INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ELECTRONICS, COMMUNICATION AND COMPUTATIONAL ENGINEERING - ICECCE 2014

Reconfigurable Solar Converter for PV Battery

Application
Malu Vikraman Nair

Lekshmi S.

Student, EEE Department,

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University,
Amrita school of engineering, Bangalore
maluvikraman@yahoo.com

Assistant Professor, EEE Department,

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University,
Amrita school of engineering, Bangalore
s_lekshmi@blr.amrita.edu

Abstract A photovoltaic system is an arrangement of

components designed to supply usable electric power using the
sun as the power source. PV systems have many advantages like
it provide clean energy, it can be made available almost
anywhere there is sunlight, the operating and maintenance costs
for PV panels are considered to be low. The conventionally used
converters in solar systems have many disadvantages such as
multiple conversion stages, complex control, less efficient, high
cost, bulky, etc. A new converter, for photovoltaic battery
applications, called Reconfigurable Solar Converter (RSC), uses
only single-stage three phase grid-tie solar PV converter to
perform dc/ac and dc/dc operations, overcomes the drawback of
conventional converters. The RSC concept is based on energy
storage integration for utility-scale solar PV systems and it
provides a minimal overlap between the PV energy storage and
energy release time. In this paper a RSC which uses minimum
number of conversion stages which in turn improves the
efficiency and reduces the cost, weight and volume has been
realized.
Keywords DC to AC converter, DC to DC converter, energy
storage,
Reconfigurable
Solar
Converter
(RSC),
PhotoVoltaic(PV).

I.

INTRODUCTION

The ever increasing energy demand coupled with the

depleting fossil fuel reserves and the inherent hazards linked
with thermal and nuclear power plants is a call for new
sources of sustainable cleaner energy like solar energy. It is
going to be the future source of energy for reasons best
known. Different types of solar energy harvesting techniques
are being employed that converts solar resource to electricity.
One method is by collecting solar energy as heat and
converting it into electricity using a typical power plant or
engine; the other method is by using photovoltaic (PV) cells

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that forms the foundation of PV systems which converts solar

energy directly into electricity. Normally converters such as
1) DC to DC converters for storing the energy in battery or
fuel cell or super capacitor to use in deficit condition and
2) DC to AC converter for supplying the energy to grid is used
for the conversion purpose. These converters have many
disadvantages such as multiple conversion stages, bulky and
are of high cost. Research works are being undertaken
worldwide to overcome these drawbacks.
A converter which integrates both DC/AC and DC/DC
operations in single stage overcomes the aforesaid drawback.
It has minimum number of conversion stages and as a result it
improves the efficiency as well as reduces cost, weight, and
volume. Reconfigurable converter is one such converter that
can be used for PV battery applications [1].
In residential photovoltaic (PV) energy storage system, the
DCDC converter controls the PV power and transfer to a
small battery energy storage system [2]. A boost cascaded with
a buck converter using MOSFET and ultra fast diode, is used
for residential application [3], due to its novel operating modes,
which improves the efficiency. High leakage current in
MOSFET is overcome by the use of Silicon Carbide (SiC)
devices . SiC represents a breakthrough in silicon technology
because it allows a larger energy gap. SiC is classified as a
wide-band-gap (WBG) material, and it is becoming the
mainstream material for power semiconductors. The main
advantages are the high-breakdown voltage and the small
reverse-recovery current. Some research has proven that SiC
schottky diodes are superior to Si-based diodes in device
characteristics. As a result, higher efficiency and higher power
density can be brought to power electronic systems in different
applications. An Interleaved Boost Converter (IBC) using SiC
(Silicon Carbide) diodes for photovoltaic (PV) applications is
one such application [4] which consists of two switching cells,

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with 1800 phase shift, shared by the output current of PV panel.

