20

CHAPTER 2

DESIGN AND MODELLING OF THE SOLAR

WATER PUMPING SYSTEM

There are many factors to be considered while designing a solar

pumping system. This chapter provides the information to select a pump,
controller, sensors, solar array, wiring, and piping for the solar pumping
system. A simple solar water-pumping system that is installed for a pumping
operation includes the PV array, the controller, the pump, and accessories.
The size of the array and the pump will be determined by several factors. In
this chapter, the methodology used to determine the size of the system is
described.

2.1 DESIGN PROCESS OF THE SYSTEM

The design process of the SPVWPS is broken down into various

steps. The necessary steps and key components needed to design and build a
pump using photovoltaic system was examined by Abu-Aligah (2011). First,
the design has to begin with the water required for different crops over a
period of time and the water source where the pump can be installed. Second,
if necessary, designing a water storage system to store the water to supply
during insufficient delivery of water by the SPVWPS. Third, analyzing the
solar insolation level in the particular location and the placing of the solar
panels in the direction of the direct sunlight for the maximum time possible,
in the case of a fixed tracking system. Fourth, calculating the daily flow rate
of the pump to deliver water for irrigation over a period of time. Fifth,
 21

calculating the total dynamic head for the pump to operate. Sixth, selecting
the pump to meet the daily flow rate and to deliver the required water for the
period of time (Martin & Gilley 1993). Seventh, selecting the solar array size
of the WPS based on the power requirement of the pump. The description of
different components of solar-powered water pump systems, their important
planning considerations and general guidance on designing a solar-powered
water pump system was reviewed by Morales & Busch (2010).

Figure 2.1 shows the layout of the SPVWPS, which indicates the
different parameters required for sizing the solar PV array and the pump. The
technical design procedure on photovoltaic water pumping system for
irrigation of GORGAN’s farm fields was analysed by Alireza & Asghar
(2013).

Courtesy: http://www.hydratelife.org

Figure 2.1 Layout of the solar water pump

 22

2.1.1 Selection of the Water Source

The type of water source and its location relative to the places
where the water is to be provided defines the configuration of the watering
system. The water source will either be subsurface (well) or surface (pond,
stream, or spring). Wells are preferable because of the improved water quality
and consistency. However, wells are expensive to drill, particularly where
water tables are deep. Surface water sources may vary seasonally, such that
the amount and quality of the water is low during the summer when it is
needed most.

For wells, the following needs to be determined:

Static water level

Seasonal depth variations

Recovery rate and

Water quality

This information may be obtained by the well driller for a new well.
For most wells, water quality is not an issue if not used for human
consumption.

For surface water sources, the following needs to be determined:

Seasonal variations and

Water quality, including presence of silt, organic debris, etc.

2.1.2 Water Storage

The size and cost of the water storage system will depend on the
amount of water required per day. AC pumping systems connected to a utility
 23

power grid are generally designed to run on demand with a specified flow
rate. Unlike grid-tied systems, solar pumping systems are designed to provide
a certain quantity of water per day. Water is pumped during sunlight hours
and stored in a tank.

The daily requirement is simply the total of all water required

during a 24-hour period. Tanks are used to store water for use during the night
or periods of cloudy weather and are usually large enough to hold three to five
days of daily water output. For agricultural use, a large amount of water has to
be supplied on a periodic basis. Hence, the system should have a tank large
enough to hold at least one and half times the required limit.

2.1.3 Solar Insolation and Panel Installation

The site of the water source must be evaluated for its suitability in
installing the solar-powered water pumping system.

The following are the specific issues to be addressed:

The solar panels require a south facing location with no

significant shading,

Locations must be found for the water pump (surface),

controllers, storage tank and other system components,

The solar array should be as close to the pump as possible to

minimize the wire size and installation cost,

If batteries are to be used, they must be placed in a reasonably

dry/temperature controlled location with proper venting, and

If year-round water is required, freeze-proofing issues must be

addressed. A heated area is preferred for water storage and
pressure tanks. It is not economical to use PV to run a
resistance heater in the winter.
 24

2.1.4 Design of the Flow Rate of the Pump

Most of the crops cultivated in India use 3000 m3/ha to

20000 m3/ha of water. Table 2.1 shows the water requirement of the various
seasonal crops in India. In this chapter, the water needs for rice cultivation in
an area of 1 ha (2.47 acres) for 120 days is considered, which is 46 m3/ha/day.
Hence, the water required for an average of 120 days is 5,600 m3/ha/day
(120×5600 m3/ha) or 56,00,000 L/ha for the entire cultivating period.

