Performance analysis of a PV-powered health clinic with multi-stage dual priority regulator

The performance of a photovoltaic powered health clinic system designed, built, and evaluated at the University of Lowell is investigated. This system uses two separate batteries, one to power a vaccine refrigerator and the other to power auxiliary loads. The two batteries were sized according to the demand of their loads. The power control system utilizes a five-stage dual priority controller to charge the two separate batteries from a single modular photovoltaic array. The main refrigerator battery always has priority over the auxiliary battery; therefore, the use of auxiliary loads will never jeopardize the reliability of the critical load. This system provides power for auxiliary loads while utilizing the same number of photovoltaic modules as systems which power only a vaccine refrigerator. The performance of this system was evaluated using a data acquisition system, and the experimental results are compared with theoretical values.< >