DESIGN OF A MICROCONTROLLER BASED SOLAR INVERTER
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Abstract
The growing global demand for renewable energy has driven significant advancements in solar energy technology, particularly in photovoltaic (PV) systems and inverters, which convert solargenerated DC into usable AC. Despite progress, traditional inverters face challenges such as inefficiency, high harmonic distortion, and limited adaptability to dynamic environmental conditions.This project aims to design a microcontroller-based solar inverter that integrates
advanced control algorithms like Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) and Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) to enhance efficiency, reliability, and adaptability. By leveraging modern microcontroller technology, the project seeks to improve energy conversion, reduce costs, and address the limitations of conventional designs, contributing to the broader adoption of solar energy systems. The process begins with modeling the photovoltaic (PV) array using Simulink’s Simscape Electrical library, incorporating real-world parameters such as irradiance and temperature to simulate I-V and P-V curves. The MPPT algorithm, specifically the Perturb and Observe (P&O) method, is implemented to optimize power extraction under varying conditions. PWM is generated using a PID controller to regulate the DC-DC boost converter, which steps up the PV voltage. An H-Bridge inverter, controlled by Sinusoidal PWM (SPWM), converts the boosted DC into a clean AC waveform. The complete system integrates the PV array, MPPT, boost converter, and inverter, with simulations conducted to validate performance under diverse environmental and load conditions. This project successfully designed and simulated a microcontroller-based solar inverter system. The PV array, modeled under varying irradiance and temperature conditions, consistently generated around 5300W, operating near its maximum power point. The boost converter efficiently stepped up the PV voltage to 275.1V with over 90% efficiency, while the H-bridge inverter produced a clean 220V AC output with minimal harmonic distortion. System integration demonstrated robust performance under diverse environmental and load conditions, achieving an overall efficiency exceeding 90%.
advanced control algorithms like Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) and Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) to enhance efficiency, reliability, and adaptability. By leveraging modern microcontroller technology, the project seeks to improve energy conversion, reduce costs, and address the limitations of conventional designs, contributing to the broader adoption of solar energy systems. The process begins with modeling the photovoltaic (PV) array using Simulink’s Simscape Electrical library, incorporating real-world parameters such as irradiance and temperature to simulate I-V and P-V curves. The MPPT algorithm, specifically the Perturb and Observe (P&O) method, is implemented to optimize power extraction under varying conditions. PWM is generated using a PID controller to regulate the DC-DC boost converter, which steps up the PV voltage. An H-Bridge inverter, controlled by Sinusoidal PWM (SPWM), converts the boosted DC into a clean AC waveform. The complete system integrates the PV array, MPPT, boost converter, and inverter, with simulations conducted to validate performance under diverse environmental and load conditions. This project successfully designed and simulated a microcontroller-based solar inverter system. The PV array, modeled under varying irradiance and temperature conditions, consistently generated around 5300W, operating near its maximum power point. The boost converter efficiently stepped up the PV voltage to 275.1V with over 90% efficiency, while the H-bridge inverter produced a clean 220V AC output with minimal harmonic distortion. System integration demonstrated robust performance under diverse environmental and load conditions, achieving an overall efficiency exceeding 90%.
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