Solar PV Battery fed EV System with Regenerative Braking Employing Zeta Converter
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Solar PV Battery fed EV System with Regenerative Braking Employing Zeta Converter
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
The Solar PV Battery-Fed EV System with Regenerative Braking Employing Zeta Converter demonstrates an efficient electric-vehicle powertrain in MATLAB/Simulink.
The model integrates:
A solar photovoltaic source
A P&O MPPT controller
A Zeta DC–DC converter
A rechargeable battery
A six-step voltage-source inverter
A brushless DC motor
Hall-sensor-based commutation
A controlled regenerative braking system
During normal driving, the solar PV source and battery supply power to the motor. During braking, the motor operates as a generator and returns part of the vehicle’s kinetic energy to the battery.
𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
The complete EV drive is divided into four main stages.
Stage | Main Component | Function |
Energy generation | Solar PV panel | Produces electrical power from solar irradiance |
Power conversion | Zeta converter | Regulates the PV output for the DC link |
Energy storage | Battery | Supplies motor power and receives recovered braking energy |
Electric drive | Inverter and BLDC motor | Converts DC power into controlled mechanical motion |
Main model components
PV panel
Voltage and current measurement
P&O MPPT algorithm
Zeta converter
DC-link capacitor
Battery measurement subsystem
Six-switch inverter
BLDC motor
Hall decoder and control logic
Running and braking command logic
PI-based battery-current control
Speed, torque, power, current, and state-of-charge scopes
𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
The important values described in the simulation are summarized below.
Parameter | Value |
PV panel rated power | Approximately 333–335 W |
Voltage at maximum power point | 41.5 V |
Current at maximum power point | Approximately 8 A |
Standard solar irradiance | 1000 W/m² |
PV panel temperature | 25°C |
BLDC motor rated power | Approximately 500 W |
Normal running interval | 0–5 s |
Braking command time | After 5 s |
Regenerative battery current | Approximately −2 A |
Recovered battery power | Approximately 100 W |
Power-system sample time | 5 µs |
Negative battery current during braking indicates that the battery is receiving charging current.
𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬
1. Solar power generation
Solar irradiance and temperature are applied to the PV panel.
The PV panel generates the corresponding voltage and current.
The PV voltage and current are continuously measured.
PV power is calculated and observed through the scope.
2. Maximum power point tracking
The Perturb and Observe MPPT algorithm receives:
PV voltage
PV current
The controller processes these inputs and generates the required duty cycle for the Zeta converter.
3. Zeta converter operation
The MPPT duty cycle is converted into switching pulses.
These pulses operate the semiconductor switch of the Zeta converter.
The converter regulates the PV output before supplying the DC link.
The converter supports effective power transfer over changing PV conditions.
4. Battery integration
The battery is connected to the DC link at the inverter input.
It performs two main functions:
Supplies additional energy during motor operation
Receives recovered energy during regenerative braking
5. BLDC motor operation
The inverter converts DC power into three-phase excitation.
Hall-sensor signals identify the rotor position.
The Hall decoder selects the correct inverter switching sequence.
The BLDC motor develops the required speed and electromagnetic torque.
6. Regenerative braking
A braking command is activated after 5 seconds.
The normal running pulses are disabled.
The braking switching sequence is enabled.
Motor speed begins to decrease.
Electromagnetic torque becomes negative.
The motor behaves as a generator.
Recovered energy flows through the inverter toward the battery.
The battery receives charging current for a short interval.
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲
P&O MPPT control
The P&O MPPT controller adjusts the Zeta converter duty cycle so that the PV panel operates near its maximum power point.
Its main advantages include:
Simple implementation
Low computational complexity
Effective tracking under normal irradiance changes
Direct integration with MATLAB/Simulink converter models
Hall-sensor-based motor control
The BLDC motor produces three Hall-sensor signals.
These signals are used to:
Detect rotor position
Determine the active motor phase sequence
Generate six-step inverter pulses
Maintain proper electronic commutation
Running and braking logic
The control system separates the two operating commands.
Command | Inverter Operation | Energy Direction |
Running command | Motoring switching pattern | PV/battery to BLDC motor |
Braking command | Regenerative switching pattern | BLDC motor to battery |
Logic gates ensure that the normal running and braking pulses are not applied simultaneously.
Battery-current control during braking
The battery current is measured.
It is compared with a reference value.
The resulting error is processed through a PI controller.
The controller output is compared with a carrier waveform.
A regenerative braking pulse is generated.
This pulse is enabled only when the braking command is active.
𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬
The model is tested under two important operating conditions.
Mode 1: Solar PV and battery operation
Under daytime conditions:
Solar irradiance is set to approximately 1000 W/m².
Panel temperature is set to 25°C.
The PV system produces close to its maximum available power.
Both the solar PV source and battery support the BLDC motor.
After 5 seconds, regenerative braking is applied.
Motor torque becomes negative.
Motor speed decreases toward zero.
The battery receives solar energy and recovered braking energy.
Because PV power is already charging or supporting the battery, the isolated effect of regenerative braking may appear small in the battery waveform.
Mode 2: Battery-only operation
To examine regenerative braking more clearly:
Solar irradiance is reduced to a very low value.
PV output becomes nearly zero.
Zeta converter output current becomes nearly zero.
The battery alone supplies the BLDC motor.
Battery state of charge decreases during normal operation.
Braking is applied after 5 seconds.
Motor torque becomes negative.
Inverter input current reverses direction.
Battery current reaches approximately −2 A.
