Photovoltaic Inverter Reference Book

What is a photovoltaic inverter?

The photovoltaic (PV) inverters are the key interfaces between PV modules and the grid, which are usually classified as with transformer and transformerless. Transformer can be high frequency (HF) on the DC side or line frequency on the AC side besides voltage amplification; it also provides galvanic isolation between PV modules and the grid.

How does a grid tied PV inverter work?

A typical PV grid tied inverter uses a boost stage to boost the voltage from the PV panel such that the inverter can feed current into the grid. The DC bus of the inverter needs to be higher than the maximum grid voltage. Figure 20 illustrates a typical grid tied PV inverter using the macros present on the solar explorer kit. Figure 20.

How does a PV inverter state machine work?

The inverter state machine then sequences to checking for DC voltage. To feed current into the grid the DC voltage (which in case of PV inverters is provided from the panel or panel plus some conditioning circuit), it must be greater than the peak of the AC voltage connected at the output of the inverter.

What are the different types of PV technologies?

Presents a compendium of PV technologies including: crystalline silicon technologies; chalcogenide thin film solar cells; thin-film silicon based PV technologies; organic PV and III-Vs; PV concentrator technologies; space technologies and economics, life-cycle and user aspects of PV technologies.

What should I do if my inverter voltage is too high?

Check if the grid voltage and frequency is within a universal grid value rang. If these are exceeded, trip the inverter. Check if the DC bus is greater than the grid voltage max to ensure that power may be fed from the inverter to the grid. Tune the PR controller according to the measured frequency of the grid on the controller.

How do I check if a ti inverter is grid connected?

TI recommends to use a controlled source at the output, such as an AC power supply to verify grid connected operation. Once the operation is verified, check the functioning of the inverter with direct grid connection. Bias supply to the board is provided by an isolated 15-V supply connected to J2 and S1 in the ON position. Figure 32.