2021 Innovations in Power and Advanced Computing Technologies (i-PACT)
Grid Supported Solar Water Pump System
Atul Lilhare S.G.Kadwane
Department of Electrical Engineering Department of Electrical Engineering
YCCE,Nagpur YCCE,Nagpur
Nagpur,India Nagpur,India
0000-0001-5350-7532 sgkadwane@gmail.com
Abstract: The irrigation sector worldwide depends on the water
pump. Most of the water pumps are operated from electricity or
diesel. This dependency can be reduced by opting for solar
energy for such a water pump system. But solar energy depends
on environmental conditions results in the reliability of the
power supply to the motor. To reduce such problem of the
standalone solar water pump system, this paper proposed a grid
2021 Innovations in Power and Advanced Computing Technologies (i-PACT) | 978-1-6654-2691-6/21/$31.00 ©2021 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/I-PACT52855.2021.9696889
supported solar water pump which will ensure the reliability of
power supply to the water pump along with the power quality
issue of grid side. The system consists of a PV array, a DC-DC
converter acts as a boost converter, a PFC DC-DC converter acts
as a boost converter, Rectifier, Induction motor along with the
centrifugal pump, and finally three-phase VSI inverter. For
maximum power tracking from the solar PV array, Perturb and
observation method is used in the system. PI controller is used
to maintained DC link voltage across three-phase VSI. Finally,
voltage and frequency are used in the v/f method to operate the
induction motor at the desired speed. The current working
system is simulated with MATLAB / SIMULINK software and
its results proves that system work very well under drastic
change environmental condition.
Keywords: PV system, Grid supply, Solar water pump, P&O
MPPT, Three Phase VSI
I. INTRODUCTION
Fossil fuel-based energy generation creates a lot of
environmental problems which may be critical for our people.
The solution to such a problem can be clear with the help of
renewable energy. This renewable energy is clean, that’s why
it’s gaining popularity in the energy generation sector. Solar
photovoltaic-based energy generation is one of the parts of
renewable energy [1]. Out of many energy sectors, electricity
is one of the important forms of energy and much more
utilized worldwide. The agriculture sector is one of the
essential parts of our country. This sector mostly depends on
water pumps due to the limited canal system. Whereas water
pumps can be operated through electricity or diesel-based
pumped. But this both forms of energy are non-renewable-
based energy which creates an environmental problem along
with a cost burden. This problem can be solved by a solar
photovoltaic-based water pump system [2-3]. However, this
system is sensitive to environmental conditions also at night
time energy generation not possible which leads to an
interrupted power supply. Such a system can be improved by
supporting grid supply [4]. Implementation of such a hybrid
system may improve the reliability of the power to the water
pump system.
Solar power generation mostly depends on solar
irradiance and temperature. This system has varying P-V
curve and I-V curve, to improve the utilization of PV array
and it is necessary to operate at its maximum power point of
P-V curve. This also helps to improve the efficiency of the
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Punit Fulzele
Research and Development
Jawaharlal Nehru Medical
College,Datta Meghe Institute of
Medical Sciences,
Wardha,India
punitr007@gmail.com
system. There are so many algorithms are available like the
P&O method, incremental conductance method, artificial
neural network, fuzzy logic, and other algorithms [5]. Out of
the above MPPT techniques, perturb and observe (P&O)
technique has good results and is simple. In this technique, a
small deviation is introduced to, cause the change in power of
the PV module. The PV output power is measured at regular
intervals and compared with the previous power. The pump
flow rate of water pumps mostly depends on the value of the
solar irradiance, area of the PV array, and types of the motor
pump. The DC machines are more preferred than the AC
machines due to their easy operation and more compatibility
with the solar system but they suffer due to its breakdown and
maintenance requirement at regular period because of
commutator and brushes inside the machines. Whereas the
AC machines mainly the induction motor (IM) have their
advantages like simple and rugged in construction, being
robust and can operate in any environmental condition,
cheaper due to the absence of brushes, commutators, and slip
rings [6].
To interface a solar PV array with a water pump, there is
a need for a power electronic converter. The DC-DC
converter can be used for such conditions. There are so many
types of DC-DC converter available, but Boost converter can
be used to boost low voltage to high voltage along with
maximum power utilized from solar PV array with MPPT
technique. On-grid side to maintained unity power factor DC-
DC boost converter can be used as power factor correction
device. It also helps to maintain the DC link on the output of
the converter [7-8].
This paper deals with grid-supportive solar water pump
systems. It consists of a PV array, two DC-DC converters,
grid, rectifier, and induction motor which serve as a motor
pump. Further work explains in the following way.
II. TOPOLOGY OF PROPOSED SYSTEM
1
 2021 Innovations in Power and Advanced Computing Technologies (i-PACT)