Ideally the SiC diodes provide zero reverse-recovery current,
which in turn reduces the commutation losses in switches. Thus
the SiC diodes enable higher efficiency and higher power
density of the converter system thus reducing the requirement
of the cooling system.
DC-AC converters in combination with supercapacitor or
battery energy storage play a major role in the area of
distributed energy generation systems [5]. The DC-AC
converter uses an isolated multicell topology. The total ac
output of the system is formed by connecting several fullbridge converter stages in series. The dc links of the full
bridges are supplied by individual DC-DC isolation stages
which are arranged in parallel considering the DC input of the
total system. By incorporating low-voltage high-current power
MOSFETs the system efficiency is further improved. The cells
are operated in an interleaved pulsewidth-modulation mode.
This significantly reduces the filtering effect on the ac output
of the overall system. Another new, hybrid integrated topology,
fed by photovoltaic (PV) and fuel cell (FC) sources is also
suitable for distributed generation applications. It works as an
uninterruptible power source that ensures a certain minimum
amount of power into the grid under all conditions [6]. The
primary source PV operates at maximum power point (MPP),
with fuel cell in parallel, which feed only the deficit power,
resulting in the reduction of number of devices, components,
and sensors. The grid can be even fed with small amount of PV
power. Optimal use of power is possible by diverting excess
power for auxiliary purpose. The main advantages of the
system are low cost, compact structure, and high reliability.
An alternate converter is used to store energy from PV
panel in an air accumulator that is controlled under Maximum
Efficiency Point Tracking (MEPT). A Maximum Power Point
Tracking (MPPT) power converter is connected to the PV
panel with an intermediary storage tank that consists of
supercapacitor. The power is extracted under MPPT condition
and is injected to hydro-pneumatic system under MEPT
condition. This energy transfer operates sequentially thereby
reducing the number of power converters. The super capacitors
are connected directly to the solar panels to lower the losses
[7].
The above explained converters used in solar systems have
many disadvantages such as multiple conversion stages,
complex control, less efficiency, high cost, bulky etc. In this
paper a new converter is introduced which overcomes these
drawbacks by integrating both DC-AC and DC-DC operation
in a single system.

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II.

RECONFIGURABLE SOLAR CONVERTER

Reconfigurable Solar Converter (RSC) is designed to

overcome all the drawbacks of conventional multistage
converters used in solar energy harvesting systems.
The Fig 1 shows the basic block diagram of RSC system.
The solar energy captured by the solar panel is converted to ac
using Reconfigurable Solar Converter (RSC) and later it is fed
to the utility grid. At the same time the battery will be supplied
by the solar panel. When enough sunlight is not available, the
stored energy from the battery fed to the utility grid with the
help of RSC. Both solar panel and battery supply to the utility
grid.

Fig 1 Basic block diagram of RSC

III.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM OF RSC

The schematic diagram of Reconfigurable Solar Converter

(RSC) is shown in the Fig 2. The circuit has some
modifications from the conventional three phase photovoltaic
inverter system. Solar is the main source of energy and a
battery is used to store the energy.

Fig 2 Circuit Diagram of RSC

There are four modes of operation for RSC. In the first mode
operation of RSC, the PV is directly connected to the grid
through a DC/AC operation as in Fig.3 (a). During this mode
of operation the switches S2 and S4 remains open. Second

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mode of operation charges the battery through DC/DC

operation of converter from PV panel by closing S1 and S4
switch and opening the S3 switch as in Fig. 3(b).

The base impedance and base capacitance are defined by

equations (1) and (2). Thus, the filter values are referred as a
percentage of the base values. The base impedance is
calculated as per the following equation.
2

V
Base impedance Z = l1
b

(1)

P
n

Fig 3 (a) Mode 1 operation PV to grid (b) Mode 2 operation PV to battery

The base capacitance is also calculated using the given

equation (2)
1
Base Capacitance
(2)
C=
b 2fgZ
b

Out of other two modes of operation third mode provides

energy to the grid from the charged battery and during fourth
mode of operation both PV and battery feeds the grid. Concept
of RSC is based on energy storage integration for utility-scale
solar PV systems. It overcomes many disadvantages of
conventional converter. Advantages of RSC are, it minimizes
the number of conversion stages required which in turn
improves the efficiency of the system. It also reduces the cost,
weight and volume.

