Power management of an off-grid PV inverter system with generators and battery banks

This paper presents a hybrid off-grid power system consisting of two PV Arrays, two generator sets, two charge controllers, two bi-directional inverters and two battery banks. This paper outlines different topologies for optimum energy extraction from solar panels, minimization of generator fuel consumption, and assurance of higher reliability through redundancy. Controller Area Network (CAN) messages are used as the communication interfaces between key components and also as the interface with data monitoring system. This paper also dwells on key challenges of a hybrid off-grid power system such as generator starting, inrush current management, parallel operation of inverters, voltage regulation, load sharing, load shedding, load sequencing, and seamless power source switching. Future possibility of integrating SCADA capabilities to such a hybrid system to realize a smart microgrid is also mentioned in the paper.