Final Year Project Overview
Shane McMorrow
Variable Inductance for Solar Power
Applications
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PV solar cells provide variable power supply
The maximum power transfer theorem
shows for maximum power transfer, load
impedance should equal the output
impedance of the PV panel
Variable Inductance for Solar Power
Applications

How can Load impedance can be matched to
the PV panel impedance ?
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For this project a buck converter will be used
By varying the duty cycle of the buck converter
the PV panel impedance can be matched to the
load impedance
Variable Inductance for Solar Power
Applications

Why the need for variable Inductance ?
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As mentioned above PV solar panels provide variable power
supply.
Varying the duty cycle of buck converter, may change the minimum
inductance needed to provide continuous conduction.
Variable Inductance for Solar Power
Applications

A SAG inductor
provides the best
controllability of it’s
inductance for a varying
power supply
http://www.nuigalway.ie/power_electronics/news/sag_inductor.html
Variable Inductance for Solar Power
Applications

Project Goals
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Generate SPICE simulations of the buck converter for design
purposes (finding out what inductance levels need for varied
power supply)
Build and test a Buck Converter that can provide impedance
matching, determine ideal L – I characteristics for varied power
supply
Simulate a buck converter with SAG inductor using
Electromagnetic Transient Programme (EMTP) for a varied power
supply
Using these results design the corresponding Buck converter
Variable Inductance for Solar Power
Applications

Progress
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Research
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Buck Converters
SAG inductor characteristics.
Impedance matching using duty cycle for Buck
Converters
Basic SPICE simulations of a Buck converter