Overview of Single-Phase Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Yang, Yongheng; Blaabjerg, Frede

2015-01-01

A still booming installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems has been witnessed worldwide. It is mainly driven by the demand of “clean” power generation. Grid-connected PV systems will become an even active player in the future mixed power systems, which are linked by a vast of power electronics...

The German experience with grid-connected PV-systems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Erge, T.; Hoffmann, V.U.; Kiefer, K.

2001-01-01

Grid-connected photovoltaics experienced increasing attention in Germany in recent years and are expected to face a major boost at the beginning of the new millennium. Highlights like the German 100,000-Roofs-Solar-Programme, PV programmes at schools financed by utilities and governments (e.g. 'SONNEonline' by PreussenElektra, 'Sonne in der Schule' by BMWi and 'Sonne in der Schule' by Bayernwerk) and large centralised installations of MW size ('Neue Messe Munchen' by Bayernwerk and 'Energiepark Mont-Cenis' by state Nordrhein-Westfalen, Stadtwerke Herne and European Union) count for the potential of grid-connected PV. Today in Germany a typical grid-connected PV installation of 1 kW nominal power produces average annual energy yields of 700 kWh (dependent on location and system components) and shows a high operating availability. The price per kWh from PV installations is still significantly higher than the price for conventional energy, but new funding schemes and cost models (like the large increase of feed-in tariff in Germany due to the Act on Granting Priority to Renewable Energy Sources in 2000) give optimism about the future. (Author)

Design Optimization of Transformerless Grid-Connected PV Inverters Including Reliability

OpenAIRE

Koutroulis, Eftichios; Blaabjerg, Frede

2013-01-01

This paper presents a new methodology for optimal design of transformerless photovoltaic (PV) inverters targeting a cost-effective deployment of grid-connected PV systems. The optimal switching frequency as well as the optimal values and types of the PV inverter components is calculated such that the PV inverter LCOE generated during the PV system lifetime period is minimized. The LCOE is also calculated considering the failure rates of the components, which affect the reliability performance...

Ground-Fault Characteristic Analysis of Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Stations with Neutral Grounding Resistance

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Zheng Li

2017-11-01

Full Text Available A centralized grid-connected photovoltaic (PV station is a widely adopted method of neutral grounding using resistance, which can potentially make pre-existing protection systems invalid and threaten the safety of power grids. Therefore, studying the fault characteristics of grid-connected PV systems and their impact on power-grid protection is of great importance. Based on an analysis of the grid structure of a grid-connected PV system and of the low-voltage ride-through control characteristics of a photovoltaic power supply, this paper proposes a short-circuit calculation model and a fault-calculation method for this kind of system. With respect to the change of system parameters, particularly the resistance connected to the neutral point, and the possible impact on protective actions, this paper achieves the general rule of short-circuit current characteristics through a simulation, which provides a reference for devising protection configurations.

Design optimization of transformerless grid-connected PV inverters including reliability

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Koutroulis, Eftichios; Blaabjerg, Frede

2012-01-01

Of the Electricity (LCOE) generated during the PV system lifetime period is minimized. The LCOE is calculated also considering the failure rates of the components, which affect the reliability performance and lifetime maintenance cost of the PV inverter. A design example is presented, demonstrating that compared...... to the non-optimized PV inverter structures, the PV inverters designed using the proposed optimization methodology exhibit lower total manufacturing and lifetime maintenance cost and inject more energy into the electric-grid and by that minimizing LCOE.......This paper presents a new methodology for optimal design of transformerless Photovoltaic (PV) inverters targeting a cost-effective deployment of grid-connected PV systems. The optimal values and types of the PV inverter components are calculated such that the PV inverter Levelized Cost...

Design Optimization of Transformerless Grid-Connected PV Inverters Including Reliability

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Koutroulis, Eftichios; Blaabjerg, Frede

2013-01-01

such that the PV inverter LCOE generated during the PV system lifetime period is minimized. The LCOE is also calculated considering the failure rates of the components, which affect the reliability performance and lifetime maintenance cost of the PV inverter. A design example is presented, demonstrating...... that compared to the nonoptimized PV inverter structures, the PV inverters designed using the proposed optimization methodology exhibit lower total manufacturing and lifetime maintenance cost and inject more energy into the electric-grid and by that minimizing LCOE.......This paper presents a new methodology for optimal design of transformerless photovoltaic (PV) inverters targeting a cost-effective deployment of grid-connected PV systems. The optimal switching frequency as well as the optimal values and types of the PV inverter components is calculated...

Overview of Grid Codes for Photovoltaic Integration

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Zheng, Qianwei; Li, Jiaming; Ai, Xiaomeng

2017-01-01

The increasing grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power stations might threaten the safety and stability of power system. Therefore, the grid code is developed for PV power stations to ensure the security of PV integrated power systems. In this paper, requirements for PV power integration in differ......The increasing grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power stations might threaten the safety and stability of power system. Therefore, the grid code is developed for PV power stations to ensure the security of PV integrated power systems. In this paper, requirements for PV power integration...

REVIEW ON GRID INTERFACING OF MULTIMEGAWATT PHOTOVOLTAIC INVERTERS

OpenAIRE

Mr. Vilas S. Solanke*; Mr. Naveen Kumar

2016-01-01

This paper presents review on the latest development of control of grid connected photovoltaic energy conversion system. Also this paper present existing systems control algorithm for three-phase and single phase grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system. This paper focuses on one aspect of solar energy, namely grid interfacing of large-scale PV farms. This Grid-connected photovoltaic i.e. PV systems can provide a number of benefits to electric utilities, such as power loss reduction, improve...

Benchmarking of Constant Power Generation Strategies for Single-Phase Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sangwongwanich, Ariya; Yang, Yongheng; Blaabjerg, Frede

2016-01-01

With a still increase of grid-connected Photovoltaic (PV) systems, challenges have been imposed on the grid due to the continuous injection of a large amount of fluctuating PV power, like overloading the grid infrastructure (e.g., transformers) during peak power production periods. Hence, advanced...

Overview of Single-Phase Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems

OpenAIRE

Yang, Yongheng; Blaabjerg, Frede

2015-01-01

A still booming installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems has been witnessed worldwide. It is mainly driven by the demand of “clean” power generation. Grid-connected PV systems will become an even active player in the future mixed power systems, which are linked by a vast of power electronics converters. In order to achieve a reliable and efficient power generation from PV systems, stringent demands have been imposed on the entire PV system. It in return advances the development of powe...

Three-level grid-connected photovoltaic inverter with maximum power point tracking

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tsang, K.M.; Chan, W.L.

2013-01-01

Highlight: ► This paper reports a novel 3-level grid connected photovoltaic inverter. ► The inverter features maximum power point tracking and grid current shaping. ► The inverter can be acted as an active filter and a renewable power source. - Abstract: This paper presents a systematic way of designing control scheme for a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) inverter featuring maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and grid current shaping. Unlike conventional design, only four power switches are required to achieve three output levels and it is not necessary to use any phase-locked-loop circuitry. For the proposed scheme, a simple integral controller has been designed for the tracking of the maximum power point of a PV array based on an improved extremum seeking control method. For the grid-connected inverter, a current loop controller and a voltage loop controller have been designed. The current loop controller is designed to shape the inverter output current while the voltage loop controller can maintain the capacitor voltage at a certain level and provide a reference inverter output current for the PV inverter without affecting the maximum power point of the PV array. Experimental results are included to demonstrate the effectiveness of the tracking and control scheme.

Adaptive fuzzy sliding control of single-phase PV grid-connected inverter.

Science.gov (United States)

Fei, Juntao; Zhu, Yunkai

2017-01-01

In this paper, an adaptive fuzzy sliding mode controller is proposed to control a two-stage single-phase photovoltaic (PV) grid-connected inverter. Two key technologies are discussed in the presented PV system. An incremental conductance method with adaptive step is adopted to track the maximum power point (MPP) by controlling the duty cycle of the controllable power switch of the boost DC-DC converter. An adaptive fuzzy sliding mode controller with an integral sliding surface is developed for the grid-connected inverter where a fuzzy system is used to approach the upper bound of the system nonlinearities. The proposed strategy has strong robustness for the sliding mode control can be designed independently and disturbances can be adaptively compensated. Simulation results of a PV grid-connected system verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, demonstrating the satisfactory robustness and performance.

Dynamic analysis of combined photovoltaic source and synchronous generator connected to power grid

Science.gov (United States)

Mahabal, Divya

In the world of expanding economy and technology, the energy demand is likely to increase even with the global efforts of saving and increasing energy efficiency. Higher oil prices, effects of greenhouse gases, and concerns over other environmental impacts gave way to Distributed Generation (DG). With adequate awareness and support, DG's can meet these rising energy demands at lower prices compared to conventional methods. Extensive research is taking place in different areas like fuel cells, photovoltaic cells, wind turbines, and gas turbines. DG's when connected to a grid increase the overall efficiency of the power grid. It is believed that three-fifth of the world's electricity would account for renewable energy by middle of 21st century. This thesis presents the dynamic analysis of a grid connected photovoltaic (PV) system and synchronous generator. A grid is considered as an infinite bus. The photovol-taic system and synchronous generator act as small scale distributed energy resources. The output of the photovoltaic system depends on the light intensity, temperature, and irradiance levels of sun. The maximum power point tracking and DC/AC converter are also modeled for the photovoltaic system. The PV system is connected to the grid through DC/AC system. Different combinations of PV and synchronous generator are modeled with the grid to study the dynamics of the proposed system. The dynamics of the test system is analyzed by subjecting the system to several disturbances under various conditions. All modules are individually modeled and con-nected using MATLAB/Simulink software package. Results from the study show that, as the penetration of renewable energy sources like PV increases into the power system, the dynamics of the system becomes faster. When considering cases such as load switching, PV cannot deliver more power as the performance of PV depends on environmental conditions. Synchronous generator in power system can produce the required amount of

Repetitive controller for improving grid-connected photovoltaic systems

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Almeida, de P.M.; Duarte, J.L.; Ribeiro, P.F.; Barbosa, P.G.

2014-01-01

This study presents the modelling and design steps of a discrete time recursive repetitive controller (RC) to be used in a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system. It is shown that the linear synchronous reference frame proportional-integral controller, originally designed to control the converter's

Task 5. Grid interconnection of building integrated and other dispersed photovoltaic power systems. Grid-connected photovoltaic power systems: power value and capacity value of PV systems

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Groppi, F.

2002-02-15

This report for the International Energy Agency (IEA) made by Task 5 of the Photovoltaic Power Systems (PVPS) programme takes a look at the power value and capacity value of photovoltaic power systems. The mission of the Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme is to enhance the international collaboration efforts which accelerate the development and deployment of photovoltaic solar energy. Task 5 deals with issues concerning grid-interconnection and dispersed PV power systems. This report summarises the results of a study aimed to assess the benefits that may be obtained when distributed PV production systems are present in a low-voltage grid. The basic aspects concerning the power-value and those related to the capacity-value are discussed. Data obtained from simulations are presented and discussed. A simple concept shows that great variation occurs if varying load patterns are taken into account. The power-value of PV generation in the grid varies instant by instant depending on the current level of power production and on the surrounding load conditions. Although the three case-studies considered do not cover all the possibilities of coupling between PV and loads, the results obtained show a good differentiation among users with PV production which leads to interesting conclusions.

Stability of Grid-Connected PV Inverters with Large Grid Impedance Variation

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Liserre, Marco; Teodorescu, Remus; Blaabjerg, Frede

2004-01-01

Photovoltaic (PV) inverters used in dispersed power generation of houses in the range of 1-5 kW are currently available from several manufactures. However, large grid impedance variation is challenging the control and the grid filter design in terms of stability. In fact the PV systems are well...... suited for loads connected in a great distance to the transformer (long wires) and the situation becomes even more difficult in low-developed remote areas characterized by low power transformers and long distribution wires with high grid impedance. Hence a theoretical analysis is needed because the grid...... impedance variation leads to dynamic and stability problems both in the low frequency range (around the current controller bandwidth frequency) as well as in the high frequency range (around the LCL-filter resonance frequency). In the low frequency range the possible variation of the impedance challenges...

