Implementation of a stand-alone photovoltaic lighting system with maximum power point tracking and high pressure sodium lamp

This paper presents a high-efficiency stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) lighting system which can provide functional illumination based on high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamp. HPS lamp in the system works at very high efficiency with specially designed ballast and ignitor. In order to provide a steady-state operating environment for HPS lamp, a DC-DC converter and a DC-AC inverter are also implemented. A high frequency also remarkably reduces the size and the operating noise of the ballast. Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique is also implemented in this system. Experimental results will show the performances of the photovoltaic lighting system.