Corsi breve Viterbo 2019: Programma didattico

Modeling, simulation and optimization of circuits and systems for photovoltaic applications

Relatore: Prof. Giovanni Spagnuolo Università degli Studi di Salerno.

Abstract:
Photovoltaic systems have a leading role in the energy transition that will lead to the reduction of the environmental impact due to the use of fossil fuels. The materials used in the production of cells, which realize the conversion of solar energy into electricity, as well as the circuits for conditioning the electric power produced, which is injected into the electric distribution network or recharging a storage system, are strongly non-linear. The topology of the photovoltaic field, the use of bypass and blocking diodes, the presence of partial shading, the integration into pre-existing buildings or structures, aging and parametric drifts lead to significant modeling, simulation, control and optimization problems. The short course aims to provide, in a first part, an analysis of the single- and double-diode models of silicon p-n junctions. These models are also widely adopted for the study of the behavior of photovoltaic generators using crystalline silicon cells, in different operating conditions, even mismatched. In a second part, the main problems related to the simulation of these models are examined, in particular for applications related to diagnosis and model-based control of photovoltaic generators. Subsequently, with reference to a large class of generators, the problem of real-time maximization of the power produced is dealt with. In the photovoltaic case, the optimal operating conditions are determined, both in stationary conditions and in the presence of irradiance variations. Finally, in the last part, topological and circuit solutions are shown that guarantee scalability and maximization of energy production. Examples of commercial products are also discussed.