A review of single-phase grid-connected inverters for photovoltaic modules

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kjaer, Soren Baekhoej; Pedersen, John Kim; Blaabjerg, Frede

2005-01-01

-phase grid; 3) whether they utilizes a transformer (either line or high frequency) or not; and 4) the type of grid-connected power stage. Various inverter topologies are presented, compared, and evaluated against demands, lifetime, component ratings, and cost. Finally, some of the topologies are pointed out......This review focuses on inverter technologies for connecting photovoltaic (PV) modules to a single-phase grid. The inverters are categorized into four classifications: 1) the number of power processing stages in cascade; 2) the type of power decoupling between the PV module(s) and the single...

Probability of islanding in utility networks due to grid connected photovoltaic power systems

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Verhoeven, B.

2002-09-15

This report for the International Energy Agency (IEA) made by Task 5 of the Photovoltaic Power Systems (PVPS) programme takes a look at the probability of islanding in utility networks due to grid-connected photovoltaic power systems. The mission of the Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme is to enhance the international collaboration efforts which accelerate the development and deployment of photovoltaic solar energy. Task 5 deals with issues concerning grid-interconnection and distributed PV power systems. This report summarises the results on a study on the probability of islanding in power networks with a high penetration level of grid connected PV-systems. The results are based on measurements performed during one year in a Dutch utility network. The measurements of active and reactive power were taken every second for two years and stored in a computer for off-line analysis. The area examined and its characteristics are described, as are the test set-up and the equipment used. The ratios between load and PV-power are discussed. The general conclusion is that the probability of islanding is virtually zero for low, medium and high penetration levels of PV-systems.

Design optimization of grid-connected PV inverters

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Koutroulis, Eftichios; Blaabjerg, Frede

2011-01-01

The DC/AC inverters are the key elements in grid-connected PV energy production systems. In this paper, new design optimization techniques focused on transformerless (very high efficiency) PV inverters are proposed. They have been developed based on an analysis of the deficiencies of the current......, state-of-the-art PV inverters design technology, which limits the amount of PV energy supplied into the electric grid. The influences of the electric grid regulations and standards and the PV array operational characteristics on the design of grid-connected PV inverters have also been considered....... The simulation results verify that the proposed optimization techniques enable the maximization of the PV energy injected into the electric grid by the optimized PV installation....

Photovoltaic Grid-Connected Modeling and Characterization Based on Experimental Results.

Science.gov (United States)

Humada, Ali M; Hojabri, Mojgan; Sulaiman, Mohd Herwan Bin; Hamada, Hussein M; Ahmed, Mushtaq N

2016-01-01

A grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system operates under fluctuated weather condition has been modeled and characterized based on specific test bed. A mathematical model of a small-scale PV system has been developed mainly for residential usage, and the potential results have been simulated. The proposed PV model based on three PV parameters, which are the photocurrent, IL, the reverse diode saturation current, Io, the ideality factor of diode, n. Accuracy of the proposed model and its parameters evaluated based on different benchmarks. The results showed that the proposed model fitting the experimental results with high accuracy compare to the other models, as well as the I-V characteristic curve. The results of this study can be considered valuable in terms of the installation of a grid-connected PV system in fluctuated climatic conditions.

Evaluation of the Voltage Support Strategies for the Low Voltage Grid Connected PV

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Demirok, Erhan; Sera, Dezso; Teodorescu, Remus

2010-01-01

Admissible range of grid voltage is one of the strictest constraints for the penetration of distributed photovoltaic (PV) generators especially connection to low voltage (LV) public networks. Voltage limits are usually fulfilled either by network reinforcements or limiting of power injections from...... PVs. In order to increase PV penetration level further, new voltage support control functions for individual inverters are required. This paper investigates distributed reactive power regulation and active power curtailment strategies regarding the development of PV connection capacity by evaluation...... of reactive power efforts and requirement of minimum active power curtailment. Furthermore, a small scale experimental setup is built to reflect real grid interaction in the laboratory by achieving critical types of grid (weak and sufficiently stiff)....

Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation for grid-connected performance of integrated distributed PV-ES systems

Science.gov (United States)

Lv, Z. H.; Li, Q.; Huang, R. W.; Liu, H. M.; Liu, D.

2016-08-01

Based on the discussion about topology structure of integrated distributed photovoltaic (PV) power generation system and energy storage (ES) in single or mixed type, this paper focuses on analyzing grid-connected performance of integrated distributed photovoltaic and energy storage (PV-ES) systems, and proposes a comprehensive evaluation index system. Then a multi-level fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method based on grey correlation degree is proposed, and the calculations for weight matrix and fuzzy matrix are presented step by step. Finally, a distributed integrated PV-ES power generation system connected to a 380 V low voltage distribution network is taken as the example, and some suggestions are made based on the evaluation results.

Grid-connected photovoltaic power systems: survey of inverter and related protection equipments

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ishikawa, T

2002-12-15

This report for the International Energy Agency (IEA) made by Task 5 of the Photovoltaic Power Systems (PVPS) programme reports on a survey made on inverter and related protection equipment. The mission of the Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme is to enhance the international collaboration efforts which accelerate the development and deployment of photovoltaic solar energy. Task 5 deals with issues concerning grid-interconnection and distributed PV power systems. This report summarises the data obtained from survey of recent inverter technology and inverter protection equipment for grid interconnected PV systems. The results are based on the surveys using a questionnaire to identify the current status of grid-interconnection inverters. This report is to serve as a reference for those interested in installing grid-connected PV systems, electric utility company personnel, manufacturers and researchers. The results of the survey are presented and discussed. Technical and financial data is reviewed and two appendices provide details on the results obtained and those institutions involved in the survey.

Sensorless Reserved Power Control Strategy for Two-Stage Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sangwongwanich, Ariya; Yang, Yongheng; Blaabjerg, Frede

2016-01-01

Due to still increasing penetration level of grid-connected Photovoltaic (PV) systems, advanced active power control functionalities have been introduced in grid regulations. A reserved power control, where the active power from the PV panels is reserved during operation, is required for grid...... support. In this paper, a cost-effective solution to realize the reserved power control for grid-connected PV systems is proposed. The proposed solution routinely employs a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) control to estimate the available PV power and a Constant Power Generation (CPG) control...... to achieve the power reserve. In this method, the irradiance measurements that have been used in conventional control schemes to estimate the available PV power are not required, and thereby being a sensorless solution. Simulations and experimental tests have been performed on a 3-kW two-stage single...

Passive P-control of a grid-connected photovoltaic inverter

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Meza, C.; Jeltsema, D.; Scherpen, J. M. A.; Biel, D.

2008-01-01

A passive P-controller for a single-phase single-stage grid-connected photovoltaic inverter is presented. Explicit dependance of the PV array parameters on external unpredictable variables such as temperature and solar irradiance is avoided by extending the control scheme with a reference estimator.

Experimental evaluation of 8kW grid-connected photovoltaic system in Egypt

OpenAIRE

Elkholy, A.; Fahmy, F.H.; Abou El-Ela, A.A.; Nafeh, Abd El-Shafy A.; Spea, S.R.

2016-01-01

An experimental observation study of 8 kW grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system that is installed at Electronics Research Institute (ERI), Giza, Egypt (Latitude 30.04°N, Longitude 31.21°E), is presented. This study includes the quality of the electrical power generated and injected into the network. The considered system consists of 28 × 295 Wp multicrystalline PV modules, StecaGrid three-phase 8 kW grid-connected inverter and a Solar-Log 300 PM+ for data acquisition and remote monitoring. ...

Photovoltaic Grid-Connected Modeling and Characterization Based on Experimental Results

Science.gov (United States)

Humada, Ali M.; Hojabri, Mojgan; Sulaiman, Mohd Herwan Bin; Hamada, Hussein M.; Ahmed, Mushtaq N.

2016-01-01

A grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system operates under fluctuated weather condition has been modeled and characterized based on specific test bed. A mathematical model of a small-scale PV system has been developed mainly for residential usage, and the potential results have been simulated. The proposed PV model based on three PV parameters, which are the photocurrent, IL, the reverse diode saturation current, Io, the ideality factor of diode, n. Accuracy of the proposed model and its parameters evaluated based on different benchmarks. The results showed that the proposed model fitting the experimental results with high accuracy compare to the other models, as well as the I-V characteristic curve. The results of this study can be considered valuable in terms of the installation of a grid-connected PV system in fluctuated climatic conditions. PMID:27035575

Development of an Advanced Grid-Connected PV-ECS System Considering Solar Energy Estimation

Science.gov (United States)

Rahman, Md. Habibur; Yamashiro, Susumu; Nakamura, Koichi

In this paper, the development and the performance of a viable distributed grid-connected power generation system of Photovoltaic-Energy Capacitor System (PV-ECS) considering solar energy estimation have been described. Instead of conventional battery Electric Double Layer Capacitors (EDLC) are used as storage device and Photovoltaic (PV) panel to generate power from solar energy. The system can generate power by PV, store energy when the demand of load is low and finally supply the stored energy to load during the period of peak demand. To realize the load leveling function properly the system will also buy power from grid line when load demand is high. Since, the power taken from grid line depends on the PV output power, a procedure has been suggested to estimate the PV output power by calculating solar radiation. In order to set the optimum value of the buy power, a simulation program has also been developed. Performance of the system has been studied for different load patterns in different weather conditions by using the estimated PV output power with the help of the simulation program.

A Review on Current Reference Calculation of Three-Phase Grid-Connected PV Converters under Grid Faults

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Afshari, Ehsan; Moradi, Gholam Reza; Yang, Yongheng

2017-01-01

Unbalanced grid voltage dips may lead to unbalanced non-sinusoidal current injections, dc-link voltage oscillations, and active and/or reactive power oscillations with twice the grid fundamental frequency in three-phase grid-connected Photovoltaic (PV) systems. Double grid frequency oscillations...... of the most important issues that should be coped with for a reliable operation of grid-connected converters under unbalanced grid faults. Accordingly, this paper reviews the existing CRC methods and presents a current reference generation method, which can have 16 unique modes. Issues are also investigated...... at the dc-link of the conventional two-stage PV inverters can further deteriorate the dc-link capacitor, which is one of the most life-limiting components in the system. Proper controls of these converters may efficiently address this problem. In those solutions, Current Reference Calculation (CRC) is one...

A Cost-Effective Power Ramp-Rate Control Strategy for Single-Phase Two-Stage Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sangwongwanich, Ariya; Yang, Yongheng; Blaabjerg, Frede

2016-01-01

In the case of a wide-scale adoption of grid-connected Photovoltaic (PV) systems, more fluctuated power will be injected into the grid due to the intermittency of solar PV energy. A sudden change in the PV power can potentially induce grid voltage fluctuations, and thus challenge the stability......-point. Experiments conducted on a 3-kW single-phase two-stage grid-connected PV system have verified that the proposed solution can accomplish fast dynamics, high accuracy, and high robustness in the power ramp-rate control for PV systems....