motor pumps, the power losses are taken into account. The
Induction motor typically has an efficiency of 70–95%.
Fig.1 Proposed system for grid supportive solar photovoltaic water pump Similarly, the efficiency of power converters is typically
system 96%. Using these data, the peak power capacity of the PV
array is estimated as
Fig.1 consists of PV array, two DC-DC converters,
rectifier, grid supply, three-phase voltage source inverter Pmpp= Pm/(ηm× ηconv) = 2.2/(0.9 × 0.96) = 2.60 kWp (4)
along three-phase induction motor [7]. It also has three
TABLE I
control blocks i.e. MPPT, PFC, and v/f control. PV array is PV ARRAY SPECIFICATION
used to generate solar power and convert it in terms of electric
power. This generated electric power fed to the inverter Parameter Specification
through DC-DC boost converter with the help of MPPT LG Electronics
control block. MPPT will ensure to operate at peak power Manufacturer
LG235R1CG2
point of P-V curve. Grid supply (AC nature) is converted in Peak power of the
DC with the help of a full-bridge rectifier and then fed to the 236.36 W
module
inverter with the help of a PFC boost DC-DC converter. This Voc and Isc of module 36.9 V and 8.48 A
converter will ensure to maintain unity power factor on the Peak voltage and
grid side while feeding power to the inverter. Finally, three- current of module cells 29.5 V and 7.97 A
phase VSI is used to operate a three-phase induction motor by per module
v/f control technique. This control will ensure the smooth Cells per module 60
operation of the water pump. Peak power of SPV
2.60 kW
array
III. PARAMETERS DESIGN
Voc and Isc of SPV
405.9 V and 8.48 A
Said system which is shown in Fig.1, simply consists of array
a solar PV array, step up or boost converter, three-phase VSI, Voltage and current of
325.5 V and 7.99 A
and finally Three-phase induction motor with pump. The SPV array at peak
design of every component of every device carry out in this No. of modules
section and its explanations are given below. connected in series and 11 and 1
parallel

A. The power rating of the motor pump C. Design of PV side DC-DC boost converter

For the said system, pumping of 21 m3/h of water is DC link voltage require for a three-phase inverter can be
considered whereas its total dynamic head is 25 m. For calculated as
pumping purposes, centrifugal pump and Induction motor are
chosen for the required volume of water delivery. The
theoretical pump (hydraulic) power is calculated as [8] 2 2V LL
V DC = = 375 .6V
3 (5)
Ph= ρ g H Q / (3.6 × 106) kW (1)
Where VLL=230V
where ρ, g, H, and Q are, respectively, the density of water
Value of capacitor required for DC link can be calculated as
(1000 kg/m3), gravity (9.8 m/s2), total dynamic head, and
volume of water. 6α V LL It
Substituting the values in (1) gives pump power as C DC =
[V ∗ 2
DC − V DC 1
2
] = 2051 µF (6)
Ph = 1000 × 9.8 × 21 × 25/(3.6 × 106) =1.4291 kW (2) ∗
α = 1.2,VDC = 400V ,VDC1 = 375V ,VLL = 230V , I = 8.33A, t = 0.005s

The efficiency of the pump mostly depends on the shaft Value of PV side duty ratio for boost converter can be calculated as
output power ‒ the power required to be transferred from the VDC − Vmp
motor to the shaft of the pump and can be estimated as DPV = = 0.21
VDC (7)
Pm= Ph/ηp = 1.4291/0.65 = 2.198 kW (3) VDC = 400V ,Vmp = 315V

where Pm is the mechanical power of the Induction motor and Value of PV side inductor for boost converter can be
ηp is the pump efficiency, which is considered as 65%. calculated as
Therefore, a 2.2 kW-Induction motor is considered here for V mp D PV
water pumping. L PV = = 4.52mH
∆I 1 f s (8)
B. The power rating of solar PV array Vmp = 315V , D = 0.21, ∆I = 1.464 , f s = 10 kHz

For driving a 2.2 kW of motor, a 2.60 kWp solar PV array is

D. Design of Grid side DC-DC boost converter
considered and its details given in Table I. For converters and

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 2021 Innovations in Power and Advanced Computing Technologies (i-PACT)

