Design and Simulation of a Photovoltaic Water Heater

Abstract

In this article, we present the results of simulating a photovoltaic water heating system that utilizes a solar battery to store electrical energy. Through the use of a DC/DC Boost converter, the 300 Wp photovoltaic panel and a 24 V, 200 Ah solar battery provide the power for the 15 Ω thermal resistance. We have considered the electrical power of both energy sources and simulated the temperature of the resistor based on the lighting intensity using thermal models. Using the Orcad-Pspice circuit simulator, we have designed the power system (DC/DC converter) and simulated its operation, taking into account the duty cycle of the PWM signal, the lighting intensity when the photovoltaic panels are supplying power and the battery discharge when it is being used. The results show that the resistances can heat up to 703°C with a power of 300 W. Also, the voltage, current, and efficiency of the DC/DC converter for 1000 W/m2 of radiation are 37.29 V, 7.85 A, and 292.73 W at the input and 72.5 Volt, 4 Am, and 290 Watt at the output. In this case, the DC/DC converter is about 99% efficient. The results demonstrate that the DC/DC converter is operating correctly and that the thermal resistance is heated according to the requirements of the photovoltaic water heater to be implemented in this study.