Performance of a grid connected PV system used as active filter

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Calleja, Hugo; Jimenez, Humberto

2004-01-01

In this paper, the performance of a grid connected photovoltaic (PV) system used as an active filter is presented. Its main feature is the capability to compensate the reactive and harmonic currents drawn by nonlinear loads while simultaneously injecting into the grid the maximum power available from the cells. The system can also operate as a stand alone active filter. The system was connected to a 1 kW PV array and tested with the loads typically found in households: small motors, personal computers and electronic ballasts. The results show that the system can correct the power factor to values close to unity for all the cases tested, thereby improving the efficiency of the electric energy supply

Operation strategy for a lab-scale grid-connected photovoltaic generation system integrated with battery energy storage

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jou, Hurng-Liahng; Chang, Yi-Hao; Wu, Jinn-Chang; Wu, Kuen-Der

2015-01-01

Highlights: • The operation strategy for grid-connected PV generation system integrated with battery energy storage is proposed. • The PV system is composed of an inverter and two DC-DC converter. • The negative impact of grid-connected PV generation systems on the grid can be alleviated by integrating a battery. • The operation of the developed system can be divided into nine modes. - Abstract: The operation strategy for a lab-scale grid-connected photovoltaic generation system integrated with battery energy storage is proposed in this paper. The photovoltaic generation system is composed of a full-bridge inverter, a DC–DC boost converter, an isolated bidirectional DC–DC converter, a solar cell array and a battery set. Since the battery set acts as an energy buffer to adjust the power generation of the solar cell array, the negative impact on power quality caused by the intermittent and unstable output power from a solar cell array is alleviated, so the penetration rate of the grid-connected photovoltaic generation system is increased. A lab-scale prototype is developed to verify the performance of the system. The experimental results show that it achieves the expected performance

Values and potentials of grid-connected solar photovoltaic applications in Malaysia

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ahmad Hadri Haris; Iszuan Shah Syed Ismail

2006-01-01

Since early 1998, TNB Research Sdn Bhd has been conducting a pilot project to evaluate the performance and economics of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) applications in Malaysia. The project is co-funded by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and Malaysia Electricity Supply Industry Trust Account (MESITA). Currently, research project is being concluded with many valuable findings that would be able to provide the direction for the next solar PV development in Malaysia. In total, six pilot grid-connected solar PV systems were installed, where five are located within Klang Valley area and one in Port Dickson. The systems installation and commissioning were staggered between August 1998 to November 2001. A variety of building type was also selected for the system installation. In addition, various PV systems technologies and configurations were applied with average PV power capacity of 3 kW. These variances provide a good opportunity to assess the actual performances and economics of the solar PV applications under the Malaysian environment. This paper would discuss some of the findings, but with a focus on the values and potentials of the grid-connected solar PV applications in Malaysia

Research on Experiment of Islanding Protection Device of Grid-connected Photovoltaic System Based on RTDS

Science.gov (United States)

Zhou, Ning; Yang, Jia; Cheng, Zheng; Chen, Bo; Su, Yong Chun; Shu, Zhan; Zou, Jin

2017-06-01

Solar photovoltaic power generation is the power generation using solar cell module converting sunlight into DC electric energy. In the paper an equivalent model of solar photovoltaic power generation system is built in RTDS. The main circuit structure of the two-stage PV grid-connected system consists of the DC-DC, DC-AC circuit. The MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) control of the PV array is controlled by adjusting the duty ratio of the DC-DC circuit. The proposed control strategy of constant voltage/constant reactive power (V/Q) control is successfully implemented grid-connected control of the inverter when grid-connected operation. The closed-loop experiment of islanding protection device of photovoltaic power plant on RTDS, verifies the correctness of the simulation model, and the experimental verification can be applied to this type of device.

S4 Grid-Connected Single-Phase Transformerless Inverter for PV Application

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Ardashir, Jaber Fallah; Siwakoti, Yam Prasad; Sabahi, Mehran

2016-01-01

This paper introduces a new single-phase transformerless inverter for grid-connected photovoltaic systems with low leakage current. It consists of four power switches, two diodes, two capacitors and a filter at the output stage. The neutral of the grid is directly connected to the negative terminal...... size, low cost, flexible grounding configuration and higher efficiency. The operating principle and analysis of the proposed circuit are presented in details. Experimental results of a 500 W prototype are demonstrated to validate the proposed topology and the overall concept. The results obtained...... clearly verify the performance of the proposed inverter and its practical application for grid-connected PV systems....

Grid Connected Solar PV System with SEPIC Converter Compared with Parallel Boost Converter Based MPPT

OpenAIRE

Bosco Raj, T. Ajith; Ramesh, R.; Maglin, J. R.; Vaigundamoorthi, M.; William Christopher, I.; Gopinath, C.; Yaashuwanth, C.

2014-01-01

The main objective of this work is to study the behaviour of the solar PV systems and model the efficient Grid-connected solar power system. The DC-DC MPPT circuit using chaotic pulse width modulation has been designed to track maximum power from solar PV module. The conversion efficiency of the proposed MPPT system is increased when CPWM is used as a control scheme. This paper also proposes a simplified multilevel (seven level) inverter for a grid-connected photovoltaic system. The primary g...

Control of Grid Connected Photovoltaic Systems with Microinverters

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Yahya, Abdelhafid; El Fadil, Hassan; Oulcaid, Mustapha

2018-01-01

This paper addresses the problem of controlling grid connected photovoltaic (PV) systems that are driven with microinverters. The systems to be controlled consist of a solar panel, a boost dc–dc converter, a DC link capacitor, a single-phase full-bridge inverter, a filter inductor, and an isolation...... transformer. We seek controllers that are able to simultaneously achieve four control objectives, namely: (i) asymptotic stability of the closed loop control system; (ii) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of the PV module; (iii) tight regulation of the DC bus voltage; and (iv) unity power factor (PF...

Benchmarking of grid fault modes in single-phase grid-connected photovoltaic systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Yang, Yongheng; Blaabjerg, Frede; Zou, Zhixiang

2012-01-01

Pushed by the booming installations of single-phase photovoltaic (PV) systems, the grid demands regarding the integration of PV systems are expected to be modified. Hence, the future PV systems should become more active with functionalities of low voltage ride-through (LVRT) and the grid support...

Analysis and Modeling of Interharmonics from Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sangwongwanich, Ariya; Yang, Yongheng; Sera, Dezso

2018-01-01

The industry of solar Photovoltaic (PV) energy and its exploitation are still booming to enhance the sustainability of the society. When PV systems are connected to the grid, challenging issues should be addressed. One of the challenges is related to interharmonics in PV systems, especially...... with a largescale adoption of PV systems. However, the origins of interharmonics remain unclear, although the impact of interhamonics has been reported in literature. Thus, this paper explores the generation mechanisms of interharmonics in PV systems and its characteristics. The exploration reveals...... that the perturbation from the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm is one of the origins of interharmonics appearing in the grid current. Accordingly, the MPPT controller parameters such as the perturbation step-size and the sampling rate have an inevitable impact on the interharmonic characteristics...

Impact of Rural Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Generation Systems on Power Quality

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Rita Pinto

2016-09-01

Full Text Available Photovoltaic (PV generation systems have been increasingly used to generate electricity from renewable sources, attracting a growing interest. Recently, grid connected PV micro-generation facilities in individual homes have increased due to governmental policies as well as greater attention by industry. As low voltage (LV distribution systems were built to make energy flow in one direction, the power feed-in of PV generation in rural low-voltage grids can influence power quality (PQ as well as facility operation and reliability. This paper presents results on PQ analysis of a real PV generation facility connected to a rural low-voltage grid. Voltage fluctuations and voltage harmonic contents were observed. Statistical analysis shows a negative impact on PQ produced by this PV facility and also that only a small fraction of the energy available during a sunny day is converted, provoking losses of revenue and forcing the converter to work in an undesirable operating mode. We discuss the disturbances imposed upon the grid and their outcome regarding technical and economic viability of the PV system, as well as possible solutions. A low-voltage grid strengthening has been suggested and implemented. After that a new PQ analysis shows an improvement in the impact upon PQ, making this facility economically viable.

The research of SSR which can be restrained by photovoltaic grid connected

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Kuan; Liu, Meng; Zheng, Wei; Li, Yudun; Wang, Xin

2018-02-01

Utilization of photovoltaic power generation has attracted considerable attention, and it is growing rapidly due to its environmental benefits. The series capacitive compensation is needed to be introduced into the lines which could improve the transmission capacity. However, the series capacitive compensation may lead to sub-synchronous resonance(SSR). This paper proposes a method to restrain the SSR based on photovoltaic grid connected which is caused by series capacitive compensation. Sub-synchronous oscillation damping controller (SSDC) is designed based on complex torque coefficient approach, and the SSDC is added to the PV power station’s main controller to damp SSR. IEEE Second benchmark model is used as simulation model based on PSCAD/EMTDC. The results show that the designed SSDC could restrain SSR and improve stability in PV grid connected effectively.

Supervision and control of grid connected PV-Storage systems with the five level diode clamped inverter

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Himour, Kamal; Ghedamsi, Kaci; Berkouk, El Madjid

2014-01-01

Highlights: • Use of battery bank in grid connection photovoltaic system to ensure the energetic autonomy of the system. • Improve the quality of energy by the use of five-level inverter in a grid connection PV generation system. • Control of inverter by fast and simplified space vector pulse width modulation. • Control and supervision of active and reactive power in the grid. - Abstract: This paper aimed to evaluate the use of photovoltaic-battery storage systems to supply electric power in the distribution grid through a multilevel inverter. The proposed system is composed by four PV generators with MPPT (P and O) control, four battery storage systems connected to each capacitor of the DC link and a five level diode clamped inverter connected to the grid by a traditional three phase transformer. The proposed control has a hierarchical structure with both a grid side control level to regulate the power and the current injected to the grid and four input side regulation units. The system operator controls the power production of the four PV generators by sending out reference power signals to each input side regulation unit, the input side regulation units regulate the voltage of each capacitor of the DC link, regulate the voltage and the state of charge of each battery storage system

A grid-connected single-phase photovoltaic micro inverter

Science.gov (United States)

Wen, X. Y.; Lin, P. J.; Chen, Z. C.; Wu, L. J.; Cheng, S. Y.

2017-11-01

In this paper, the topology of a single-phase grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) micro-inverter is proposed. The PV micro-inverter consists of DC-DC stage with high voltage gain boost and DC-AC conversion stage. In the first stage, we apply the active clamp circuit and two voltage multipliers to achieve soft switching technology and high voltage gain. In addition, the flower pollination algorithm (FPA) is employed for the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in the PV module in this stage. The second stage cascades a H-bridge inverter and LCL filter. To feed high quality sinusoidal power into the grid, the software phase lock, outer voltage loop and inner current loop control method are adopted as the control strategy. The performance of the proposed topology is tested by Matlab/Simulink. A PV module with maximum power 300W and maximum power point voltage 40V is applied as the input source. The simulation results indicate that the proposed topology and the control strategy are feasible.

Reliability Oriented Design Tool For the New Generation of Grid Connected PV-Inverters

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sintamarean, Nicolae Cristian; Blaabjerg, Frede; Wang, Huai

2015-01-01

is achieved and is further used as an input to the lifetime model. The proposed reliability-oriented design tool is used to study the impact of mission profile (MP) variation and device degradation (aging) in the PV inverter lifetime. The obtained results indicate that the MP of the field where the PV...... inverter is operating has an important impact (up to 70%) on the converter lifetime expectation, and it should be considered in the design stage to better optimize the converter design margin. In order to have correct lifetime estimation, it is crucial to consider also the device degradation feedback (in......This paper introduces a reliability-oriented design tool for a new generation of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) inverters. The proposed design tool consists of a real field mission profile (RFMP) model (for two operating regions: USA and Denmark), a PV panel model, a grid-connected PV inverter...

Performance evaluation of 10 MW grid connected solar photovoltaic power plant in India

OpenAIRE

B. Shiva Kumar; K. Sudhakar

2015-01-01

The growing energy demand in developing nations has triggered the issue of energy security. This has made essential to utilize the untapped potential of renewable resources. Grid connected PV systems have become the best alternatives in renewable energy at large scale. Performance analysis of these grid connected plants could help in designing, operating and maintenance of new grid connected systems. A 10 MW photovoltaic grid connected power plant commissioned at Ramagundam is one of the larg...