The maximum power factor variation is considered for the

design of filter capacitance and is seen as 5% which indicates
that the base impedance of the system is adjusted in the
following manner: Cf=0.05* Cb
(3)
The maximum current ripple at the output of DC/AC inverter
is given by
2V
dc
Ilmax = 3* L * f sw (1 m) * m
(4)
1

(a)

(b)

IV.

DESIGN OF LCL FILTER

A LCL filter is used to interconnect an inverter to the utility

grid in order to filter the harmonics produced by the inverter.
Normally higher order LCL filters are used in grid connected
inverter applications [8].
Several characteristics must be considered while designing a
LCL filter, such as current ripple, filter size and switching
ripple attenuation. The reactive power requirements may cause
a resonance of the capacitor interacting with the grid.
Therefore, passive or active damping must be added by
including a resistor in series with the capacitor. The table 1
shows the parameters required for filter design.
Table 1. Filter design parameters

Parameter

Abbreviation

Line to line RMS

voltage(inverter output)

Vll

Phase voltage(inverter output)

Vph

Rated active power

Pn

DC voltage

Vdc

Grid frequency

fg

Switching frequency

fsw

Resonance frequency

fres

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Where, m is the modulation index and L1 is the inverter side

inductor.
At typical Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM)
inverter modulation index of m=0.5 the maximum ripple
current is
Ilmax=

V
dc
6* L * f sw
1

(5)

From equations (4) and (5) the inverter side inductor can be
calculated. The grid side inductor (L2) is calculated using the
following equation.
1
L2 =

+1
Ka2
C *(2* * fsw)^2
f

(6)

Where, Cf is the filter current, fsw is the switching frequency,

Ka is the desired attenuation.
The table shown in the Fig.4 gives design values of grid
connected LCL filter used for RSC.
Table 2. Filter design values

Line to line RMS voltage, Vrms

Rated power, Pn
Base Impedance, Zb
Base Capacitance, Cb
Maximum Ripple current, Ilmax
Inverter side inductor, L1
Filter capacitor, Cf
Grid side inductor, L2

19.05V
20.955W
17.318
183.802F
0.11A
1.038mH
9.19F
0.0135mH

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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ELECTRONICS, COMMUNICATION AND COMPUTATIONAL ENGINEERING - ICECCE 2014

V. SIMULATION RESULTS
The simulation model of RSC during different modes of
operation with resistive load is done using PSIM platform.
The pulses for each MOSFET were generated by comparing
sinusoidal wave with a carrier wave. Reconfigurable Solar
Converter is almost similar to a Voltage Source Inverter
(VSI). The first two modes of operation of RSC were done in
PSIM platform.
Instead of solar panel a DC voltage source is been used for
simulation in PSIM. The DC voltage chosen for this purpose is
10V. A capacitor is used instead of battery for storage
purpose. The gate signal for the control of MetalOxide
Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFETs) switches
was generated by comparing sinusoidal wave with carrier
wave. The gate pulses and complimentary pulses generated is
shown in the Fig 5 (a) and Fig 5(b) respectively.
The mode 1 operation of RSC, were the solar panel feeds
the grid is shown in Fig 6. In PSIM platform instead of solar
panel a DC source of 10 V was used. During this mode of
operation the battery is been disconnected from the solar
panel. A DC to AC mode of operation takes place in this
mode. During mode 1 of operation the RSC works as normal
Voltage Source Inverter (VSI).

Fig 6 Mode 1 operation of RSC: PV to Grid

The Fig 7 shows the three phase output voltage and current
across the resistive load during mode 1 operation. The output
voltage obtained in each phase is 4.8V with 120 degree phase
shift, when an input of 10V is given. The output current
obtained in each phase is 0.3 A.

(a)

Fig 5 (a) gate pulse given to MOSFET switches

(b)
Fig 7 (a) Three phase output voltage during mode 1 (b) three phase output
current during mode 1 operation

(b)
Fig 5 (b) complementary pulses for MOSFET switch

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During mode 2 of operation of RSC the battery (capacitor)

is charged from solar panel is shown in Fig 8. The battery
should charge upto 10 Volts. In this mode DC to DC operation
takes place.