Table 2.1 Water requirement of seasonal crops

Growing period Water needed for the Range

Crop
(days) growing period (mm) (m3/ha)
Rice 90-150 450-700 4,800-6,500
Barley/Oats/Wheat 120-150 450-650 3,300-5,800
Maize grain 125-180 500-800 3,200-4,100
Onion 150-210 350-550 3,500-5,000
Potato 105-145 500-700 3,500-4,500
Cabbage 120-140 350-500 3,500-4,800
Sugarcane 270-365 1500-2500 10,000-18,000
Banana 300-365 1200-2200 10,000-16,000

The water required is for the complete growing period = 5600 ×

1000 L/ha per 120 days

Daily flow rate = 5600 × 1000 / 120 = 46667 L/ha/day

Flow rate per minute = 46667 / (5.3 × 60) = 146 L/ha/min

Flow rate per second = 146 / 60 = 2.44 L/ha/s

 25

2.1.5 Total Dynamic Head (TDH) for the Pump

Figure 2.2 depicts the head pressure that a well pump works
against, which is called the total dynamic head (TDH).

Courtesy: http://www.siliconsolar.com

Figure 2.2 Total dynamic head for the pump

The two factors required for calculating the TDH are the desired
flow rate and the total amount of lift required.

Flow Rate

It is the volume of fluid, which passes per unit time.

Vertical Lift

Submersible well pumps provide lift to overcome head pressure.

TDH = Pumping Level + Vertical Rise + Friction Loss

 26

For a deep well,

The static water level (SWL) to ground level is 45 m.

The height from the well ground level to the inlet of the storage
tank is 1.2 m.

The height from ground to storage tank is 1 m.

Equation (2.1) gives the Darcy-Weisbach equation for calculating

the head loss,

l v2
h (2.1)
d 2g
h

where, h is the head loss due to friction (m), l is the length of the pipe (m),
and dh is the hydraulic diameter of the pipe (for a pipe of circular section, this
is the internal diameter of the pipe) (m), v is the average flow velocity,
experimentally measured as the volumetric flow rate per unit cross-sectional
wetted area (m/s), g is the local acceleration due to gravity (m/s2), and f is a
dimensionless parameter called the Darcy friction factor.

For laminar flow,

64
f ; Re is the Reynolds Number (2.2)
R
e

For Turbulent flow,

Re > 3000 (2.3)

Darcy friction loss calculation for a 1 inch pipe is 40.76 m.

 27

Darcy friction loss calculation for a 1.25 inch pipe is 14.18 m.

Therefore, the TDH of the SPVWPS (for a 1 inch pipe) = 45 + 1.2

+ 1 + 40.76 88 m, and the TDH of the SPVWPS (for a 1.25 inch pipe) = 45
+ 1.2 + 1 + 14.18 60 m.

2.1.6 Pump Selection and Associated Power Requirement

The pump is selected considering the induction motor and BLDC

motor pump to deliver the water. Table 2.2 gives the rating selected for
operating the solar pump to deliver 47000 L/day.

