| Abstract | This paper presents the performance analysis of a
photovoltaic (PV) energy source driving a Synchronous
Reluctance (SyncRel) motor. The design considerations of the PV
array, suitable for driving a centrifugal pump, are studied. Three
design approaches are proposed at an average insolation of 0.5
kW/m2. These approaches depend upon determining the system
operating point firstly and then maintaining this point on the PV
generator characteristics. Either starting current, maximum
power point or pre-specified voltage regulation is taken into
account in each design approach. It has been found that the
minimum number of cells can be achieved using the second
design approach. A simple control strategy is presented to
improve the system performance based on the PV generator
parameters estimated from the second design approach. The
proposed control strategy has mainly three functions; ensuring a
successful motor starting, maintaining the motor voltage within a
permissible range and forcing the PV array to operate at the
Maximum Power Point (MPP) as possible. A sample of
simulation results is introduced using the SyncRel motor
measured parameters and the estimated parameters of the PV
array |