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The switching points are given in such a way that the relays
connected to the grid and relay connected to the PV panel
operate simultaneously giving three phase output at the grid
side and at the same time the battery is not connected to the
panel. After few switching point the relay disconnects the
connection to the grid and connects to battery to charge the
same. The waveform obtained during simulation is shown in
Fig 11 where the grid gets three phase output voltage of 4.8V
and the battery charges to 10V.

Fig 8 Mode 2 operation of RSC: PV to Battery

The charging of capacitor from solar panel is shown in

Fig 9. Here capacitor of 250F has been used as a battery
during simulation. The battery charges to 9V from 10V input.

Fig 11 Output voltage during mode1 and battery charging during mode 2
operation of RSC using relay

VI. EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION OF RSC

Fig 9 charging of capacitor

Both mode 1 and mode 2 was combined so that the mode 1

operates for some reasonable time and later mode 2,
continuously. A relay can be used for combining both mode 1
and mode 2.

The RSC concept is experimentally verified. The

experimental setup of RSC is shown in Fig 12. A three phase
AC load is connected to the system and the power is delivered
to load. The verification of RSC circuit is done with the help
of controllable DC power supply. As in Fig 12, RSC consists
of six MOSFETs that have the rating of 100 V and 57 A. LCL
filter is used to reduce the harmonics produced by the system.
A 6V, 5Ah lead acid battery has been used as the storage
device. The RSC control pulses are implemented with
MATLAB/SIMULINK into TMS320F8335.

Fig 10 Combined circuit diagram for mode 1 and mode 2

Fig 12 Experimental setup of RSC

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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ELECTRONICS, COMMUNICATION AND COMPUTATIONAL ENGINEERING - ICECCE 2014

Relay switches has been used to combine the Mode 1 (PV

to Grid) and Mode 2 (PV to Battery) operations of RSC. The
pulses are generated in such a way that during first 100ms the
first mode of operation of RSC will be operating while the
second mode will be in off condition. Later the second mode
of RSC will be working for next 100ms while the first mode
remains off during this condition. The output waveforms
obtained from the experimental setup is shown in Fig 13. It
shows that when relay is on for first 100ms, the output voltage
across the resistive load is 6.6 V during first mode of
operation. At the same time the second mode will be in off
state. After 100ms the second mode starts working and the
battery charges to 4.6V from an input of 10 V.

REFERENCES
[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

Hongrae Kim, Babak Parkhideh,Tim D. Bongers, and Heng

GaoReconfigurable Solar Converter: A Single-Stage Power Conversion
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Z. Zhao, M. Xu, Q. Chen, J. Lai, and Y. Cho, Derivation, analysis, and
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[5]

Fig 13 output waveforms obtained from experimental setup

V. CONCLUSION
The Reconfigurable Solar Converter (RSC) is a singlestage three phase solar PV converter that perform both DC/AC
and DC/DC operations. This system with minimal complexity
reduces the cost, weight and volume in comparison to
conventional multistage solar converters. The experimental
results are presented to verify the concept and to demonstrate
the characteristics of RSC. The result confirms that the system
is technically feasible and attractive for PV-battery
applications.

978-1-4799-5748-4/14/$31.00 2014 IEEE

M. Bragard, N. Soltau, R. W. De Doncker, and A. Schmiegel, Design

and implementation of a 5 kW PV system with Li-ion battery and
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[6] H. Ertl, J. W. Kolar, and F. Zach, A novel multicell dc-ac converter for
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[7] P. Barrade, S.Delalay, and A. Rufer, Direct connection of
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[8] A. Reznik, M.Godoy Simes, Ahmed Al-Durra, LCL Filter Design
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[10] M. Bragard, N. Soltau, R. W. De Doncker, and A. Schmiegel, Design
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[11] Sachin Jain and Vivek Agarwal, An Integrated Hybrid Power Supply
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