Table 2.2 Selection of power rating of the solar pump

Type of motor Phase Power Voltage Current PV array

Induction Motor 3 Ph 1 HP 300 V 5A 900 Wp
BLDC Motor 3 Ph 1 HP 300 V 4.3 A 900 Wp

2.1.7 Sizing of the PV Array

PV arrays are installed so that they maximize the amount of direct

exposure to the sun. This means placing the array in an area clear of shading
from buildings and trees, in a southward direction, and at an angle equal to the
latitude of the location. The PV array is specified in terms of wattage and
voltage. It is a standard procedure to increase the specified wattage by 25%
(multiply by 1.25) to compensate for power losses due to high heat, dust,
aging, etc.
 28

The total power of the PV array is (300 × 4.3) = 1290 Wp for the
BLDC water pumping system. For this work, SOLKAR make panels are used.
Table 2.3 provides the specifications of this panel at standard test conditions
(STC), that is, irradiation level G = 1000 W/m2; temperature T = 25oC; air
mass AM = 1.5 are given in Appendix A1.1 and Appendix A1.2.

Table 2.3 Specifications of SOLKAR PV Panel at STC

Parameters Values

Rated Power (Pmax) 37.08 W

Voltage at Maximum power (Vmax) 16.56 V

Current at Maximum power (Imax) 2.25 A

Open circuit voltage (Voc) 21.24 V

Short circuit current (Isc) 2.55 A
No. of series cells (Ns) 36

Array Size (Nss × Npp) 20 × 2

2.2 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

Figure 2.3 shows the various components of the system, which

includes the solar PV array, a boost converter that acts as the MPPT, a three-
phase full bridge inverter and the AC motor, which drives the centrifugal
water pump. A unique step-by-step procedure for the simulation of
photovoltaic modules with Matlab/Simulink was presented by Pandiarajan &
Ranganath Muthu (2011).
 29

Figure 2.3 Block diagram of the solar photovoltaic water pumping system

A solar photovoltaic (SPV) water pumping system consists of the

following components (Pandiarajan et al 2011):

a. PV Array:

Selecting a suitable array size based on the load requirement,

here in this case an AC motor operating a centrifugal or
helical pump.

Should be mounted on a suitable structure with a provision of

tracking the sun or with a fixed tilted position to obtain the
optimum incidence of sunlight over the array panels.

b. Controllers:

Selecting power converters to convert the electrical power

from the SPV array to the load effectively. To convert and
obtain the maximum power, the Maximum Power Point
Tracker (MPPT) is used.
 30

Selecting the appropriate power converters such as the DC-AC

converter (inverters) to transfer the power from the MPPT to
the AC motor.

Control unit to track the PV voltage and current to meet the

reference value and to have a simplified control of the AC
motor to deliver constant throughput.

c. Motor Pump Set (surface or submersible):

D.C. motor pump set (with brushes or brushless D.C.)

A.C. motor pump set with a suitable inverter. Here the AC

motor that can be used are the induction motor, synchronous
motor, or a BLDC motor.

2.3 MODELLING OF THE PV ARRAY

Figure 2.4 shows the electrical equivalent model of a PV cell

(Pandiarajan et al 2012). A group of SPV cells forms the PV power
generation system (Sko il & Donsión 2004). There are different sizes of PV
modules commercially available typically sized at different wattage levels.
Usually, a number of PV modules are combined as an array to meet energy
demands. Easy and accurate method of modeling photovoltaic arrays was
presented by (Villalva et al 2009). The method proposed by them was used to
obtain the parameters of the array model.

The size of system selected for the proposed system is 740 W. Each
module provides a maximum power of 37 W. Therefore, the proposed system
requires 20 PV panels. The following equations are used for the mathematical
modelling of a single PV panel (Keshavani et al 2014). Equation (2.4) gives
the output current from PV panel.
 31

I pv I
ph
ID I
sh
(2.4)

Rse
I

Ish
Isc
D
RL
Rsh V

Figure 2.4 Equivalent circuit model of the PV cell

Equation (2.5) gives the photon generated current of the PV panel, Iph.

G
I K T Tn I pvn (2.5)
ph i Gn

Equation (2.6) gives the calculated current through the diode.

Vpv IpvRse V 1
ID Ir e ta
(2.6)

K T Tn I scn
Ir i (2.7)
K v T Tn Vocn Vta 1
e

The above equations are used for modelling of a single PV panel.

