Análise, caracterização e simulação de sistemas fotovoltaicos fotoajustáveis

Abstract

This work aims to deepen the study of the concept of photo-adjustable photovoltaic systems (SSC - Smart Solar Clusters), which rely on the coupling between photovoltaic semiconductor devices (solar cells and photodiodes) and specially designed photoconductors that translate into an inherently automatic and passive control and stabilization of the operating point of a load when this system undergoes variations in its lighting. This is a new concept of current and voltage control in a load connected to a photovoltaic system, being particularly useful for autonomous microsystems and low consumption sensor networks and the possibility of assembling discrete systems with commercial components, or integration with a chip together with those loads. The work methodology is based on three fronts, executed in parallel and connected to each other, the first being based on the development of algorithms for predicting the behavior of the devices used at work, which allow us to verify the operation of these devices in various environmental situations, in addition to specific for the design and analysis of photo-adjustable systems. The second is defined by the characterization of real devices, in order to obtain fundamental parameters for the execution of the developed algorithms. For this stage, a controllable artificial lighting system was developed, in order to give us flexibility in these experimental tests. Finally, we have the design of numerical simulation models in SPICE based on the developed algorithms, for greater simplicity in the operation of these models through a friendly and intuitive graphical interface, in addition to the use of these simulations of photo-adjustable systems with more complex loads, such as loads based on digital devices.

Based on the elements developed, we present case studies to demonstrate the concept and design methodology for photo-adjustable systems based on ordinary devices found on the market or specific ones that can be manufactured. At the end of the path, we want to create a set of tools that allow us to design a photo-adjustable photovoltaic system based on the characteristics of a traditional energy generating device or photovoltaic system and specific operating conditions.