shows the variation of cur-
rent with increase in solar radiation, for given setup data; current
increases linearly and saturates at higher radiation values. The
maximum experimental current value is 8 A, which is motor speci-
fic parameter. The minimum current value is 1.8 A. when the
motor-pump starts to rotate. Our results are very close to experi-
mental results obtained by Kolhe et al.
5. Results and discussion
After the validation of the model, The Simulink model has been
used to create performance parameters of SPVWPS using experi-
mental solar radiation of Nagpur site and constant inputs of Kolhe
et al. [21]. The effect of head and PV array configurations on the
performance of SPVWPS has been discussed in subsections using
the model and giving radiation data input of Nagpur site obtained
through experimentation.
5.1. Effect of total head
The Fig. 9 shows the discharge vs time curve for different heads
for 3Sx5P configuration for input radiation as shown in Fig. 8. The
discharge increases as the head decreases. The discharge is maxi-
mum at 10 m head in afternoon time and minimum for 50 m head.
The discharge for different heads is negligible for starting morning
and closing evening hours. For lower head discharge varies signif-
icantly while, for higher heads discharge variation is low. For 10 m
head, maximum discharge is 300 L/min when solar radiation is
maximum. The maximum discharge for 50 m head is 50 L/min. It
can be concluded from the Fig. 9 that the operating head of pump
affects the output from the SPVWPS. The modeling results are
accordance with the experimental work.
5.2. Effect of PV array configuration
The data is modelled against day-time for input data of radia-
tion from date 2 Dec 2017. It is modelled for constant duty cycle
to capture the variation in the results pertaining to different con-
figurations of the PV array. However, it must be of note that with
changing duty cycle by implementing MPPT algorithm; the perfor-
mance curves overlap close in proximity. The discharge is highest
for the configuration 6Sx2P as shown in Fig. 10 (A) with maximum
system efficiency of 6% (Fig. 10(B)). When more panels are in ser-
ies, the efficiency increases with radiation. While, when more pan-
els are in parallel the system efficiency is high in morning and
evening and lower in the afternoon. In configurations, 6Sx2P and
A.K. Tiwari, V.R. Kalamkar, R.R. Pande et al. Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

Fig. 6. Speed vs Solar radiation.

Fig. 7. Current vs Solar radiation.

Fig. 8. Experimental values of solar radiation on 2 Dec 2017 for Nagpur Site.

12S configuration discharge increases with the solar radiation
throughout the day. While in the remaining configuration 4Sx3P,
3Sx4P configuration and 2Sx6P the discharge variation is not sig-
nificant in whole day. This can be attributed to optimum operating
point conditions of the motor.
In the afternoon, the solar radiation and temperature is maxi-
mum, current increases while voltage decrease is notably more
in 4Sx3P, 3Sx4P and 2Sx6P configurations due to high voltage ther-
mal coefficient of PV module. Thus, the optimum operating point
shifts and discharge does not increase even when current has
increased. For the system efficiency curve, the output power is
almost constant due to constant discharge while the input power
is more because of high radiation. Thus, the system efficiency
decreases for these configurations in the afternoon.
For 6Sx2P and 12S configuration, more modules are in series
hence voltage output of the PV array system is more. The current
is less and therefore, when the radiation is less in the morning
and evening time; the discharge of the pump is less. While in the
afternoon, the voltage decrease due to high temperature and the
current increase positively shifts the power point to the optimum
operating condition of the motor and therefore the discharge
increases along with the radiation curve. As discharge increases
in the afternoon, the output power actually increases and there-
fore, the system efficiency also increase.
For 6sx2P and 12S configurations; discharge and system effi-
ciency is maximum in afternoon. For 4Sx3P, 3Sx4P and 2Sx6P con-
figurations the discharge is almost constant throughout the day;
the system efficiency is maximum in morning and evening hours

5
A.K. Tiwari, V.R. Kalamkar, R.R. Pande et al. Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

Fig. 9. Discharge vs Time (Configuration 3Sx5P).

Fig. 10. (A) Modelled discharge (B) Modelled system efficiency vs. day-time for constant duty cycle value of 0.4 and constant head 27 m.

while it drops to minimum value in the afternoon. The reason for
the drop in afternoon is voltage drop during this period due to
increase in temperature.
6. Conclusions
The solar water pumping system is comprises of any subsys-
tems namely, PV array, controllers, motor and pump. These subsys-
tems interact with each other in different ways, but within the
limits imposed by certain strategies used to control the system
6
as a whole. The mathematical model has been created with an
objective to obtaining performance of the SPVWPS for the given
configuration and head, in any climatic condition and ultimately
feasibility can be judged. The Simulink model has been validated
with open literature available. The model can be used to obtain
the results for various combinations of the components also incor-
porate for maximizing the output and efficiency of the system.
Mathematical modelling is useful in situations where experi-
mentation cost is high and time consuming. In this project, a suc-
cessful model of solar water pumping system is made. The other
objective is to size the PV system for selected motor pump
A.K. Tiwari, V.R. Kalamkar, R.R. Pande et al.
configurations. More numbers of module in series are better as
compared to square configurations. However, the PV output should
be such that it reaches the optimum operating point of the motor;
and thus; improving the overall operating efficiency of the system.
System efficiency is affected severely when output power shifts
away from optimum operating point of motor; due to temperature.
CRediT authorship contribution statement
Arunendra K. Tiwari: Conceptualization, Methodology, Soft-
ware, Writing - original draft. Vilas R. Kalamkar: Supervision.
Rohan R. Pande: Visualization, Investigation. Sanjay K. Sharma:
Writing - review & editing. Vimal Chand Sontake: Writing -
review & editing. Abhishek Jha: Writing - review & editing.
Declaration of Competing Interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing finan-
cial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared
to influence the work reported in this paper.
Acknowledgement
This work has been supported by VNIT, Nagpur, India.
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