DIRECT CONNECTION PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM IN MULTI-MOTOR APPLICATION FOR THE RURAL SECTOR

ABSTRACT Photovoltaic pumping systems equipped with variable speed drive have been consolidated as an alternative for water supply in rural locations where energy services are unavailable. Such systems are of the direct connection type and, therefore, it is likely that their operation occurs in two situations: when energy is available and when the reservoir is full or the available energy is insufficient for pumping water. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the shared use of a photovoltaic pumping system equipped with a variable speed drive and the motor load of the agricultural equipment (cassava grater). The tests were performed in the laboratory and subsequently in the field, where data of the grated cassava production was collected in periods when the solar radiation is insufficient to pump the water. The results indicate that water can be pumped at an irradiance higher than 375 W m-2, while the cassava grater can operate at an irradiance starting from 200 W m-2. Thus, we could conclude that the agricultural equipment can be used in a photovoltaic pumping system equipped with a variable speed drive in a complementary way such that, besides optimizing the use of energy, it adds a new functionality to the application through the use of agricultural equipment.