• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.929-938
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• 2015

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and battery charging control are two important functions for a solar battery charger. The former improves utilization of the available solar energy, while the latter ensures a prolonged battery life. Nevertheless, complete implementation of both functions can be complex and costly, especially for low voltage application such as standalone street lamps. In this paper, the operation of a solar battery charger for standalone street light systems is investigated. Using only one voltage sensor, the solar charger is able to operate in both MPPT and constant voltage (CV) charging mode, hence providing high performance at a low cost. Using a lab prototype and a solar simulator, the operation of the charger system is demonstrated and its performance under varying irradiance is validated.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.118-123
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• 2015

According to the recent report, solar street lamp connected to a non Maximum Power Point Tracking(MPPT) charger, can lead to a system-wide decline in power output with as much as 30%. This paper proposes the charge controller with direct duty ration control for 250W solar street lamp in order to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic from these output power reduction. This paper covers the Pulse Width Modulation(PWM) controller and power conversion topology and analyze the MPPT method for charge controller. The power conversion part consists of push pull converter based on PWM controller using 8bit MCU in order to have lower manufacturing cost. The PWM controller with direct duty ratio control algorithm is constantly tracking the maximum power point of photovoltaic module and increases energy output power. The test results shows 97.1~97.4% MPPT efficiency and the experimental hardware is implemented based on the solar simulator condition for 241W. Thus, the implemented charge controller shows its feasibility for the real application, especially under solar street lamp.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.35-41
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• 2013

Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) allows light transmission and the application of various colors that make it especially suitable for building-integrated PV (BIPV) application. In order to apply DSC module into windows, it has to be panelized: DSC module should be protected with reinforced glass to the entire surface. Up to date, it seems to be common to make double glazing with DSC modules with air gaps between the glasses and the DSC modules. Few research has been conducted on the characteristics of various glazing types with DSC modules. This study aims to analyze the electrical performance of DSC modules according to panelizing method for glazing unit with DSC modules. The prototype of the DSC glazing that applied silicone filler between DSC modules and glasses was developed. The electrical performances of this type of DSC glazing with the filler and rather conventional double glazing with DSC modules were compared. Their performances were measured using a solar simulator that is suitable for DSC performance testing. The results indicated that the electrical performance of the filler type DSC glazing improved by 7% compared to that of the conventional DSC double glazing type.