Light-to-Light: PV-Fed LED Lighting Systems

Abstract

This paper discusses the principle of operation, dynamic modeling, and control design for light-to-light (LtL) systems, whose aim is to directly convert the sun irradiation into artificial light. The system discussed in this paper is composed by a photovoltaic (PV) panel, an LED array, a dc-dc converter dedicated to the maximum power point tracking of the PV panel and a dc-dc converter dedicated to drive the LEDs array. A system controller is also included, whose goal is to ensure the matching between the maximum available PV power and the LED power by means of a low-frequency LEDs dimming. An experimental design example is discussed to illustrate the functionalities of the LtL system

Loss distribution analysis of a three-port converter for low-power stand-alone light-to-light systems

“…This allows the sequential separation of the energy flows from the PV source to the battery and from the battery to the LED lighting. As a result, the conventional solution of two cascaded converters [15,16,17] can be combined into a single structure with shared components as shown in Fig. 3a.…”

MOSFET loss evaluation for a low-power StandAlone photovoltaic-LED system

“…An alternative solution to the cascaded configuration is the use of three-port converter topologies (TPC) [3], [4], [5]. Authors claim lower component number, higher efficiency and power density in TPC topologies than in combined separate converters [6], [7]. Nevertheless, many TPC topologies need extra switches and diodes in order to configure the power flow path and to provide controllability [8].…”

Reconfiguration of photovoltaic arrays based on genetic algorithm

“…Such a characteristic makes the PV systems a suitable alternative for mobile applications but also for stand-alone electricity generation in isolated locations [1,2]. Moreover, PV systems have become an interesting alternative for co-generation in urban environments to supply non-critical loads such as office lighting (light-to-light) [3] and residential comfort devices such as air-conditioned plants [3]. On the other hand, attractive feed-in fees provided by some governments, e.g.…”

“…On the other hand, attractive feed-in fees provided by some governments, e.g. Argentina, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Spain, Germany [4], have increased the interest in small PV installations selling power to the grid [1,3]. Such grid-connected PV systems take advantage of unused rooftop and parking lot spaces in urban environments, but they are also subjected to periodic and unavoidable shades over part of the array caused by adjacent buildings, poles, trees and even other PV panels, it producing non-uniform operation conditions [1].…”