Efficiency Evaluation of Boost and LLC Resonant Converters for Solar Water Pumping Applications

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Published: Jun 29, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37936/ecti-eec.2026242.262052
Keywords:
Solar Water Pumping System (SWPS) LLC Resonant Converter, Efficiency Analysis stagewise power analysis Boost converter

Main Article Content

Nagma Bee
-Rabindranath Tagore University Raisen India
Dr. Kishor Thakre
Rabindranath Tagore University Raisen India
Dr. Prateek Nigam
Rabindranath Tagore University, Raisen, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Abstract

This paper investigates the feasibility of employing an LLC resonant converter in a high-efficiency Solar Water Pumping System (SWPS) as an alternative to the conventional boost converter stage. The proposed system integrates maximum power point tracking (MPPT), PI-based DC-link regulation, and V/f control of an induction motor to maintain optimal performance under varying solar irradiance conditions. A detailed MATLAB/Simulink model was developed and experimentally validated using an OPAL-RT 4510 hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) platform. The LLC converter operates at 10 kHz, while the motor frequency is varied between 0–50 Hz to track irradiance-dependent reference speeds. Stagewise power flow analysis was conducted at irradiance levels of 1000, 500, and 300 W/m², comparing both boost and LLC topologies. Results indicate that the motor effectively follows the reference speed without overcurrent, and the LLC-based configuration achieves soft switching with a modest efficiency improvement from 85.6% to 87.0% over the conventional boost design. While the LLC approach may involve higher component costs, the study demonstrates its potential to enhance energy conversion efficiency, reduce switching losses, and improve operational reliability, providing insights into next-generation solar pumping solutions.

Article Details

How to Cite
Bee, N. ., Thakre, K., & Nigam, P. . (2026). Efficiency Evaluation of Boost and LLC Resonant Converters for Solar Water Pumping Applications . ECTI Transactions on Electrical Engineering, Electronics, and Communications, 24(2). https://doi.org/10.37936/ecti-eec.2026242.262052
Issue
Vol. 24 No. 2 (2026): Regular Issue (June 2026)
Section
ITC-CSCC 2026
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Author Biographies

Dr. Kishor Thakre, Rabindranath Tagore University Raisen India

Dr. Kishor Thakre Chuen Ling Toh   received his B.E. degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from RGPV Bhopal in 2007. He obtained his M.Tech. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India, in 2009 and 2019, respectively. Thakre has published more than 50 research articles in reputed international journals and conference proceedings indexed in SCI, Scopus, and Web of Science. He actively serves as a reviewer for several prestigious journals, including IEEE Transactions, IET Journals, ITEES Wiley, IJE (Taylor & Francis), and various renowned Elsevier publications such as Renewable Energy, IJEPES, EPSR, and IAES Journal. Currently, he is working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Rabindranath Tagore University, Bhopal. He can be contacted at: kthakre.ee@gmail.com.

 

Dr. Prateek Nigam, Rabindranath Tagore University, Raisen, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Dr. Prateek Nigam        is currently working as an Associate Professor and Head in the Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering in University Institute of Science & Technology, Rabindranath Tagore University, Raisen, Madhya Pradesh, India. He received his Master of Technology from the Department of Electrical Engineering (Specialization in Instrumentation Engineering), IIT Kharagpur, West Bengal, India and Ph.D. from Rabindranath Tagore University, Raisen, Madhya Pradesh, India. He is also a senior member of ISTE, IETE, IEEE, IAENG, ITEEA, IAER, AIIREA, IEDRC and IFERP. He wrote 10 books in various Electrical Engineering/Renewable Energy Fields. He is also having 14 Patents & many SCI/SCOPUS/WoS/Refereed indexed Research Articles in many reputed National/International Journals. His research interests include Renewable Energy, Measurement & Instrumentation, Wireless Communication and Power System Stability.

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