A Single-Stage Bridgeless PFC Charger With Enhanced Power Quality for LEV-Mounted Solar PV Panel
Gaurav Kumar, Bhim Singh
Abstract
Growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) along with solar photovoltaic (PV) has inspired researchers to combine both segments for sustainable future growth. A light electric vehicle (LEV)-mounted PV panel is one such expanding sector. However, very little literature is on onboard charging solutions that have interfaced both grid and solar PV inputs for an LEV-mounted PV panel, leaving room for improvisation. Power factor corrected (PFC) charger presented in this paper focuses on the same and interfaces with grid, PV panel and battery to form a three-port topology. Both grid and PV panel can charge battery independently as well as in synchrony. It aims to improve the total harmonic distortion (THD) of source current in compliance with the IEC 61000-3-2 standard and reduce the total number of components. Small signal modeling along with AC-sweep analysis in PSIM software is employed for controller design for each input. A variable step-size maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique provides perturbation-free output from PV panel in steady state. It is intended to operate optimally even in dynamically challenging situations, including sudden changes in grid voltage, broad variations in output power demand and unexpected disruption in one of the power inputs. Operation of charger is demonstrated by developing a laboratory prototype operating at 500 W output power and yielding 1.2% THD in grid current.