Optimising the economic viability of grid-connected photovoltaic systems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mondol, Jayanta Deb; Yohanis, Yigzaw G; Norton, Brian

2009-01-01

The impact of photovoltaic (PV) array size, orientation, inclination, load profile, electricity buying price, feed-in tariffs, PV/inverter sizing ratio ('sizing ratio') and PV/inverter cost ratio ('cost ratio') on the economic viability of a grid-connected PV system was investigated using a validated TRNSYS simulation model. The results showed that the fractional load met directly by a PV system depends on matching between PV supply and building load profile, sizing ratio and PV inclination. The profitability of a grid-connected PV system increases if the PV system is sized to reduce excess PV electrical energy fed to the grid when the feed-in tariff is lower than electricity buying price. The effect of feed-in tariffs on PV saving for selected European countries has been shown. The cost of the PV electricity depends on sizing ratio, PV and inverter lifetimes, cost ratio, PV inclination and financial parameters. The effect of cost ratio on the optimum PV/inverter sizing ratio is less significant when the cost ratio lies within 7-11. The minimum PV electricity cost at low and high insolation conditions were obtained for sizing ratios of 1.6 and 1.2, respectively. The lowest PV electricity cost was found for surface slopes within 30-40 for the selected European locations. The PV electricity cost for cost ratio of 5 and 13 varied from 0.44-0.85 EURkWh -1 to 0.38-0.76 EURkWh -1 , respectively within high to low insolation conditions when the PV module unit cost, market discount rate, PV size, PV lifetime and inverter lifetime were assumed to be 6.5 EURW p -1 , 3%, 13 kW p , 20 years and 10 years, respectively. (author)

Simulation and performance analysis of 110 kWp grid-connected photovoltaic system for residential building in India: A comparative analysis of various PV technology

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Akash Kumar Shukla

2016-11-01

Full Text Available System simulation is necessary to investigate the feasibility of Solar PV system at a given location. This study is done to evaluate the feasibility of grid connected rooftop solar photovoltaic system for a residential Hostel building at MANIT, Bhopal, India (Latitude: 23° 16′ N, Longitude: 77° 36′ E. The study focuses on the use of Solargis PV Planner software as a tool to analyze the performance a 110 kWp solar photovoltaic rooftop plant and also compares the performances of different PV technologies based on simulated energy yield and performance ratio. Solargis proves to easy, fast, accurate and reliable software tool for the simulation of solar PV system.

Model Building of Photovoltaic Array with MPPT Function and Research on Single Phase Grid Connected

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Li Zhengzhou

2016-01-01

Full Text Available With the continued development of solar photovoltaic technology, research on distributed grid connected photovoltaic system has become a research focus in the field of photovoltaic grid power plant and the computer simulation technology is an effective technology means in the study. On the basis of the photovoltaic array output characteristic equation, the photovoltaic array maximum power control simulation model based on M function is established by using MATLAB/Simulink and the simulation model of single phase grid connected photovoltaic array is proposed. It overcomes the shortcomings of the process of building the model of the PV array by using Simulink component library and provides the basic guarantee for the realization of system simulation, guiding theory research and system design.

A Novel Flying Capacitor Transformerless Inverter for Single-Phase Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic System

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Siwakoti, Yam Prasad; Blaabjerg, Frede

2016-01-01

This paper proposes a new single-phase flying capacitor transformerless PV inverter for grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems. The neutral of the grid can be directly connected to the negative terminal of the source (PV). It consists of four power switches, one diode, one capacitor and a small...... and some topologies, which requires two times of the peak ac-voltage magnitude) and, (5) the flying capacitor charges every switching cycle, which reduces the size of the required capacitor with switching frequency. In addition, industry standard half bridge module can be used in the new inverter without...

Performance of Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System in Two Sites in Kuwait

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ali Hajiah

2012-01-01

Full Text Available This paper presents an assessment of the electricity generated by photovoltaic (PV grid-connected systems in Kuwait. Three years of meteorological data are provided for two main sites in Kuwait, namely, Al-Wafra and Mutla. These data and a PV grid-connected system mathematical model are used to assist a 100 kWp grid-connected PV system proposed for both sites. The proposed systems show high energy productivity whereas the annual capacity factors for Mutla and Al-Wafra are 22.25% and 21.6%, respectively. Meanwhile the annual yield factors for Mutla and Al-Wafra are 1861 kWh/kWp/year and 1922.7 kWh/kWp/year, respectively. On the other hand the cost of the energy generated by both systems is about 0.1 USD/kWh which is very close to the price of the energy sold by the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW. Furthermore the invested money is recovered during the assumed life cycle time whereas the payback period for both sites is about 15 years. This work contains worthwhile technical information for those who are interested in PV technology investment in Kuwait.

The effect of seasonal variation on the performances of grid connected photovoltaic system in southern of Algeria

Science.gov (United States)

Zaghba, L.; Khennane, M.; Terki, N.; Borni, A.; Bouchakour, A.; Fezzani, A.; Mahamed, I. Hadj; Oudjana, S. H.

2017-02-01

This paper presents modeling, simulation, and analysis evaluation of the grid-connected PV generation system performance under MATLAB/Simulink. The objective is to study the effect of seasonal variation on the performances of grid connected photovoltaic system in southern of Algeria. This system works with a power converter. This converter allows the connection to the network and extracts maximum power from photovoltaic panels with the MPPT algorithm based on robust neuro-fuzzy sliding approach. The photovoltaic energy produced by the PV generator will be completely injected on the network. Simulation results show that the system controlled by the neuro-fuzzy sliding adapts to changing external disturbances and show their effectiveness not only for continued maximum power point but also for response time and stability.

DISTRIBUTED GRID-CONNECTED PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEM EMISSION OFFSET ASSESSMENT: STATISTICAL TEST OF SIMULATED- AND MEASURED-BASED DATA

Science.gov (United States)

This study assessed the pollutant emission offset potential of distributed grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power systems. Computer-simulated performance results were utilized for 211 PV systems located across the U.S. The PV systems' monthly electrical energy outputs were based ...

Economic performance and policies for grid-connected residential solar photovoltaic systems in Brazil

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mitscher, Martin; Rüther, Ricardo

2012-01-01

We analyze the economic competitiveness of grid-connected, distributed solar photovoltaic generation through small-scale rooftop installations in five Brazilian state-capitals. The locations represent a comprehensive set of the two essential parameters for the economic viability of PV—solar irradiation and local electricity tariffs. Levelized electricity costs (LEC) for PV generation and net present values (NPV) for a specific PV system are presented. The analysis comprises three different interest rate scenarios reflecting different conditions for capital acquisition to finance the generators; subsidized, mature market and country-specific risk-adjusted interest. In the NPV analysis, revenue flow is modeled by the sale of PV electricity at current residential tariffs assuming net metering. Using subsidized interest rates, the analysis shows that solar PV electricity is already competitive in Brazil, while in the country-specific risk-adjusted rate, the declining, but still high capital costs of PV make it economically unfeasible. At a mature market interest rate, PV competitiveness is largely dependent on the residential tariff. Economic competitiveness in this scenario is given for locations with high residential tariffs. We demonstrate the high potential of distributed generation with photovoltaic installations in Brazil, and show that under certain conditions, grid-connected PV can be economically competitive in a developing country. - Highlights: ► Debt financed grid-connected PV on Brazilian rooftops can be economically feasible since 2011. ► The cost of capital in Brazil is the decisive parameter in PV competitiveness with conventional generation sources. ► Low-cost, long-term financing is an essential requirement for PV to become an economically justifiable generation alternative. ► The Brazilian market holds huge potential for distributed, residential rooftop PV systems of small size.

Modeling and Simulation for an 8 kW Three-Phase Grid-Connected Photo-Voltaic Power System

OpenAIRE

Cen Zhaohui

2017-01-01

Gird-connected Photo-Voltaic (PV) systems rated as 5-10 kW level have advantages of scalability and energy-saving, so they are very typical for small-scale household solar applications. In this paper, an 8 kW three-phase grid-connected PV system model is proposed and studied. In this high-fidelity model, some basic PV system components such as solar panels, DC-DC converters, DC-AC inverters and three-phase utility grids are mathematically modelled and organized as a complete simulation model....

Grid-connected photovoltaic systems for Malaysian residential sector: Effects of component costs, feed-in tariffs, and carbon taxes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lau, K.Y.; Muhamad, N.A.; Arief, Y.Z.; Tan, C.W.; Yatim, A.H.M.

2016-01-01

Blessed with abundant solar radiation, Malaysia has a huge potential for grid-connected PV (photovoltaic) installations, particularly for its fast-growing residential sector. Nevertheless, Malaysia's PV installation capacity is relatively small compared with the global PV capacity. Significantly, the pricing mechanisms for grid-connected PV projects need to be appropriately assessed to build up the public's confidence to invest in PV projects. In this paper, we analyze the effects of component costs, FiTs (feed-in tariffs), and carbon taxes on grid-connected PV systems in Malaysian residential sector using the HOMER (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources) software. Results demonstrate that the implementation of grid-connected PV systems is highly feasible with PV array costs of $ 1120/kW or lower. For higher PV array costs up to $ 2320/kW, introducing an FiT rate three times higher ($ 0.30/kWh) than the grid tariff for a 100 kW grid sale capacity will, NPC-wise, prioritize grid-connected PV systems over the utility grid. By implementing the FiT ($ 0.50/kWh) and the carbon tax ($ 36/metric ton) schemes simultaneously, grid-connected PV systems will remain as the optimal systems even for costly PV arrays (up to $ 4000/kW). The findings are of paramount importance as far as PV pricing variability is concerned. - Highlights: • Grid-connected PV for Malaysian residential sector has been analyzed using HOMER. • Component costs, feed-in tariffs, and carbon taxes affect optimal system types. • Grid-connected PV projects are feasible for low PV array costs ($ 1120/kW or lower). • For higher PV array and inverter costs, feed-in tariffs should be implemented. • Combining feed-in tariffs with carbon taxes are effective for further lowering NPCs.

Zero-voltage ride-through capability of single-phase grid-connected photovoltaic systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Zhang, Zhen; Yang, Yongheng; Ma, Ruiqing

2017-01-01

Distributed renewable energy systems play an increasing role in today’s energy paradigm. Thus, intensive research activities have been centered on improving the performance of renewable energy systems, including photovoltaic (PV) systems, which should be of multiple-functionality. That is, the PV...... systems should be more intelligent in the consideration of grid stability, reliability, and fault protection. Therefore, in this paper, the performance of single-phase grid-connected PV systems under an extreme grid fault (i.e., when the grid voltage dips to zero) is explored. It has been revealed...... that combining a fast and accurate synchronization mechanism with appropriate control strategies for the zero-voltage ride-through (ZVRT) operation is mandatory. Accordingly, the representative synchronization techniques (i.e., the phase-locked loop (PLL) methods) in the ZVRT operation are compared in terms...

Online Grid Measurement and ENS Detection for PV Inverter Running on Highly Inductive Grid

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Timbus, Adrian Vasile; Teodorescu, Remus; Blaabjerg, Frede

2004-01-01

Photovoltaic (PV) and other sources of renewable energy are being used increasingly in grid-connected systems, for which stronger power quality requirements are being issued. Continuous grid monitoring should be considered so as to provide safe connections and disconnections from the grid...

Modeling and Simulation for an 8 kW Three-Phase Grid-Connected Photo-Voltaic Power System

Science.gov (United States)

Cen, Zhaohui

2017-09-01

Gird-connected Photo-Voltaic (PV) systems rated as 5-10 kW level have advantages of scalability and energy-saving, so they are very typical for small-scale household solar applications. In this paper, an 8 kW three-phase grid-connected PV system model is proposed and studied. In this high-fidelity model, some basic PV system components such as solar panels, DC-DC converters, DC-AC inverters and three-phase utility grids are mathematically modelled and organized as a complete simulation model. Also, an overall power controller with Maximum Power Point Control (MPPT) is proposed to achieve both high-efficiency for solar energy harvesting and grid-connection stability. Finally, simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the PV system model and the proposed controller, and power quality issues are discussed.

