Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
7937278 | Solar Energy | 2016 | 11 Pages |
Abstract
For solar photovoltaic grid-connected generation systems, four inverter configurations are currently available in the market for different power ranges of the required system. However, a power gap exists within the lower range of the commercial power scale, particularly between micro-inverters and string inverters, leaving room for innovation and development of flexible and modular converters in this power range. This paper presents three different isolated multi-source grid-connected PV generation systems based on a single-phase high-frequency link micro-inverter scheme, to evaluate the feasibility for reducing the mentioned power gap by using higher power density systems based on a micro-inverter approach instead of derating the currently available string inverters, which are optimized for higher input voltage and power conditions compared with micro-inverters. Losses estimations, peak and weighted efficiencies are presented for Multiple-Input Multiple-Output, Multiple-Input Single-Output and Single-Input Single-Output generation systems with different number of input power sources. Analysis and discussion for each system are presented, showing that a Multiple-Input Single-Output system scheme presents a feasible alternative to a higher power density converter, reducing the inverter market power gap, with attractive features for renewable energy sources such as modularity and flexibility.
Keywords
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Energy
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Authors
A. Aganza-Torres, V. Cárdenas, M. Pacas, M. González,