1. Final Year Project Overview
Shane McMorrow

2. Variable Inductance for Solar Power Applications
PV solar cells provide variable power supply
The maximum power transfer theorem shows for maximum power transfer, load impedance should equal the output impedance of the PV panel

3. Variable Inductance for Solar Power Applications
How can Load impedance can be matched to the PV panel impedance ?
For this project a buck converter will be used
By varying the duty cycle of the buck converter the PV panel impedance can be matched to the load impedance

4. Variable Inductance for Solar Power Applications
Why the need for variable Inductance ?
As mentioned above PV solar panels provide variable power supply.
Varying the duty cycle of buck converter, may change the minimum inductance needed to provide continuous conduction.

5. Variable Inductance for Solar Power Applications
A SAG inductor provides the best controllability of it’s inductance for a varying power supply

6. Variable Inductance for Solar Power Applications
Project Goals
Generate SPICE simulations of the buck converter for design purposes (finding out what inductance levels need for varied power supply)
Build and test a Buck Converter that can provide impedance matching, determine ideal L – I characteristics for varied power supply
Simulate a buck converter with SAG inductor using Electromagnetic Transient Programme (EMTP) for a varied power supply
Using these results design the corresponding Buck converter

7. Variable Inductance for Solar Power Applications
Progress
Research
Buck Converters
SAG inductor characteristics.
Impedance matching using duty cycle for Buck Converters
Basic SPICE simulations of a Buck converter