Modeling and Simulation for an 8 kW Three-Phase Grid-Connected Photo-Voltaic Power System

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Cen Zhaohui

2017-09-01

Full Text Available Gird-connected Photo-Voltaic (PV systems rated as 5-10 kW level have advantages of scalability and energy-saving, so they are very typical for small-scale household solar applications. In this paper, an 8 kW three-phase grid-connected PV system model is proposed and studied. In this high-fidelity model, some basic PV system components such as solar panels, DC-DC converters, DC-AC inverters and three-phase utility grids are mathematically modelled and organized as a complete simulation model. Also, an overall power controller with Maximum Power Point Control (MPPT is proposed to achieve both high-efficiency for solar energy harvesting and grid-connection stability. Finally, simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the PV system model and the proposed controller, and power quality issues are discussed.

Digital proportional multi-resonant current controller for improving grid-connected photovoltaic systems

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Almeida, de P.M.; Barbosa, P.G.; Oliveira, J.G.; Duarte, J.L.; Ribeiro, P.F.

2015-01-01

This paper presents the modelling and design steps of a digital proportional multi-resonant controller used in a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system. It is shown that the use of only one Proportional-Resonant (PR) compensator, tuned to the system fundamental frequency, may have its effectiveness

Benchmarking of Grid Fault Modes in Single-Phase Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Yang, Yongheng; Blaabjerg, Frede; Zou, Zhixiang

2013-01-01

Pushed by the booming installations of singlephase photovoltaic (PV) systems, the grid demands regarding the integration of PV systems are expected to be modified. Hence, the future PV systems should become more active with functionalities of Low Voltage Ride-Through (LVRT) and grid support...... phase systems under grid faults. The intent of this paper is to present a benchmarking of grid fault modes that might come in future single-phase PV systems. In order to map future challenges, the relevant synchronization and control strategies are discussed. Some faulty modes are studied experimentally...... and provided at the end of this paper. It is concluded that there are extensive control possibilities in single-phase PV systems under grid faults. The Second Order General Integral based PLL technique might be the most promising candidate for future single-phase PV systems because of its fast adaptive...

Control Strategy for Three-Phase Grid-Connected PV Inverters Enabling Current Limitation Under Unbalanced Faults

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Afshari, Ehsan; Moradi, Gholam Reza; Rahimi, Ramin

2017-01-01

Power quality and voltage control are among the most important aspects of the grid-connected power converter operation under faults. Non-sinusoidal current is injected during unbalanced voltage sag and active or/and reactive power includes double frequency content. This paper introduces a novel...... control strategy to mitigate the double grid frequency oscillations in the active power and dc-link voltage of the two-stage three-phase grid-connected Photovoltaic (PV) inverters during unbalanced faults. With the proposed control method, PV inverter injects sinusoidal currents under unbalanced grid...... faults. In addition, an efficient and easy-to-implement current limitation method is introduced, which can effectively limit the injected currents to the rated value during faults. In this case, the fault-ride-through operation is ensured and it will not trigger the overcurrent protection. A non...

Photovoltaic (PV) contribution to the primary frequency control

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rafa, Adel Hamad

2012-01-01

Photovoltaic (PV) technology is among the most efficient and cost effective renewable energy kinds currently available on the market. The connection of a large number of PVs to the grid may influence the frequency and voltage stability of the power system. This paper proposes load-frequency control technique for system with high penetration of photovoltaic (PV). The proposed controller has been successfully implemented and tested using PSCAD/EMTDC. In this study, the impact of photovoltaic (PV) on frequency stability of the system is studies in detail. This study shows that large penetration of photovoltaic (PV) with load and frequency control has a significant impact on the stability and security level of electrical network.(author)

Active and reactive power neurocontroller for grid-connected photovoltaic generation system

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

I. Abadlia

2016-03-01

Full Text Available Many researchers have contributed to the development of a firm foundation for analysis and design of control applications in grid-connected renewable energy sources. This paper presents an intelligent control algorithm fond on artificial neural networks for active and reactive power controller in grid-connected photovoltaic generation system. The system is devices into two parts in which each part contains an inverter with control algorithm. A DC/DC converter in output voltage established by control magnitude besides maximum power point tracker algorithm always finds optimal power of the PV array in use. A DC/AC hysteresis inverter designed can synchronize a sinusoidal current output with the grid voltage and accurate an independent active and reactive power control. Simulation results confirm the validation of the purpose. Neurocontroller based active and reactive power presents an efficiency control that guarantees good response to the steps changing in active and reactive power with an acceptable current/voltage synchronism. In this paper the power circuit and the control system of the presented grid-connected photovoltaic generation system is simulated and tested by MatLab/Simulink.

Grid-connected photovoltaic power systems. Technical and potential problems. A review

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Eltawil, Mohamed A.; Zhao, Zhengming

2010-01-01

Traditional electric power systems are designed in large part to utilize large baseload power plants, with limited ability to rapidly ramp output or reduce output below a certain level. The increase in demand variability created by intermittent sources such as photovoltaic (PV) presents new challenges to increase system flexibility. This paper aims to investigate and emphasize the importance of the grid-connected PV system regarding the intermittent nature of renewable generation, and the characterization of PV generation with regard to grid code compliance. The investigation was conducted to critically review the literature on expected potential problems associated with high penetration levels and islanding prevention methods of grid tied PV. According to the survey, PV grid connection inverters have fairly good performance. They have high conversion efficiency and power factor exceeding 90% for wide operating range, while maintaining current harmonics THD less than 5%. Numerous large-scale projects are currently being commissioned, with more planned for the near future. Prices of both PV and balance of system components (BOS) are decreasing which will lead to further increase in use. The technical requirements from the utility power system side need to be satisfied to ensure the safety of the PV installer and the reliability of the utility grid. Identifying the technical requirements for grid interconnection and solving the interconnect problems such as islanding detection, harmonic distortion requirements and electromagnetic interference are therefore very important issues for widespread application of PV systems. The control circuit also provides sufficient control and protection functions like maximum power tracking, inverter current control and power factor control. Reliability, life span and maintenance needs should be certified through the long-term operation of PV system. Further reduction of cost, size and weight is required for more utilization of PV

Performance Analysis of 14 MW Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kagilik, Ahmed S.; Tawel, Abduraouf M.

2015-01-01

Many Libyan authorities proposed to investigate the possibility of utilizing a suitable terrain in Libya to add generation capacity of large-scale photovoltaic power plants. In this paper, the first grid-connected PV plant of 14 MWp which will be executed in Hoon city and supported by the Renewable Energy Authority of Libya (REAOL) is presented. To understand and improve the operational behavior of PV system, a comprehensive study including the plant design and detailed performance analysis under a local climate conditions is performed. Using polycrystalline silicon technology, the first year energy yield is estimated and the monthly system output for this plant is calculated. The performance ratio and various power losses (temperature, irradiance, power electronics, interconnection, etc.) are determined. The PV system supplied 24964 MWh to the grid during the first year giving an average annual overall yield factor 1783 kWh/kWp and average annual performance ratio of the system of 76.9%.(author)

Zero-Voltage Ride-Through Capability of Single-Phase Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Zhen Zhang

2017-03-01

Full Text Available Distributed renewable energy systems play an increasing role in today’s energy paradigm. Thus, intensive research activities have been centered on improving the performance of renewable energy systems, including photovoltaic (PV systems, which should be of multiple-functionality. That is, the PV systems should be more intelligent in the consideration of grid stability, reliability, and fault protection. Therefore, in this paper, the performance of single-phase grid-connected PV systems under an extreme grid fault (i.e., when the grid voltage dips to zero is explored. It has been revealed that combining a fast and accurate synchronization mechanism with appropriate control strategies for the zero-voltage ride-through (ZVRT operation is mandatory. Accordingly, the representative synchronization techniques (i.e., the phase-locked loop (PLL methods in the ZVRT operation are compared in terms of detection precision and dynamic response. It shows that the second-order generalized integrator (SOGI-PLL is a promising solution for single-phase systems in the case of fault ride-through. A control strategy by modifying the SOGI-PLL scheme is then introduced to single-phase grid-connected PV systems for ZVRT operation. Simulations are performed to verify the discussions. The results have demonstrated that the proposed method can help single-phase PV systems to temporarily ride through zero-voltage faults with good dynamics.

Overview of Grid Codes for Photovoltaic Integration

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Zheng, Qianwei; Li, Jiaming; Ai, Xiaomeng

2017-01-01

The increasing grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power stations might threaten the safety and stability of power system. Therefore, the grid code is developed for PV power stations to ensure the security of PV integrated power systems. In this paper, requirements for PV power integration in differ...... in different grid codes are first investigated. On this basis, the future advocacy is concluded. Finally, several evaluation indices are proposed to quantify the grid code compliance so that the system operators can validate all these requirements by simulation....

Performance evaluation of 10 MW grid connected solar photovoltaic power plant in India

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

B. Shiva Kumar

2015-11-01

Full Text Available The growing energy demand in developing nations has triggered the issue of energy security. This has made essential to utilize the untapped potential of renewable resources. Grid connected PV systems have become the best alternatives in renewable energy at large scale. Performance analysis of these grid connected plants could help in designing, operating and maintenance of new grid connected systems. A 10 MW photovoltaic grid connected power plant commissioned at Ramagundam is one of the largest solar power plants with the site receiving a good average solar radiation of 4.97 kW h/m2/day and annual average temperature of about 27.3 degrees centigrade. The plant is designed to operate with a seasonal tilt. In this study the solar PV plant design aspects along with its annual performance is elaborated. The various types of power losses (temperature, internal network, power electronics, grid connected etc. and performance ratio are also calculated. The performance results of the plant are also compared with the simulation values obtained from PV syst and PV-GIS software. The final yield (Y F of plant ranged from 1.96 to 5.07 h/d, and annual performance ratio (PR of 86.12%. It has 17.68% CUF with annual energy generation of 15798.192 MW h/Annum.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy; latest developments in the building integrated and hybrid PV systems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zahedi, A.

2006-01-01

Environmental concerns are growing and interest in environmental issues is increasing and the idea of generating electricity with less pollution is becoming more and more attractive. Unlike conventional generation systems, fuel of the solar photovoltaic energy is available at no cost. And solar photovoltaic energy systems generate electricity pollution-free and can easily be installed on the roof of residential as well as on the wall of commercial buildings as grid-connected PV application. In addition to grid-connected rooftop PV systems, solar photovoltaic energy offers a solution for supplying electricity to remote located communities and facilities, those not accessible by electricity companies. The interest in solar photovoltaic energy is growing worldwide. Today, more than 3500MW of photovoltaic systems have been installed all over the world. Since 1970, the PV price has continuously dropped [8]. This price drop has encouraged worldwide application of small-scale residential PV systems. These recent developments have led researchers concerned with the environment to undertake extensive research projects for harnessing renewable energy sources including solar energy. The usage of solar photovoltaic as a source of energy is considered more seriously making future of this technology looks promising. The objective of this contribution is to present the latest developments in the area of solar photovoltaic energy systems. A further objective of this contribution is to discuss the long-term prospect of the solar photovoltaic energy as a sustainable energy supply. [Author

Power Quality Improvement Utilizing Photovoltaic Generation Connected to a Weak Grid

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Muljadi, Eduard [National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Tumbelaka, Hanny H. [Petra Christian University; Gao, Wenzhong [UNiversity of Denver

2017-11-07

Microgrid research and development in the past decades have been one of the most popular topics. Similarly, the photovoltaic generation has been surging among renewable generation in the past few years, thanks to the availability, affordability, technology maturity of the PV panels and the PV inverter in the general market. Unfortunately, quite often, the PV installations are connected to weak grids and may have been considered as the culprit of poor power quality affecting other loads in particular sensitive loads connected to the same point of common coupling (PCC). This paper is intended to demystify the renewable generation, and turns the negative perception into positive revelation of the superiority of PV generation to the power quality improvement in a microgrid system. The main objective of this work is to develop a control method for the PV inverter so that the power quality at the PCC will be improved under various disturbances. The method is to control the reactive current based on utilizing the grid current to counteract the negative impact of the disturbances. The proposed control method is verified in PSIM platform. Promising results have been obtained.

