The Impact of Photovoltaic Systems on the Performance of Induction Motor in Agricultural Irrigation Applications
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Water is a vital resource in the agricultural sector, as most farmland relies on tubewells for irrigation. Solar photovoltaic pumping systems (SPVPS) have emerged as a promising solution for sustainable agricultural irrigation, providing clean and efficient alternatives to traditional energy sources. However, induction motors used in (SPVPS) suffer from problems including voltage instability, decreased efficiency, overheating, and mechanical stress due to the varying nature of PV electricity. This paper focuses on the analysis of an irrigation system by MATLAB/Simulink simulation environment to analyze the performance of (SPVWPS), which consists of a 22 kW three-phase induction motor connected to a photovoltaic system under the climatic operating conditions of Mosul, Iraq. The results showed that operating the water pump using the solar system led to a decrease in the motor torque by 9% and the motor efficiency decreased by 34.3% compared to when supplied with electrical power from the grid. The results showed that the system achieved its best performance at a peak of the solar irradiance of 860 W/m² and a temperature of 24.6°C, with the induction motor speed reaching 1,317 rpm and a maximum efficiency of 48.4%. The total harmonic distortion (THD) in the rotor current peaked at 184.37% at 24°C before decreasing to approximately 45.3% at higher temperatures. The increased THD is due to a combination of inverter stress, poor waveform quality under thermal load, and high-frequency disturbances caused by variable environmental conditions. It’s a typical challenge in solar-powered motor drives, especially in off-grid or remote agricultural systems. These results effectively contribute to supporting sustainable agricultural practices by ensuring the continuity and efficiency of motor operation.
Authors: Omar Sh. Al-Yozbaky, Raghad Adeeb Othman
Institution: University of Mosul
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7160945150