Comparative Analysis of Arduino-microcontroller based on PWM and MPPT Solar Charge Controller for Stand-alone Solar PV System in Charging Stations of Electric Vehicles

Chan Myae Aung; Ei Mon; Than Than Htike; Hla Myo Tun

doi:10.56741/IISTR.esl.001006

Authors

Chan Myae Aung Yangon Technological University
Ei Mon Yangon Technological University
Than Than Htike Yangon Technological University
Hla Myo Tun
hmt.ytu@gmail.com
Yangon Technological University

Keywords:

Arduino-microcontroller, Real-time Measurement, Arduino Data Logger Shield, Pulse Width Modulation, MPPT

Abstract

This study especially focuses on Arduino-microcontroller based pulse width modulation (PWM) and maximum power point tracking (MPPT) solar charge controller design using buck topology for stand-alone solar photovoltaic (PV) application where the PV output voltage is larger than the load/battery voltage. It consists of the design calculation for solar charge controller, design simulation techniques, construction of the hardware circuit design and modified perturb and observe (P&O) MPPT algorithm by utilizing the variable duty cycle step size. In the PWM solar charge controller design approaches, the fixed duty cycle, D=89% is specified and in the MPPT approaches, the variable duty cycle step size is applied. The design approaches with simulation techniques are also performed by professional circuit IDE (Proteus). After completing the design approaches with simulation techniques, the construction of hardware circuit for both PWM and MPPT is also conducted in the research laboratory of Yangon Technological University (YTU). In this study, the real-time measurement (RTM) technique for practical measurements and their results are offered and compared with the results on simulation techniques. The practical operation, monitoring and recording of data are also executed by using Arduino microcontroller (ATmega328P) with Arduino Data Logger Shield. The comparison results on RTM practical approaches for both PWM and MPPT solar charge controllers are given and their performance specifications are also evaluated. Both of two approaches can safely be used to charge the 12V rechargeable battery in reality. However, RTM practical results confirm that the designed MPPT controller could be improved 9% efficiency than PWM technique. Therefore, the designed MPPT solar charge controller is more efficient than PWM technique and suitable for real world applications in 12V, 100Wp stand-alone PV system.

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Author Biographies

Chan Myae Aung, Yangon Technological University

received his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronic Engineering from Defense Services Technological Academy in 2009, his Master of Science degree in Renewable Energy from Yangon Technological University (YTU) in 2017, respectively. He is now pursuing his Doctoral degree programme in Energy Engineering at YTU and his research interest are Department of Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering of Mechanical Department, Renewable Energy (Solar). He is also working on the Development of a Microcontroller based MPPT Solar Charge Controller for a Stand-alone PV System in Myanmar. His position is Associate Professor. (email: mgchanmyaeaung.ytu@gmail.com).

Ei Mon, Yangon Technological University

received her Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering and Master of Engineeing degree in Mechanical Engineering from Technological University (Hmawbi) in Myanmar. Her also received the PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering from Yangon Technological University in Myanmar. Her research interests are Renewable Energy Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering related research works. She is also working on the Development of a Microcontroller based MPPT Solar Charge Controller for a Stand-alone PV System in Myanmar. His position is Associate Professor. (email: maeimon.ytu@gmail.com).

Than Than Htike, Yangon Technological University

received the degree of B.E. (Mechanical), the degree of M.E (Mechanical), and the degree of Ph.D. (Mechanical) from Yangon Technological University in 1993, 1998, and 2004, respectively. She is the Professor and Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Yangon Technological University. Her research interests are Solid and Structural Engineering, Design, and Manufacturing. (email: mathanthanhtike.ytu@gmail.com).

Hla Myo Tun, Yangon Technological University

is a Leading Pro-Rector for Research and Engineering Higher Education at Yangon Technological University (YTU). He specializes in professional training for Engineering Higher Education leaders, heads of departments, and faculty members. He also directs Research and Development programs for the technology development of Electric Vehicle Research Works and Renewable Energy System Optimizations. (email: hmt.ytu@gmail.com).

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