INVT GD100-PV Series Inverter used in paddock in South Africa

Abstract: This paper mainly presents INVT GD100-PV series inverter used for the pumps in a paddock in South Africa, different pumps provided different solutions. Engineering practice shows that GD100-PV and booster module are cost-effective solution for living water system. 

Keywords: INVT, Solar pump, GD100-PV, MPPT, Dual power supply, PV power priority

1. Introduction

Nowadays, due to the serious aging of infrastructure, shortage of energy resources, and man-made destruction of power facilities, the power supply capacity in SA cannot meet the needs of the flat segment, and there is a large gap in power and electricity at the same time, and the power shortage problem is getting worse.

Farmers are looking for new energy products, such as photovoltaic energy storage systems, photovoltaic water pump systems, to meet the electricity needs of lighting, TV, refrigerators and water supply systems.

INVT solar pump system uses the inexhaustible solar energy resources, no pollution. This technology has a wide application prospect in remote areas with less water and less electricity.

The system schematic diagram is as below: 

In this system, solar array as a power supply can transfer the solar energy to DC power. The controller converter the DC power to AC power, output to motor pump set for pumping the underground water out.

2. Site conditions and requirements

In the paddock, there is 3AC 380V grid power, but not stable, there are few hours has power in a day. And there are three pumps, two for water storage tank, one for booster. The details are as below:

The water tank pumps run with PV power at day time, and when no sunshine or at night, will run with AC power if necessary. If the water tanks are full the rest PV power will charge the ESS(energy storage system)

And the booster pump is heavy duty, runs with dual AC and PV power, the PV power is on priority.

Solar panels installed in the paddock

Big water tanks and booster pump

3. GD100-PV solution pumps

According to the application control requirement and power supply situation, different solution are provided.

1)System configuration for water tank 1, 2.2kW system:

2)System configuration for booster pump, 4kW system:

3)System configuration for water tank 2:

4)GD100-PV control panel and site pictures

Water tank 1 control panel

Booster pump and control panel

Water tank 2 control panel + ESS

4. Advantages

• MPPT based controller with 99.9% tracking efficiency;

• Dual power source: PV + AC input, PV power in priority;

• All day Run-Stop-Restart management with various self-protection features;

• Pump control function: water level control, dry run protection, lower sunshine protection;

• Easy to install and commissioning;

5. Conclusion

After commissioning, the three systems can met the requirement of the paddock water supply, and all the protection functions are operating normally. The customer is very satisfied.

INVT GD100-PV series MPPT based solar pump controller is very easy to install and commissioning and the performance is excellent. It’s worthy to promote.