Chapter 2
Application of MATLAB/SIMULINK
in Solar PV Systems
Learning Objectives
On completion of this chapter, the reader will have knowledge on:
• Basic components of Solar PV system and its merits and demerits.
• Involvement of power electronic devices in Solar PV components.
• MATLAB/SIMULINK model of different control strategies of power
conditioning unit.
• Importance of MATLAB/SIMULINK model in improving the efficiency
of the overall solar PV system.
• Characteristics of Solar PV panel and its MATLAB/SIMULINK model.
• Characteristics and MATLAB/SIMULINK model of Solar PV power
conditioning unit.
MATLAB and Power electronics application ranges from power supplies to robotic
controls, industrial automation, automotive, industrial drives, power quality, and
renewable energy systems. In particular, before the installation of power plant,
MATLAB finds applications in selecting the system based on the requirements and
to choose particular components for the Solar PV application. This chapter is to
explore the role and possibility of MATLAB along with its tool boxes in Solar PV
Systems to promote Modeling, and Simulation with emphasis on Analysis, and
Design. In renewable energy systems applications, MATLAB helps for selecting
the matrix manipulations in the converters to grid inverter, plotting of functions and
data, implementation of MPPT algorithms, creation of user interfaces for monitor-
ing the Solar PV modules and for interfacing with inverters and converters, wherein
which control algorithms would be written in other languages. As a result of the
MATLAB simulation of the components of the solar PV system one can benefit
from this model as a photovoltaic generator in the framework of the MATLAB/
SIMULINK toolbox in the field of solar PV power conversion systems. In addition,
© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015
S. Sumathi et al., Solar PV and Wind Energy Conversion Systems,
Green Energy and Technology, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-14941-7_2
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