Experimental evaluation of 8 kW grid-connected photovoltaic system in Egypt

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

A. Elkholy

2016-09-01

Full Text Available An experimental observation study of 8 kW grid-connected photovoltaic (PV system that is installed at Electronics Research Institute (ERI, Giza, Egypt (Latitude 30.04°N, Longitude 31.21°E, is presented. This study includes the quality of the electrical power generated and injected into the network. The considered system consists of 28 × 295 Wp multicrystalline PV modules, StecaGrid three-phase 8 kW grid-connected inverter and a Solar-Log 300 PM+ for data acquisition and remote monitoring. The power quality parameters at the inverter output side have been measured using CA8335 power quality analyzer. The system has been installed in August 2014 and generated 5.7 MWh till February 2015. The produced electricity by the system is injected directly into the grid without storage device. The purpose of this paper is to present and evaluate the measurements of the power quality parameters obtained from the PV site. Also, this paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of the system over a period of one week. The observation and analyses exploitation of the collected data can help to evaluate the performance of the PV system connected to the network.

Low Voltage Ride-Through Capability of a Single-Stage Single-Phase Photovoltaic System Connected to the Low-Voltage Grid

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Yang, Yongheng; Blaabjerg, Frede

2013-01-01

The progressively growing of single-phase photovoltaic (PV) systems makes the Distribution System Operators (DSO) to update or revise the existing grid codes in order to guarantee the availability, quality and reliability of the electrical system. It is expected that the future PV systems connected...... to the low-voltage grid will be more active with functionalities of low voltage ride-through (LVRT) and the grid support capability, which is not the case today. In this paper, the operation principle is demonstrated for a single-phase grid-connected PV system in low voltage ride through operation in order...... to map future challenges. The system is verified by simulations and experiments. Test results show that the proposed power control method is effective and the single-phase PV inverters connected to low-voltage networks are ready to provide grid support and ride-through voltage fault capability...

Fault Ride-Through of a Grid-connected Photovoltaic System with Quasi Z Source Inverter

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Al-Durra, Ahmed; Fayyad, Yara; Muyeen, S.M.

2016-01-01

This article presents fault ride-through schemes for a three-phase quasi Z source single-stage photovoltaic (PV) inverter that is connected to the grid after the distribution network. The quasi Z source inverter employs a unique LC network to couple the inverter main circuit to the input of the PV...... the grid side so that the grid fault ride-through requirements can be fulfilled. Scheme A involves control modification in the system; Schemes B and C involve hardware modification in the circuit topology by adding a chopper circuit across the DC link in Scheme B and across the quasi Z source inverter...

Two-stage single-phase grid-connected photovoltaic system with reduced complexity

Science.gov (United States)

da Silva, Cintia S.; Motta, Filipe R.; Tofoli, Fernando L.

2011-06-01

This article presents a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system using the classical DC-DC buck converter, which is responsible for stepping down the resulting voltage from several series-connected panels. Besides, the structure provides high power factor operation by injecting a quasi-sinusoidal current into the grid, with near no displacement in relation to the line voltage at the point of common coupling among the PV system and the loads. A CSI employing thyristors is cascaded with the DC-DC stage so that AC voltage results. The inverter output voltage level is adjusted by using a low-frequency transformer, which also provides galvanic isolation. The proposed system is described as mathematical approach and design guidelines are presented, providing an overview of the topology. An experimental prototype is also implemented, and relevant results to validate the proposal are discussed.

LVRT Capability of Single-Phase Grid-Connected HERIC Inverter in PV Systems by a Look-up Table Based Predictive Control

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Zangeneh Bighash, Esmaeil; Sadeghzadeh, Seyed Mohammad; Ebrahimzadeh, Esmaeil

2017-01-01

Nowadays capacity of the photovoltaic systems in the grid is remarkable and provides a major part of energy in the grid. Therefore, an abruption of these systems from the grid can create a damage to the grid. Unlike in the past that PV systems disconnected from the grid when a voltage drop occurred......, nowadays these systems should have Low Voltage Ride-Through (LVRT) capability. The PV system should stay connected to the grid at fault time and help to recover the grid voltage by injecting the reactive power like in a power plant or a custom power device. There are two important factors for single phase...... grid connected PV inverters. The first one is the structure of the inverter and the second one is the control part. In this regard, the HERIC inverter can be a good selection among the transformerless inverters for a PV system due to its high efficiency. For the control part, this paper presents a look...

Delta Power Control Strategy for Multi-String Grid-Connected PV Inverters

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sangwongwanich, Ariya; Yang, Yongheng; Blaabjerg, Frede

2016-01-01

With a still increasing penetration level of grid-connected PV systems, more advanced active power control functionalities have been introduced in certain grid regulations. A delta power constraint, where a portion of the active power from the PV panels is reserved during operation, is required...... for grid support (e.g., during frequency deviation). In this paper, a cost-effective solution to realize delta power control for grid-connected PV systems is presented, where the residential/commercial multi-string PV inverter configuration is adopted. This control strategy is a combination of Maximum...... for the entire PV system is achieved. Simulations and experiments have been performed on a 3-kW single-phase grid-connected PV system. The results have confirmed the effectiveness of the delta power control strategy, where the power reserve according to the delta power constraint is achieved under several...

Delta-Connected Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Converters for Large-Scale Photovoltaic Grid Integration

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Yu, Yifan; Konstantinou, Georgios; Townsend, Christopher D.

2017-01-01

The cascaded H-bridge (CHB) converter is becoming a promising candidate for use in next generation large-scale photovoltaic (PV) power plants. However, solar power generation in the three converter phase-legs can be significantly unbalanced, especially in a large geographically-dispersed plant....... The power imbalance between the three phases defines a limit for the injection of balanced three-phase currents to the grid. This paper quantifies the performance of, and experimentally confirms, the recently proposed delta-connected CHB converter for PV applications as an alternative configuration...... for large-scale PV power plants. The required voltage and current overrating for the converter is analytically developed and compared against the star-connected counterpart. It is shown that the delta-connected CHB converter extends the balancing capabilities of the star-connected CHB and can accommodate...

Analysis of grid connected solar PV system in the Southeastern Part of Bangladesh

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ariful Islam; Fatema Akther Shima; Akhera Khanam

2013-01-01

Bangladesh is a potential site of implementing renewable energy system to reduce the severe power crisis throughout the year. According to this, Chittagong is the southeastern part of Bangladesh is also a potential site for implementing renewable energy system such as grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system. Financial viability and green-house gas emission reduction of solar PV as an electricity generation source are assessed for 500 kW grid connected solar PV system at University of Chittagong, Chittagong. Homer simulation soft-ware and monthly average solar radiation data from NASA is used for this task. In the proposed system monthly electricity generation varies between 82.65 MW h and 60.3 MW h throughout the year with a mean value of 68.25 MW h depending on the monthly highest and lowest solar radiation data. It is found that per unit electricity production cost is US$ 0.20 based on project lifetime 25 years. The IRR, equity payback and benefit-cost ratio shows favorable condition for development of the proposed solar PV system in this site. A minimum 664 tones of green-house gas emissions can be reduced annually utilizing the proposed system. (authors)

Control scheme towards enhancing power quality and operational efficiency of single-phase two-stage grid-connected photovoltaic systems

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Mahmoud Salem

2015-12-01

Full Text Available Achieving high reliable grid-connected photovoltaic (PV systems with high power quality and high operation efficiency is highly required for distributed generation units. A double grid-frequency voltage ripple is found on the dc-link voltage in single-phase photovoltaic grid-connected systems due to the unbalance of the instantaneous dc input and ac output powers. This voltage ripple has undesirable effects on the power quality and operational efficiency of the whole system. Harmonic distortion in the injected current to the grid is one of the problems caused by this double grid-frequency voltage ripple. The double grid frequency ripple propagates to the PV voltage and current which disturb the extracted maximum power from the PV array. This paper introduces intelligent solutions towards mitigate the side effects of the double grid-frequency voltage ripple on the transferred power quality and the operational efficiency of single-phase two-stage grid-connected PV system. The proposed system has three control loops: MPPT control loop, dc-link voltage control loop and inverter current control loop. Solutions are introduced for all the three control loops in the system. The current controller cancels the dc-link voltage effect on the total harmonic distortion of the output current. The dc-link voltage controller is designed to generate a ripple free reference current signal that leads to enhance the quality of the output power. Also a modified MPPT controller is proposed to optimize the extracted power from the PV array. Simulation results show that higher injected power quality is achieved and higher efficiency of the overall system is realized.

Optimal system sizing in grid-connected photovoltaic applications

Science.gov (United States)

Simoens, H. M.; Baert, D. H.; de Mey, G.

A costs/benefits analysis for optimizing the combination of photovoltaic (PV) panels, batteries and an inverter for grid interconnected systems at a 500 W/day Belgian residence is presented. It is assumed that some power purchases from the grid will always be necessary, and that excess PV power can be fed into the grid. A minimal value for the cost divided by the performance is defined for economic optimization. Shortages and excesses are calculated for PV panels of 0.5-10 kWp output, with consideration given to the advantages of a battery back-up. The minimal economic value is found to increase with the magnitude of PV output, and an inverter should never be rated at more than half the array maximum output. A maximum panel size for the Belgian residence is projected to be 6 kWp.

Performance and economic analysis of a 27 kW grid-connected photovoltaic system in Suriname

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Raghoebarsing, Amrita; Kalpoe, Anand

2017-01-01

The performance of a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system, under the Surinamese weather conditions, is monitored and reported. A measurement and data-logging system provides inputs for the calculation of selected standard key performance indicators (KPI). Calculated KPI's are compared to expected

Implementation of fuzzy-sliding mode based control of a grid connected photovoltaic system.

Science.gov (United States)

Menadi, Abdelkrim; Abdeddaim, Sabrina; Ghamri, Ahmed; Betka, Achour

2015-09-01

The present work describes an optimal operation of a small scale photovoltaic system connected to a micro-grid, based on both sliding mode and fuzzy logic control. Real time implementation is done through a dSPACE 1104 single board, controlling a boost chopper on the PV array side and a voltage source inverter (VSI) on the grid side. The sliding mode controller tracks permanently the maximum power of the PV array regardless of atmospheric condition variations, while The fuzzy logic controller (FLC) regulates the DC-link voltage, and ensures via current control of the VSI a quasi-total transit of the extracted PV power to the grid under a unity power factor operation. Simulation results, carried out via Matlab-Simulink package were approved through experiment, showing the effectiveness of the proposed control techniques. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Methods for the Optimal Design of Grid-Connected PV Inverters

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Koutroulis, Eftichios; Blaabjerg, Frede

2011-01-01

and the efficient processing of this power by the DC/AC inverter. In this paper two new methods are presented for the optimal design of a PV inverter power section, output filter and MPPT control strategy. The influences of the electric grid regulations and standards as well as the PV array operational......The DC/AC inverters are used in grid-connected PV energy production systems as the power processing interface between the PV energy source and the electric grid. The energy injected into the electric grid by the PV installation depends on the amount of power extracted from the PV power source...