Value of Grid side duty ratio for PFC boost converter can be
calculated as Voltage to frequency i.e. V/F control is used for control
V − Vm of an induction motor which ensures the output voltage is
DG = DC = 0.1825
VDC proportional with the frequency, so it maintains a constant
(9)
motor flux, preventing weak magnetic and magnetic
VDC = 400V ,Vm = 325.26V
saturation phenomenon from happening. A reference speed is
Value of grid side inductor for boost converter can be calculated from the power output from the PV source using
calculated as the pump's law is shown in Fig.3
V DC DG (1 − DG )
Lg = = 1.97 mH
∆I 1 f s (10)
V DC = 400 V , D = 0.1875 , ∆I = 3 .08, f s = 10 kHz
ωs
E. Calculation of pump constant 3 PP V K pum p
The value of electromagnetic torque can be calculated as

Pout 2200
Te = = = 14.69 N .m Fig.3 Calculation of reference speed for IM control
ω 149.7 (11)
This calculated reference speed is added to the PI
For pumping purposes, a centrifugal pump is generally controller's output which is used to control the DC link
coupled to the shaft of an induction motor. The pump voltage for satisfactory performance of IMD with MPPT.
constant for such pump can be calculated by using the affinity This generated reference speed is given to the scalar or v/f
law of pumps which is given as control block which determines the switching pulses for the
VSI as shown in fig.4
Te 14.69
A. K =
2
= 2
= 6.55 × 10 − 4 ωs
ω 149.7 (12) 3 PP V K pum p

IV. CONTROL STRATEGY FOR THE PROPOSED SYSTEM

A. A maximum power tracking algorithm

In the proposed system, perturb and observe method is

used as it requires only one voltage sensor, and hence the cost
of implementation is less. Input signals, Solar PV voltage
(VPV), and Solar PV current (IPV) are used to calculate the duty
ratio of the boost converter for the transfer of peak power.
Power can be calculated as the product of VPV and IPV. In this
method, the sign of the last change and the sign of the last Fig.4 V/f method for IM control
increment in the power is used to decide the next perturbation.
Based on these facts, the algorithm is implemented as shown
in the flowchart in Fig. 2
C. PFC boost control

V D C ref i L*
VD C

iL
VS
Fig.5 PFC control block

To maintain the input current of the boost converter in

Fig.2 Perturb and Observe MPPT Algorithm flowchart
B. Control of Induction motor drive
shape, it should be operated in the current regulated mode.
The control block is shown in Fig.5, where iL* is the reference
value of the current iL in the inductor. To obtained iL*, the
output of the PI controller is multiplied by the mod of supply
voltage Vs. This reference is compared with the actual

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 2021 Innovations in Power and Advanced Computing Technologies (i-PACT)
inductor current and then feed to the current control mode to
obtain desired gate signal.
V. SIMULATION RESULT OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM
The proposed system is simulated with
MATLAB/SIMULINK software under different solar
irradiation. Solar irradiation is varied from 1000 W/m2 to 600
W/m2 at time t= 1 sec and 600 W/m2 to 1000 W/m2 at time
t=2 sec. Based on the variation of solar radiation, results are
captured. In Fig.6, Vpv, Ipv, and actual with ideal Ppv power
are plotted. It can be observed that the said system operates
near to its maximum power at different solar irradiation.
Fig.6 Vpv, Ipv, and Ppv and its efficiency of solar PV array at different
solar irradiation
Fig.7 Input Vpv and VDC link voltage at different solar irradiation
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In Fig.7, it can be observed that the DC link voltage
remains approximately constant during overall operation. It
shows good stability even at the drastic change in solar
radiation at times t=1 sec and 3 sec.
In fig.8, Inverter voltage remains almost constant,
however, there is an initial high current observe due to the
starting current requirements for an induction motor to build
its starting torque. In fig.9, rotor speed looks almost constant
at different solar irradiation. Electromagnetic torque and load
torque are shown in fig.9, they almost follow the same nature.
In fig.10, it can be observed that the supply current and supply
voltage are in phase, which leads to maintaining unity power
factor on-grid side.
Fig.8 Three Phase Voltage and current of Inverter at different solar
irradiation
Fig.9 Rotor speed and electromagnetic torque at different solar irradiation
 2021 Innovations in Power and Advanced Computing Technologies (i-PACT)
Fig.10 Grid Voltage and Current at different solar irradiation
VI. CONCLUSION
The proposed system will be beneficial for the agriculture
sector. It will ensure the continuity of the power supply to the
water pump. This system will reduce the dependency on
batteries, which help to reduce the cost and maintenance of
the overall system. The Rated amount of discharge water flow
rate will also be maintained by keeping the unity power factor
on-grid side.
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Appendix
2.2 kW(3HP), 230 V, 8.2 A, 50 Hz three phase, 1430
rpm, 4 pole, Rs = 0.603Ω, Rr = 0.7 Ω, Xs=1.007 Ω,,
Xr = 0.9212 Ω Xm = 23.56 Ω.