Experimental Learning of Digital Power Controller for Photovoltaic Module Using Proteus VSM

The electric power supplied by photovoltaic module depends on light intensity and temperature. It is necessary to control the operating point to draw the maximum power of photovoltaic module. This paper presents the design and implementation of digital power converters using Proteus software. Its aim is to enhance student’s learning for virtual system modeling and to simulate in software for PIC microcontroller along with the hardware design. The buck and boost converters are designed to interface with the renewable energy source that is PV module. PIC microcontroller is used as a digital controller, which senses the PV electric signal for maximum power using sensors and output voltage of the dc-dc converter and according to that switching pulse is generated for the switching of MOSFET. The implementation of proposed system is based on learning platform of Proteus virtual system modeling (VSM) and the experimental results are presented. 1. Introduction The growing market for renewable energy technologies has resulted in a rapid growth in the need for power electronics. Due to the global concern about climate changes and sustainable electrical power supply, renewable energy is increasingly becoming more popular all over the world. With the virtual system modeling (VSM) facility, it can transform the product design cycle, in terms of reduced time and cost. There are various tools that are available like NI LabView, MATLAB/SIMULINK, Multisim, Orcad, and so forth. In looking to understand the best solution for gaining the engineering knowledge practically, it is necessary to have knowledge of simulation. Laboratories can be expensive and time-consuming and difficult to understand [1]. The purpose is to use electronics simulation tool such as Proteus VSM for engineering education program. In many applications, dc-dc converters are used to produce a regulated voltage or current [2, 3]. In many applications solar PV modules were developed for power satellites in space program, battery chargers, and distributed power systems. In high power applications parallel connected converters are used to provide power [4–6]. The interfacing of PV modules with buck converter and boost converter was developed [7]. In closed loop, the feedback signal to the microcontroller is designed to maintain the output voltage level constant [8]. In many dc-dc converter circuits, the power device selections are very important. The parameters greatly affect the maximum switching frequency of the converter and how much is the current; the converter can be designed for these purposes [9].