New current control based MPPT technique for single stage grid connected PV systems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jain, Sachin; Agarwal, Vivek

2007-01-01

This paper presents a new maximum power point tracking algorithm based on current control for a single stage grid connected photovoltaic system. The main advantage of this algorithm comes from its ability to predict the approximate amplitude of the reference current waveform or power that can be derived from the PV array with the help of an intermediate variable β. A variable step size for the change in reference amplitude during initial tracking helps in fast tracking. It is observed that if the reference current amplitude is greater than the array capacity, the system gets unstable (i.e. moves into the positive slope region of the p-v characteristics of the array). The proposed algorithm prevents the PV system from entering the positive slope region of the p-v characteristics. It is also capable of restoring stability if the system goes unstable due to a sudden environmental change. The proposed algorithm has been tested on a new single stage grid connected PV configuration recently developed by the authors to feed sinusoidal current into the grid. The system is operated in a continuous conduction mode to realize advantages such as low device current stress, high efficiency and low EMI. A fast MPPT tracker with single stage inverter topology operating in CCM makes the overall system highly efficient. Specific cases of the system, operating in just discontinuous current mode and discontinuous current mode and their relative merits and demerits are also discussed

Reviewing the potential and cost-effectiveness of grid-connected solar PV in Indonesia on a provincial level

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Veldhuis, A.J.; Reinders, Angelina H.M.E.

2013-01-01

Photovoltaic (PV) energy could play a large role in increasing the electrification ratio and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions in Indonesia, especially since Indonesia comprises over 17,000 islands which is a challenge for the distribution of fuels and modern grid connection. The potential of

A techno-economic assessment of grid connected photovoltaic system for hospital building in Malaysia

Science.gov (United States)

Mat Isa, Normazlina; Tan, Chee Wei; Yatim, AHM

2017-07-01

Conventionally, electricity in hospital building are supplied by the utility grid which uses mix fuel including coal and gas. Due to enhancement in renewable technology, many building shall moving forward to install their own PV panel along with the grid to employ the advantages of the renewable energy. This paper present an analysis of grid connected photovoltaic (GCPV) system for hospital building in Malaysia. A discussion is emphasized on the economic analysis based on Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) and total Net Present Post (TNPC) in regards with the annual interest rate. The analysis is performed using Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables (HOMER) software which give optimization and sensitivity analysis result. An optimization result followed by the sensitivity analysis also being discuss in this article thus the impact of the grid connected PV system has be evaluated. In addition, the benefit from Net Metering (NeM) mechanism also discussed.

Lightning Surge Analysis on a Large Scale Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic System

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Nur Hazirah Zaini

2017-12-01

Full Text Available Solar photovoltaic (PV farms currently play a vital role in the generation of electrical power in different countries, such as Malaysia, which is moving toward the use of renewable energy. Malaysia is one of the countries with abundant sunlight and thus can use solar PV farms as alternative sources for electricity generation. However, lightning strikes frequently occur in the country. Being installed in open and flat areas, solar PV farms, especially their electronic components, are at great risk of damage caused by lightning. In this paper, the effects of lightning currents with different peak currents and waveshapes on grid-connected solar PV farms were determined to approximate the level of transient effect that can damage solar PV modules, inverters and transformers. Depending on the location of the solar PV farm, engineer can obtain information on the peak current and median current of the site from the lightning location system (LLS and utilise the results obtained in this study to appropriately assign an SPD to protect the solar panel, inverter and the main panel that connected to the grid. Therefore, the simulation results serve as the basis for controlling the effects of lightning strikes on electrical equipment and power grids where it provides proper justification on the ‘where to be installed’ and ‘what is the rating’ of the SPD. This judgment and decision will surely reduce the expensive cost of repair and replacement of electrical equipment damages due to the lightning.

Task 5. Grid interconnection of building integrated and other dispersed photovoltaic power systems. International guideline for the certification of photovoltaic system components and grid-connected systems

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bower, W.

2002-02-15

This report for the International Energy Agency (IEA) made by Task 5 of the Photovoltaic Power Systems (PVPS) programme presents a guideline for the certification of photovoltaic system components and grid-connected systems. The mission of the Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme is to enhance the international collaboration efforts which accelerate the development and deployment of photovoltaic solar energy. Task 5 deals with issues concerning grid-interconnection and distributed PV power systems. This generic international guideline for the certification of photovoltaic system components and complete grid-connected photovoltaic systems describes a set of recommended methods and tests that may be used to verify the integrity of hardware and installations, compliance with applicable standards/codes and can be used to provide a measure of the performance of components or of entire systems. The guideline is to help ensure that photovoltaic installations are both safe for equipment as well as for personnel when used according to the applicable installation standards and codes. The guideline may be used in any country using the rules stipulated by the applicable standards and codes and by applying them to the guideline's recommended tests. This document uses examples for some tests but does not specify exact test set-ups, equipment accuracy, equipment manufacturers or calibration procedures.

Delta Power Control Strategy for Multistring Grid-Connected PV Inverters

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sangwongwanich, Ariya; Yang, Yongheng; Blaabjerg, Frede

2017-01-01

, is required for grid support (e.g., during frequency deviation). In this paper, a cost-effective solution to realize delta power control (DPC) for grid-connected PV systems is presented, where the multistring PV inverter configuration is adopted. This control strategy is a combination of maximum power point...... tracking (MPPT) and constant power generation (CPG) modes. In this control scheme, one PV string operating in the MPPT mode estimates the available power, whereas the other PV strings regulate the total PV power by the CPG control strategy in such a way that the delta power constraint for the entire PV...... system is achieved. Simulations and experiments have been performed on a 3-kW single-phase grid-connected PV system. The results have confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed DPC strategy, where the power reserve according to the delta power constraint is achieved under several operating conditions....

Energy efficiency design strategies for buildings with grid-connected photovoltaic systems

Science.gov (United States)

Yimprayoon, Chanikarn

The building sector in the United States represents more than 40% of the nation's energy consumption. Energy efficiency design strategies and renewable energy are keys to reduce building energy demand. Grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems installed on buildings have been the fastest growing market in the PV industry. This growth poses challenges for buildings qualified to serve in this market sector. Electricity produced from solar energy is intermittent. Matching building electricity demand with PV output can increase PV system efficiency. Through experimental methods and case studies, computer simulations were used to investigate the priorities of energy efficiency design strategies that decreased electricity demand while producing load profiles matching with unique output profiles from PV. Three building types (residential, commercial, and industrial) of varying sizes and use patterns located in 16 climate zones were modeled according to ASHRAE 90.1 requirements. Buildings were analyzed individually and as a group. Complying with ASHRAE energy standards can reduce annual electricity consumption at least 13%. With energy efficiency design strategies, the reduction could reach up to 65%, making it possible for PV systems to meet reduced demands in residential and industrial buildings. The peak electricity demand reduction could be up to 71% with integration of strategies and PV. Reducing lighting power density was the best single strategy with high overall performances. Combined strategies such as zero energy building are also recommended. Electricity consumption reductions are the sum of the reductions from strategies and PV output. However, peak electricity reductions were less than their sum because they reduced peak at different times. The potential of grid stress reduction is significant. Investment incentives from government and utilities are necessary. The PV system sizes on net metering interconnection should not be limited by legislation existing in

Feasibility Study of Grid Connected PV-Biomass Integrated Energy System in Egypt

Science.gov (United States)

Barakat, Shimaa; Samy, M. M.; Eteiba, Magdy B.; Wahba, Wael Ismael

2016-10-01

The aim of this paper is to present a feasibility study of a grid connected photovoltaic (PV) and biomass Integrated renewable energy (IRE) system providing electricity to rural areas in the Beni Suef governorate, Egypt. The system load of the village is analyzed through the environmental and economic aspects. The model has been designed to provide an optimal system configuration based on daily data for energy availability and demands. A case study area, Monshaet Taher village (29° 1' 17.0718"N, 30° 52' 17.04"E) is identified for economic feasibility in this paper. HOMER optimization model plan imputed from total daily load demand, 2,340 kWh/day for current energy consuming of 223 households with Annual Average Insolation Incident on a Horizontal Surface of 5.79 (kWh/m2/day) and average biomass supplying 25 tons / day. It is found that a grid connected PV-biomass IRE system is an effective way of emissions reduction and it does not increase the investment of the energy system.

Optimum Design Of On Grid Pv System Using Tracking System

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Saeed Mansour

2015-05-01

Full Text Available Abstract The fossil fuel is a main issue in the world due to the increase of fossil fuel cost and the depletion of the fossil fuel with continuous increasing demand on electricity. With continuous decrease of PV panels cost it is interesting to consider generation of electricity from PV system. To provide electric energy to a load in a remote area where electric grid utility is not available or connection with grid utility is available there are two approaches of photovoltaic system PV without tracking system Fixed System and PV with tracking systems. The result shows that the energy production by using PV with tracking system generates more energy in comparison with fixed panels system. However the cost per produced KWH is less in case of using fixed panels. This is the backbone in choice between two approaches of photovoltaic system. In this work a system design and cost analysis for two approaches of photovoltaic system are considered.

Operational characteristic analysis of PV generation system for grid connection by using a senseless MPPT control

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lee, S.-J.; Kim, K.-H.; Park, H.-Y.; Seo, H.-R.; Park, M.; Yu, I.-K. [Changwon National Univ., SarimDong (Korea, Republic of). Dept. of Electrical Engineering

2007-07-01

In photovoltaics, the sun's light energy is captured to create electricity. One of the key issues about a photovoltaic (PV) generation system is to keep the output power of photovoltaic cells maximized under any weather conditions. In a conventional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control method, both voltage and current coming out from PV array require feedback. The system may fail to track the MPP of a PV array when unexpected weather conditions happen. This paper proposed a novel PV output senseless (POS) control method to solve the problem. The proposed POS MPPT control method only had one factor to consider, the load current. To verify this theory, a POS MPPT control was applied to a manufactured PV generation system, and the results of the the simulated and experimental data under real weather conditions were compared and analyzed. Several tables and diagrams were presented, including the circuit diagram of a manufactured PV generation system connected to grid as well as the the specifications of the PV array and PCS used for the experiment. Reasonable results were obtained in this study. In addition, the scheme was found to be very useful in maximizing power from PV array to load with feedback of only the load current. 8 refs., 3 tabs., 15 figs.

Online model-based fault detection for grid connected PV systems monitoring

KAUST Repository

Harrou, Fouzi; Sun, Ying; Saidi, Ahmed

2017-01-01

This paper presents an efficient fault detection approach to monitor the direct current (DC) side of photovoltaic (PV) systems. The key contribution of this work is combining both single diode model (SDM) flexibility and the cumulative sum (CUSUM) chart efficiency to detect incipient faults. In fact, unknown electrical parameters of SDM are firstly identified using an efficient heuristic algorithm, named Artificial Bee Colony algorithm. Then, based on the identified parameters, a simulation model is built and validated using a co-simulation between Matlab/Simulink and PSIM. Next, the peak power (Pmpp) residuals of the entire PV array are generated based on both real measured and simulated Pmpp values. Residuals are used as the input for the CUSUM scheme to detect potential faults. We validate the effectiveness of this approach using practical data from an actual 20 MWp grid-connected PV system located in the province of Adrar, Algeria.

Online model-based fault detection for grid connected PV systems monitoring

KAUST Repository

Harrou, Fouzi

2017-12-14

This paper presents an efficient fault detection approach to monitor the direct current (DC) side of photovoltaic (PV) systems. The key contribution of this work is combining both single diode model (SDM) flexibility and the cumulative sum (CUSUM) chart efficiency to detect incipient faults. In fact, unknown electrical parameters of SDM are firstly identified using an efficient heuristic algorithm, named Artificial Bee Colony algorithm. Then, based on the identified parameters, a simulation model is built and validated using a co-simulation between Matlab/Simulink and PSIM. Next, the peak power (Pmpp) residuals of the entire PV array are generated based on both real measured and simulated Pmpp values. Residuals are used as the input for the CUSUM scheme to detect potential faults. We validate the effectiveness of this approach using practical data from an actual 20 MWp grid-connected PV system located in the province of Adrar, Algeria.

