ON THE OPTIMUM DESIGN OF PHOTOVOLTAIC PUMPING PLANTS

ABSTRACT A method for the optimum sizing of a pumping plant powered by photovoltaic generators is presented. Knowing the characteristics of the electric pump and of the hydraulic circuit, the number of solar modules to be connected in series and in parallel, that maximizes the ratio between volume of water pumped per year and total number of elements has been determined. The theoretical results have been checked in laboratory tests on a pilot plant with a 250 W permanent-magnet motor and a centrifugal pump powered by a programmable simulator of p.v. generators.