For modelling an array consisting of Nss number of panels in series, as shown
in Figure 2.5 and Npp number of panels in parallel, as shown in Figure 2.6 is
used, Equation (2.7) can be rewritten as Equation (2.8).
 32

Nss N
Vpv IpvRse Vpv IPVRse ss
Npp Npp (2.8)
IPV I Npp Ir Npp exp 1
ph Vt Nss Nss
R
sh N
pp

V1 V2 V3 V... V20

Figure 2.5 SPV panels connected in series to meet the voltage

requirement

V1 V2 V3 V… V20
I1

I=I1+I2
V1 V2 V3 V… V20
I2

Figure 2.6 Solar PV panels connected in series and in parallel to meet

both current and voltage requirements

For the control of speed, the electric motor rating is selected to have
a DC voltage of 400 V. To supply the required power to the motor from the
PV system, 20 PV panels are connected in series to provide (16.5 V × 20)
330 V to the MPPT. The MPPT provides the rated supply voltage for the
 33

motor to operate (Abdulkadir et al 2012). Figure 2.7 shows the characteristics

of the PV array. The MATLAB models are given in the Appendix A1.3,
Appendix A1.4 and Appendix A1.5.

Figure 2.7 Simulated characteristics of the PV array

2.4 DESIGN OF THE MPP TRACKER

Figure 2.8 shows a boost converter with a switching period of T

and a duty cycle of D (Amrani 2013). Hua and Shen (1998) investigated the
maximum power tracking algorithms on different DC/DC converter and
formulated a simple method which combines a discrete time control and a PI
compensator to track the maximum power points (MPPs) of the solar array.

Assuming continuous conduction mode of operation, Equation

(2.9) gives the operation of the converter when the main switch is ON.

di L 1
(V )
dt L in ,0 t dT, Q : ON (2.9)
dv o 1 Vo
( )
dt C R
 34

+ vL –
iL iD Iout
iin
L
+ +
S C V
Vin iC o
–
–

Figure 2.8 MPP Tracker or DC – DC boost converter

Equation (2.10) gives the operation of the converter when the main
switch is OFF.

diL 1
(V Vo )
dt L in , dT t T, Q : OFF (2.10)
dVo 1 (i Vo )
dt C L R

Equation (2.11) gives the duty cycle of the boost converter, which
is varied by the MPPT algorithm by comparing the PV cell voltage and
current.

V
in(min)
D 1 (2.11)
Vo

where, D is the duty cycle, Vin(min) is the minimum input voltage (this will lead
to the maximum switch current), Vo is the desired output voltage, and is the
efficiency of the converter.

Selecting the inductor is one of the most crucial components in

designing the MPPT. The higher the inductor value, the higher is the
 35

maximum possible output current because of the reduced ripple current.

Equation (2.12) gives the formula for calculating the value of the inductor of
the boost converter,

V (Vo V
in in)
L (2.12)
IL f Vo
s

where, L is the inductance (H), V in is the typical input voltage, fs is the

minimum switching frequency of the converter, and IL is the estimated
inductor ripple current

A good estimation of the inductor ripple current is 20% to 40% of

the output current. A smaller ripple reduces the magnetic hysteresis losses in
the inductor, as well as output voltage ripple and EMI, but the regulation time
increases as the load changes. In addition, a larger inductor increases the total
system costs (Rashid et al 2011). Equations (2.13) and (2.14) give the
calculation of the inductor current,

Vo
IL (0.2 to 0.4) I (2.13)
out(max) V
in

IL
I
out(max)
I
LIM(min)
(1 D) (2.14)
2

where, ILIM(min) is the minimum value of the current limit of the switch. The
minimum value of the output capacitor of the converter is calculated by
Equation (2.15),

I D
out(max)
Cout(min) (2.15)
fs Vo
 36

where, Cout(min) is the minimum output capacitance required, Iout(max) is the

maximum output current for the desired application, and Vo is the desired
output voltage ripple.

2.5 SELECTION OF THE MPPT ALGORITHM

A typical solar panel converts only 30 to 40 percent of the incident

solar irradiation into electrical energy. Maximum power point tracking
technique improves the efficiency of the solar panel. Kim & Krein (2010)
examined a variety of configurations using photovoltaic (PV) boost converter
modules for maximum power point operation. The modules were locally
controlled with maximum power point tracking to provide a good solution
with simple control of the PV converter module.

