Simulation algorithm and validation of a photovoltaic water pumping system model using long-term field data

A photovoltaic (PV) water pumping system has been modelled using TRNSYS considering a power supply, a direct current (DC)/alternating current (AC) inverter, an AC induction motor, a centrifugal pump, a well, a water storage tank, and an overflow protection device. The model emulates actual pumping head curves, uses numerical methods to determine pump-system working points, and includes a storage tank as a component in the system. It simulates PV-powered water pumping systems, constant voltage tracking, voltage frequency modulation, and maximum power point tracking algorithms; variable inverter frequency with variable motor efficiency, variable inverter frequency with constant motor efficiency, and constant inverter frequency with variable motor efficiency algorithms. It also has the facility to calculate the accumulated unused part of the PV energy owing to the pump reaching its maximum capacity limit. Model validation was accomplished by comparing simulated results with both the laboratory measurements and long-term field data from Jordan; good match and accuracy have been achieved.