Design and development of a novel DC/DC bidirectional converter with dual solar/PV-based snow removal and EV charging functionality

Abstract

Different factors affect solar photovoltaic (PV) systems by decreasing input energy and reducing the conversion efficiency of the system. One of these factors is the effect of snow cover on PV panels, a subject lacking sufficient academic research. This thesis reviews current research for snow removal in solar PV modules and power electronic circuit topologies used. Additionally, it presents the design, analysis and modelling of a smart heating system for solar PV electric vehicle (EV) charging applications. The system is based on a bidirectional buck-boost DC/DC converter that redirects the grid/battery power into heating of the PV modules thus removing snow cover, as well as providing the function of MPPT when required to charge the EV battery. A performance evaluation by simulating and testing the system under various climatic conditions is presented validating the usefulness of the proposed converter to be used in solar PV systems under extreme winter conditions.