According to the Maximum Power Transfer theorem, the power

output of a circuit is maximum when the Thevenin impedance of the circuit
(source impedance) matches with the load impedance. Hence, our problem of
tracking the maximum power point reduces to an impedance matching
problem. A detailed comparative study between two most popular algorithms
technique, which is incremental conductance algorithm and perturb and
observe algorithm was performed by Zainudin & Mekhilef (2010). The
method was tested studied and tested on three different converter buck, boost
and Cuk converter.

The boost converter shown in Figure 2.9 is chosen as the MPPT

converter to match the load resistance with the source resistance, as seen by
the source, by varying its duty cycle for the changes in environmental
conditions. The change in irradiance levels causes the change in the internal
resistance of the PV panel. Hence, for every change, the duty cycle of the
MPPT has to be chosen properly to adjust the resistance of the converter.
 37

Figure 2.9 Block diagram of the MPPT controller

The MPPT controller generates the reference voltage from the PV

voltage and PV current (Masoum et al 2002). This reference voltage is
compared with the actual PV voltage and the error signal is given as the input
to the PI controller to minimize the error within the limits of control. The
output of the PI controller gives the reference DC voltage (Durgadevi &
Arulselvi 2012). The generated DC voltage is then given to the PWM
modulator, which compares the controller error with a high frequency
triangular carrier wave (Jiang et al 2005).

a) Perturb and Observe (P&O) Algorithm

A slight perturbation is introduced in this algorithm. The

perturbation causes the power of the solar module to change. If the power
increases due to the perturbation, the perturbations continue in the same
direction. The power at the next instant decreases after the peak power is
reached, and after that, the perturbation reverses. The algorithm, as shown in
Figure 2.10, oscillates around the peak point when the steady state is reached.
The magnitude of the perturbation is kept very small in order to keep the
power variation small.
 38

Figure 2.10 MPPT algorithm for perturb and observe (P&O) technique

The algorithm is developed in such a manner that it sets a reference

voltage for the module corresponding to the peak voltage of the module. A PI
controller is used to move the operating point of the module to that particular
voltage level. It is observed that there is some power loss due to the
perturbation and the MPPT controller fails to track the power under highly
varying atmospheric conditions. Still, this algorithm is very popular because
of its simplicity.

b) Incremental Conductance (INC) Algorithm

The Incremental Conductance (IC) method, shown in Figure 2.11,

overcomes the disadvantage of the perturb and observe method for tracking
 39

the peak power under highly varying atmospheric conditions. This method
can determine whether the MPPT has reached the MPP and stops perturbing
the operating point. If this condition is not met, the direction in which the
MPPT operating point must be perturbed is calculated using the relationship
between dI/dV and –I/V.

Figure 2.11 MPPT algorithm for the incremental conductance (INC)

MPPT technique

This relationship is derived from the fact that dP/dV is negative

when the MPPT is to the right of the MPP and positive when it is to the left of
the MPP. This algorithm determines when the MPPT has reached the MPP,
whereas P&O oscillates around the MPP. This is clearly an advantage over
P&O. In addition, INC algorithm can track rapidly increasing and decreasing
irradiance conditions with a higher accuracy than the P&O method. The
 40

disadvantage of this algorithm is that it is more complex when compared to

P&O algorithm.

2.6 SELECTION OF THE MPPT ALGORITHM FOR

IMPLEMENTATION

The choice of the algorithm depends on the complexity the algorithm takes to
track the MPP, implementation cost and the ease of implementation.

