Grid-connected solar PV home system: modeling, simulation, and performance analysis

Abstract The development of solar photovoltaic (PV) home systems continues to be challenging, particularly in developing countries, where economic and technological constraints persist. This study aims to model a grid-connected solar PV home system using MATLAB/Simulink environment and investigate its performance under varying environmental and load conditions. The system comprises a 2.4 KW PV array connected to a two-stage power conversion system, including a boost DC-DC converter and a single-phase grid-tied inverter. An enhanced perturb and observe (P&O) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm with scanning capability is proposed to address partial shading challenges. Simulation results demonstrate the system’s ability to maintain a stable DC-link voltage of 380 V with minimal ripple (< 2%) and achieve low total harmonic distortion (THD) in voltage (0.16%) and current (2.27%), complying with IEEE standards. The system efficiently manages power flow between the PV array, household loads, and the utility grid, eliminating the need for energy storage and reducing costs. The findings highlight the system’s robustness under partial shading and varying irradiance conditions, demonstrating its suitability for widespread adoption in grid-connected urban homes.