About 100 W of recovered power is temporarily delivered to the battery.
𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧
Performance Item | PV and Battery Mode | Battery-Only Mode |
PV power | Available | Nearly zero |
Motor power source | PV and battery | Battery |
Battery discharge during running | Reduced or shared | Clearly visible |
Motor speed before braking | Maintained near rated operating speed | Maintained near rated operating speed |
Braking after 5 s | Active | Active |
Negative torque | Present | Clearly present |
Regenerative charging effect | Mixed with PV charging | Clearly observable |
Inverter current reversal | May be less distinct | Clearly visible |
Battery charging current | Present briefly | Approximately −2 A |
Recovered power | Small relative to PV contribution | Approximately 100 W |
𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬
The MATLAB/Simulink scopes display the dynamic behavior of the complete system.
PV power
At standard irradiance, the PV panel delivers power close to its rated value.
At very low irradiance, PV power falls close to zero.
This confirms the transition between daytime and battery-only operation.
Rotor speed
The BLDC motor accelerates and operates near its running speed.
At 5 seconds, the braking command is applied.
Motor speed drops rapidly toward zero.
The result confirms successful stopping action.
Electromagnetic torque
Positive torque is produced during normal motoring.
Torque becomes negative when regenerative braking begins.
Negative torque confirms that the motor is opposing rotation and recovering kinetic energy.
Battery state of charge
During battery-only motoring, the state of charge gradually decreases.
During braking, a small upward change can be observed.
The increase occurs because recovered energy is returned to the battery.
Battery current
Battery Current Condition | Meaning |
Positive current | Battery supplies power to the motor |
Near-zero current | Low battery power exchange |
Negative current | Battery receives charging power |
During regenerative braking, the battery current reaches approximately −2 A, showing charging operation.
Battery power
Battery power is positive during discharge.
It becomes negative during regenerative charging.
The recovered power is approximately 100 W for a short duration.
Inverter input current
During normal operation, current flows from the DC link to the motor.
During braking, the current direction reverses.
Negative inverter input current confirms that energy is flowing from the BLDC motor back to the battery.
Zeta converter output current
The converter supplies current when solar energy is available.
Under negligible irradiance, its output approaches zero.
This confirms that the battery becomes the primary power source.
𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲
Measured Variable | Before Braking | During Braking |
Motor operating mode | Motoring | Generating |
Rotor speed | High and stable | Decreases toward zero |
Electromagnetic torque | Positive | Negative |
Inverter input current | Forward direction | Reverse direction |
Battery current | Discharging or shared operation | Charging |
Battery power | Supplies energy | Receives recovered energy |
Battery state of charge | Gradually decreases | Temporarily increases |
Energy direction | Source to motor | Motor to battery |
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬
Complete solar PV–battery EV drivetrain
P&O-based maximum power point tracking
Zeta converter duty-cycle control
Six-step inverter operation
Hall-sensor-based BLDC motor commutation
Separate running and braking commands
PI-controlled regenerative battery current
Daytime and low-irradiance operating modes
Motor speed and torque analysis
Battery state-of-charge monitoring
Bidirectional energy-flow demonstration
Clear regenerative braking waveforms
𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬
Improved energy utilization
Regenerative braking captures part of the kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost as heat.
Extended driving capability
Recovered energy is stored in the battery and can support later acceleration or vehicle operation.
Renewable energy integration
The PV panel reduces dependence on the battery when sufficient solar power is available.
Flexible power flow
The system supports:
PV-to-motor power flow
Battery-to-motor power flow
PV-to-battery charging
Motor-to-battery regenerative power flow
Better system understanding
The model provides individual measurements for:
PV power
Converter current
Inverter current
Battery current
Battery power
State of charge
Motor speed
Electromagnetic torque
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
This MATLAB simulation is useful for studying:
Solar-assisted electric vehicles
BLDC motor drive systems
Regenerative braking control
Renewable energy transportation
Battery charging and discharging behavior
Bidirectional energy management
DC–DC converter control
Hall-sensor-based electronic commutation
Electric mobility power electronics
MATLAB/Simulink EV drivetrain modelling
𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥?
The simulation is suitable for:
Electrical engineering students
Power electronics learners
Control-system researchers
Electric-vehicle engineers
Renewable-energy researchers
MATLAB/Simulink users
BLDC motor-control developers
Battery energy-management researchers
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐝?
Users can study the influence of:
Solar irradiance
PV panel temperature
MPPT duty cycle
Battery state of charge
Motor loading
Braking command timing
Braking-current reference
PI-controller settings
Converter switching
Vehicle deceleration time
Recovered energy
Inverter current reversal
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
The Solar PV Battery-Fed EV System with Regenerative Braking Employing Zeta Converter demonstrates coordinated renewable-energy generation, battery storage, motor control, and braking-energy recovery in MATLAB/Simulink.
The model confirms that:
The P&O algorithm extracts available PV power.
The Zeta converter regulates the solar power delivered to the DC link.
The battery supports the BLDC motor whenever required.
Hall-sensor logic provides correct six-step inverter commutation.
The motor develops positive torque during normal operation.
Torque becomes negative when braking is applied.
The motor’s kinetic energy is converted back into electrical energy.
Negative inverter and battery currents confirm reverse energy flow.
The recovered energy produces short-duration battery charging.
Regenerative braking is most clearly observed during battery-only operation.
Overall, the simulation provides a simple and practical platform for understanding solar-powered EV operation, BLDC motor control, Zeta converter regulation, and regenerative battery charging.
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