Table 2.4 Characteristics of MPPT techniques

MPPT Convergence Implementation Periodic Sensed

technique Speed Complexity Turning Parameters
Perturb and
Varies Low No Voltage
Observe
Incremental Voltage,
Varies Medium No
Conductance Current

The advantages of the IC method over the P&O method are:

Incremental method can calculate the direction, for which the

array’s point changes for reaching the MPP,

Incremental method determines precisely when the MPP is

reached,

Incremental method does not oscillate about the MPP once it

reaches it,

Incremental method does not go in the wrong direction when

conditions in the system changes rapidly.
 41

However, the P&O method does not take account of the rapid
change of irradiation level (due to which MPPT changes). It considers it as a
change in MPP due to perturbation, and ends up calculating the wrong MPP.
To avoid this problem, the incremental conductance method was used as
MPPT algorithm.

2.7 MATHEMATICAL MODELLING OF THE INDUCTION

MOTOR

The voltage and torque equations that describe the dynamic

behavior of an induction motor are time-varying. It is successfully used to
solve such differential equations and it may involve some complexity. A
change of variables can be used to reduce the complexity of these equations
by eliminating all time-varying inductances, due to electric circuits in relative
motion, from the voltage equations of the machine (Batool & Ahmad 2013).

By this approach, a polyphase winding can be reduced to a set of

two-phase windings (q-d) with their magnetic axes formed in quadrature, as
shown in Figure 2.12. Filho & Souza (1997) presented a more comprehensive
three-phase induction motor dynamic mathematical model mainly those
including fast motor speed changes, intermittent loading and in case of motors
fed from nonsinusoidal voltages contributing to the energy conservation and
power quality subjects. Also a step-by-step Matlab/Simulink implementation
of an induction machine using dq0 axis transformations of the stator and rotor
variables in the arbitrary reference frame was formulated by Ratnani &
Thosar (2014). The stator and the rotor variables (voltages, currents and flux
linkages) of an induction machine are transferred to a reference frame, which
may rotate at any angular velocity or remain stationary. Such a frame of
reference is commonly known in the generalized machine analysis as an
arbitrary reference frame.
 42

Figure 2.12 The dq0 equivalent circuit of an induction motor

The dynamic analysis of symmetrical induction machines in the

arbitrary reference frame has been intensively used as a standard simulation
approach. From this approach, any particular mode of operation may then be
developed. The model equations are derived from the dq0 equivalent circuit
of the induction machine shown in Figure 2.12. The flux linkages equations
associated with this circuit can be found by
Equations (2.16) to (2.19).

V + (2.16)

V + ( ) (2.17)

( )
V + (2.18)

( )
V + (2.19)

Where,
 43

=X + (2.20)

=X + (2.21)

X = (2.22)

Substituting the values of the flux linkages from Equation (2.16) to

Equation (2.19), the currents can be found by Equations (2.23) to
Equation (2.26).

I = (2.23)

I = [ ] (2.24)

I = (2.25)

I = [ ] (2.26)

Based on the Equations (2.23) to (2.26), the torque and rotor speed
can be determined Equation (2.27) and Equation (2.28) respectively,

T = I I (2.27)

= (T T) (2.28)

where, p is the number of poles and J is the moment of inertia (Kg/m2)

For a squirrel cage induction motor, the rotor voltages Vqr and Vdr in
the flux equations are set to zero since the rotor cage bars are shorted. After
 44

deriving the torque and speed equations in term of d-q flux linkages and
currents of the stator, the d-q axis transformation should be applied to the
machine input (stator) voltages.

Equations (2.29), (2.30) and (2.31) express the three-phase stator

voltages of an induction machine under balanced conditions.

V = 2V sin t) (2.29)

V = 2V sin ) (2.30)

V = 2V sin t+ ) (2.31)

These three-phase voltages are transferred to the synchronously

rotating reference frame with only two phases (d-q axis transformation) by
using Equation (2.32).

1 1 1
2 2
V
V
= V (2.32)
V 3 3
0 2 2 V

Then, the direct and quadrature axes voltages are given by Equation (2.33),

V cos sin V
V = V (2.33)
sin cos

The instantaneous values of the stator and rotor currents in the

three-phase system are ultimately calculated using the transformation in
Equations (2.34) and (2.35).

I cos sin I
I = I (2.34)
sin cos
 45

1 0
I 1 3
2 2
I = (2.35)
I 1 3
2 2

2.8 MATHEMATICAL MODELLING OF THE BLDC MOTOR

Modelling of a BLDC motor, shown in Figure 2.13, can be

developed in a similar manner as a three-phase synchronous machine
(Immaneni 2013). Since there is a permanent magnet mounted on the rotor,
some dynamic characteristics are different. Mondal et al (2015) presented a
mathematical model of a three-phase Brushless DC motor based on precise
speed control methodology with ideal Back EMF on MATLAB/Simulink
platform which are based on phase voltage and electromagnetic torque
equation (Shivraj et al 2014).

Figure 2.13 Circuit diagram of the BLDC drive system

 46

A cylindrical rotor and the stator having three-phase windings a, b,

and c are considered. The rotor is a permanent magnet rotor, and hence the air
gap is uniform. The stator has three phases with distributed winding structure
and star connected. Equations (2.36) to (2.38) give the dynamic equations of
phases a, b, and c,

di a di di c
Van Rs L M b M ea (2.36)
dt dt dt

di di c di a
V Rs L b M M e (2.37)
bn dt dt dt b

di c di a di
Vcn Rs L M M b ec (2.38)
dt dt dt

where, L is armature self-inductance (H), M is armature mutual inductance

(H), R is armature resistance ( ); Van, Vbn and Vcn are the terminal phase
voltages (V); ia, ib and ic are motor input current [A]; and ea, eb and ec are
motor back emfs (V).

These are stator three equations, the rotor is a permanent magnet,

and hence does not have any winding. Therefore, the rotor structure not
having any equation. Equations (2.36) – (2.38) can be represented in the form
of a matrix given in Equation (2.39).

Van Rs 0 0 ia L M M ia ea
V
bn
0 Rs 0 i
b
M L M P i
b
e
b
(2.39)
Vcn 0 0 R s ic M M L ic ec

In the BLDC motor, the back emfs are a function of the rotor
position and are at 120° phase angle difference. Hence, Equation (2.39) is
modified to Equations (2.40) - (2.48).
 47

ea Ka fa e k f e k cf c (2.40)
r' b b b 3 r' c 3 r'

di a d(i i )
Van Rs L M b c ea (2.41)
dt dt

di a di
Van Rs L M a ea (2.42)
dt dt

di a
Van Rs ( L - M) ea (2.43)
dt

di a
Van Rs L ea (2.44)
s dt

di
V Rs L b e (2.45)
bn s dt b

di c
Vcn Rs L ec (2.46)
s dt

di
a
Van Rs 0 0 ia dt ea
di
Vbn 0 Rs 0 ib L b eb (2.47)
s dt
Vcn 0 0 R s ic di ec
c
dt

di
a
dt V R 0 0 i e
di an s a a 1
b V 0 R 0 i - e (2.48)
dt bn s b b L
di V 0 0 R i e s
c cn s c c
dt

The three simultaneous differential equations namely,

Equation (2.47) can be solved by any numerical technique. For example,
 48

using the Runga-Kutta fourth order, the the values of ia, ib and ic are obtained
from Equations (2.51) - (2.53).

ea Ka r (2.49)

Pm (ea i a e i ecic ) (2.50)

bb

Pm ea ia e i e ci c ) P
Te bb (2.51)
rm r 2

K a ia K i K cic
Te bb r P (2.52)
r 2

P(K a i a K i K cic )
Te bb (2.53)
2

Equations (2.54) - (2.56) give the equations for the mechanical sub-system.

Jd rm
Te TL rm (2.54)
dt

Jd r r
Te TL (2.55)
P P
dt
2 2

r P 2B
T T (2.56)
dt 2J e L P r

2.9 SOLAR WATER PUMPS

A solar water pump has a mini powerhouse as a major component

and consists of a designed solar array to meet the power requirement of the
pump for a particular application. This system is capable of running all types
of electrical water pumps with applications varying from irrigation to
 49

household demands. Irrigation pumps such as submersible, surface or deep

well can also be coupled with the drip irrigation systems.

A typical solar water pumping system is known by the solar array

size that is required to run the attached pump. A 1000 Wp solar water pump is
capable of drawing and pumping approximately 40,000 litres of water per day
from a source that is up to 10 meters deep. This is sufficient to irrigate about 2
acres of land with regular crops. A 1000 Wp solar water pump helps save up
to Rs. 45,000 in a year, when compared to the use of the diesel-operated
pump.

2.9.1 Selection of Solar Pump Motors

There are currently three pumping configurations commonly

utilized:

i. DC drive with positive displacement pumps: This consists of

four pump technologies:

a) Diaphragm pump driven by a brushed DC motor: Submersible

motor/pump: Example: Shurflo, DivWatt, All Power
Watermax.

b) Helical rotor pump driven by a brushless DC motor:

Submersible motor/pump: Example: Total Energie TSP 1000.

c) Helical rotor pump driven by surface mounted brushed DC

motor: Example: Mono/Orbit pump with DC motor

d) Piston pump driven by surface mounted brushed DC motor:

Example: Reciprocating piston pump.
 50

ii. AC drive powering a submersible induction motor/centrifugal

pump unit: This category consists of ac motor pumps, which are of
submersible induction type

Example: Total Energie TSP 2000, 4000 & 6000 range; Grundfos
SA 1500 and SA 400 which has been utilized extensively in South
Africa but may be phased out in the near future.

iii. Powering the AC drive with a three-phase permanent magnet

synchronous motor:

This category consists of:

a) Positive displacement helical rotor pump: Example: Grundfos

SQ Flex, Lorentz HR range.

b) Centrifugal pump: Example: Grundfos SQ Flex, Lorentz C

range.

iv. Powering the AC drive with a three-phase Brushless DC motor:

This category of motors operates with helical rotor and centrifugal

pumps to deliver water for domestic and agriculture use. They have high
efficiency, low maintenance, longer period of operation over a day and long
life compared to the other motors.

2.9.2 Diesel Pumps

The diesel pumps under review are in the power range of 2 to

12 kW. The diesel pumping systems is based on a helical rotor and a positive
displacement pump (Mono and Orbit elements). The most common diesel
engine configuration is the progressive cavity pump. The diesel engine in
conjunction with a reciprocating pump is a configuration that is used in a
 51

hybrid pumping setup with a wind pump, where the diesel acts as a backup
for the wind pump during periods of low wind or during maintenance work on
the wind tower.

A similar configuration is encountered where the wind pump is

backed-up with an electric submersible pump (fitted underneath the cylinder)
which is powered by a diesel or petrol generator. The submersible pump
remains in the bore-hole and when there is a need for additional water
pumping, then the diesel/petrol generator is taken to site for pumping.

The diesel pumping configuration, which is used as the

comparative case for the PV pumping system, is the progressive cavity pump,
which is a standalone single energy source pumping system and presents the
most efficient diesel pumping configuration. The survey on diesel engines in
the local market identified four different makes of diesel engines. These are
Hatz, Lister (South African manufacture), Kia (India), and Kirloskar (India).

The most common progressive cavity pump elements on the market

are Mono and Orbit. There is a range of elements, which cover the 0 to 200 m
head adequately. The diesel engine system is capable of operating anywhere
for the hydraulic load. For example, a diesel engine system can be designed to
pump over a head of 200 m and deliver 6 m3/h (60 m3 over ten hours). Diesel
pumps are suitable for remote off-grid pumping applications in places where
the water requirement is more than 1,500 m3/day. The ability of a diesel pump
to pump large volumes of water against high heads makes a diesel pump
suitable for large village supplies.

2.10 SUMMARY
 52

The design process explained in this chapter provides the design of

the PV WPS for agriculture use. The TDH is calculated based on the water
source for the irrigation of a rice field. With the calculation of the water
demand and the power rating of the motor selected, PV array sizing was done.
In addition, the design of the MPP Tracker and selection of the MPPT
algorithm for the rapidly changing irradiance level was carried out. The
inverter controlling the power input to the motor was selected based on the
motor rating. The study of the existing diesel system is also provided for the
comparison of the SPV WPS and diesel operated system in the forthcoming
chapters.