Grid Connected Solar PV System with SEPIC Converter Compared with Parallel Boost Converter Based MPPT

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

T. Ajith Bosco Raj

2014-01-01

Full Text Available The main objective of this work is to study the behaviour of the solar PV systems and model the efficient Grid-connected solar power system. The DC-DC MPPT circuit using chaotic pulse width modulation has been designed to track maximum power from solar PV module. The conversion efficiency of the proposed MPPT system is increased when CPWM is used as a control scheme. This paper also proposes a simplified multilevel (seven level inverter for a grid-connected photovoltaic system. The primary goal of these systems is to increase the energy injected to the grid by keeping track of the maximum power point of the panel, by reducing the switching frequency, and by providing high reliability. The maximum power has been tracked experimentally. It is compared with parallel boost converter. Also this model is based on mathematical equations and is described through an equivalent circuit including a PV source with MPPT, a diode, a series resistor, a shunt resistor, and dual boost converter with active snubber circuit. This model can extract PV power and boost by using dual boost converter with active snubber. By using this method the overall system efficiency is improved thereby reducing the switching losses and cost.

Policy incentives and grid-connected photovoltaics system development in China

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wang Jing; Xu Yugao

2007-07-01

China has made considerable progress in solar PV generation technology. However, compared with conventional generation technologies or even other renewables such as wind and biomass, grid-connected PV technology is in its early stage and has not reached an adequate level of economic performance. Therefore, policy incentives will play important roles in attracting more social investments to facilitate the development of grid-connected PV generation. This paper is focused on analyzing the role of incentive policies in enhancing the market competitiveness of grid-connected solar PV systems in the context of China with an economic model and some policy suggestions are given based on simulation modeling efforts. (auth)

Decentralized electricity generation by using photovoltaic grid-connected solar system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tyutyundziev, N.; Vitanov, P.; Radkov, R.; Grottke, M.

2006-01-01

AcadPV is the first demonstration installation connected permanently to LV grid in Sofia, Bulgaria aiming at assessment of PV efficiencies and cost-effectiveness. A thorough analysis has been carried out in order to select PV system site, supporting construction design and orientation. The PV generator is divided to 3 PV subfields equipped by 3 SUNPOWER inverters connected to 3 separated phases of the grid. The performance of 10kWp PV system has been evaluated during the first year of operation and compared to PV simulation software results

Performance analysis and investigation of a grid-connected photovoltaic installation in Morocco

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Kamal Attari

2016-11-01

Full Text Available The paper present an evaluation of a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV system installed on the roof of a government building located in Tangier, Morocco. The experimental data was recorded from 1st January 2015 to December 2015 based on real time observation. The aim is to encourage the use of solar PV system for government, commercial and residence building in Morocco based on the obtained results. The system is made up of 20 modules of 250 Wp and one inverter of 5 kW. The assessed parameters of the PV installation includes energy output, final yield, modules temperature, efficiency module, performance ratio (PR and others. The PV park supplied the grid with 6411.3 kWh during the year 2015. The final yield (Yf ranged from 1.96 to 6.42 kWh/kWp, the performance ratio (PR ranged from 58% to 98% and the annual capacity factor was found to be 14.84%. The final yield of PV installation is compared with other final yields of solar PV systems located at other places. Finally various power losses are given through a diagram loss.

Performance analysis of a grid connected photovoltaic park on the island of Crete

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kymakis, Emmanuel; Kalykakis, Sofoklis; Papazoglou, Thales M.

2009-01-01

The favorable climate conditions of the island of Crete and the recent legislation for utilization of renewable energy sources provide a substantial incentive for installation of photovoltaic power plants. In this paper, the grid connected photovoltaic park of C. Rokas SA in Sitia, Crete, is presented, and its performance is evaluated. The photovoltaic park has a peak power of 171.36 kW p and has been in operation since 2002. The park is suitably monitored during 1 year, and the performance ratio and the various power losses (temperature, soiling, internal, network, power electronics, grid availability and interconnection) are calculated. The PV park supplied 229 MW h to the grid during 2007, ranging from 335.48 to 869.68 kW h. The final yield (Y F ) ranged from 1.96 to 5.07 h/d, and the performance ratio (PR) ranged from 58 to 73%, giving an annual PR of 67.36%

Modeling Of Components Of A Photovoltaic System With Voltage Inverter For Connection To The Electrical Grid

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ferreira, Andreza C.; Blasques, Luis C. M.; Galhardo, Marcos A. B.; Pinho, João T.

2017-01-01

This paper describes the modeling of the electrical equipment and control mechanisms used in the power conditioning system of a grid-connected photovoltaic system (GCPVS), such as the photovoltaic generator, the DC/DC converter, the voltage inverter with PWM control, its output filter, as well as the converter controls and their functionalities, and the interconnection of the system with the distribution grid and load. In addition to the modeling of the grid-tie inverter, the main equipment of the power conditioning system, this paper describes the synchronization form of the photovoltaic (PV) generation with the electricity distribution grid, considering the power injection control method, the maximum power point tracking technique for maximizing the energy supplied by the photovoltaic generator, and the complete topology of the proposed PV system. The main objective is to provide a computational model capable of simulating the behavior of the GCPVS elements, varying the climatic conditions and the power demand on the AC side, presenting consistent results for different operating conditions, such as variations of climatic parameters (solar irradiance, wind speed, and ambient temperature) and load. In these cases, it is possible to evaluate the behavior of the system, sometimes supplying both the active and reactive power of the load, according to the need. (author)

PV-hybrid and mini-grid

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2010-07-01

Within the 5th European PV-hybrid and mini-grid conference 29th and 30th April, 2010 in Tarragona (Spain) the following lectures were held: (1) Overview of IEA PVPS Task 11 PV-hybrid systems within mini grids; (2) Photovoltaic revolution for deployment in developing countries; (3) Legal and financial conditions for the sustainable operation of mini-grids; (4) EU instruments to promote renewable energies in developing countries; (5) PV hybridization of diesel electricity generators: Conditions of profitability and examples in differential power and storage size ranges; (6) Education suit of designing PV hybrid systems; (7) Sustainable renewable energy projects for intelligent rural electrification in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam; (8) Techno-economic feasibility of energy supply of remote villages in Palestine by PV systems, diesel generators and electric grid (Case studies: Emnazeil and Atouf villages); (9) Technical, economical and sustainability considerations of a solar PV mini grid as a tool for rural electrification in Uganda; (10) Can we rate inverters for rural electrification on the basis of energy efficiency?; (11) Test procedures for MPPT charge controllers characterization; (12) Energy storage for mini-grid stabilization; (13) Redox flow batteries - Already an alternative storage solution for hybrid PV mini-grids?; (14) Control methods for PV hybrid mini-grids; (15) Partial AC-coupling in mini-grids; (15) Normative issues of small wind turbines in PV hybrid systems; (16) Communication solutions for PV hybrid systems; (17) Towards flexible control and communication of mini-grids; (18) PV/methanol fuel cell hybrid system for powering a highway security variable message board; (19) Polygeneration smartgrids: A solution for the supply of electricity, potable water and hydrogen as fuel for transportation in remote Areas; (20) Implementation of the Bronsbergen micro grid using FACDS; (21) A revisited approach for the design of PV wind hybrid systems; (22

Development of a software application to evaluate the performance and energy losses of grid-connected photovoltaic systems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Trillo-Montero, D.; Santiago, I.; Luna-Rodriguez, J.J.; Real-Calvo, R.

2014-01-01

Highlights: • Software application to perform an automated analysis of grid-connected PV systems. • It integrates data from all devices registering data on typical PV installations. • Flexible to analyze installations with different configurations and components. • An analysis of two grid-connected PV systems located in Andalusia, was performed. • Temperature losses in summer months varying between 15% and 25% of energy production. - Abstract: The aim of this paper was to design and develop a software application that enables users to perform an automated analysis of data from the monitoring of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems. This application integrates data from all devices already in operation such as environmental sensors, inverters and meters, which record information on typical PV installations. This required the development of a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS), consisting of a series of linked databases, enabling all PV system information to be stored; and a software, called S·lar, which enables all information from the monitoring to be automatically migrated to the database as well as determining some standard magnitudes related to performances and losses of PV installation components at different time scales. A visualization tool, which is both graphical and numerical, makes access to all of the information be a simple task. Moreover, the application enables relationships between parameters and/or magnitudes to be easily established. Furthermore, it can perform a preliminary analysis of the influence of PV installations on the distribution grids where the produced electricity is injected. The operation of such a software application was implemented by performing the analysis of two grid-connected PV installations located in Andalusia, Spain, via data monitoring therein. The monitoring took place from January 2011 to May 2012

Review international standards for grid connected photovoltaic systems in Malaysia

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mekhilef, S.; Rahim, N.A.

2006-01-01

Grid connected PV is being applied on variety application including large centralised stations, commercial building and individual houses. There is a need for specific standard to address distinctive new issue created by grid connected PV power system. Internationally many countries are attempting to develop standards for building integration, Dc side issues and grid connection issues. This paper surveys the current development state of the major countries standards in this area, comparing and contrasting, standards and guideline under development, also addressing the need of standards for grid connected in Malaysia

Performance analysis of a 11.2 kWp roof top grid-connected PV system in Eastern India

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Renu Sharma

2017-11-01

Full Text Available Barren land and roof tops of buildings are being increasingly used worldwide to install solar panels for generating electricity. One such step has been taken by Siksha ‘O’Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar (Latitude 20.24° N and Longitude 80.85° E by installing a 11.2 kWp grid connected solar power system during February, 2014. This PV system is tilted at an angle of 21° on the top floor of a 25 metre height building. This system was installed This paper presents the results of this grid connected photovoltaic system which was monitored between September 2014 to August 2015. The entire electricity generated by the system was fed into the state grid. The different parameters of the system studied include PV module efficiency, array yield, final yield, inverter efficiency and performance ratio of the system. The total energy generated during this period was found to be 14.960 MWh and the PV module efficiency, inverter efficiency and performance ratio were found to be 13.42%, 89.83% and 0.78 respectively.

Investigation of the behavior of a three phase grid-connected photovoltaic system to control active and reactive power

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tsengenes, Georgios; Adamidis, Georgios [Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, University Campus Kimmeria, 67100 Xanthi (Greece)

2011-01-15

In this paper, a photovoltaic (PV) system, with maximum power point tracking (MPPT), connected to a three phase grid is presented. The connection of photovoltaic system on the grid takes place in one stage using voltage source inverter (VSI). For a better utilization of the photovoltaic system, the control strategy applied is based on p-q theory. According to this strategy during sunlight the system sends active power to the grid and at the same time compensates the reactive power of the load. In case there is no sunlight (during the night for instance), the inverter only compensates the reactive power of the load. In this paper the use of p-q theory to supply the grid with active power and compensate the reactive power of the load is investigated. The advantage of this control strategy is that the photovoltaic system is operated the whole day. Furthermore, the p-q theory uses simple algebraic calculations without demanding the use of PLL to synchronize the inverter with the grid. (author)

Modeling of Step-up Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems for Control Purposes

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Daniel Gonzalez

2012-06-01

Full Text Available This paper presents modeling approaches for step-up grid-connected photovoltaic systems intended to provide analytical tools for control design. The first approach is based on a voltage source representation of the bulk capacitor interacting with the grid-connected inverter, which is a common model for large DC buses and closed-loop inverters. The second approach considers the inverter of a double-stage PV system as a Norton equivalent, which is widely accepted for open-loop inverters. In addition, the paper considers both ideal and realistic models for the DC/DC converter that interacts with the PV module, providing four mathematical models to cover a wide range of applications. The models are expressed in state space representation to simplify its use in analysis and control design, and also to be easily implemented in simulation software, e.g., Matlab. The PV system was analyzed to demonstrate the non-minimum phase condition for all the models, which is an important aspect to select the control technique. Moreover, the system observability and controllability were studied to define design criteria. Finally, the analytical results are illustrated by means of detailed simulations, and the paper results are validated in an experimental test bench.

Grid-Tied Photovoltaic Power System

Science.gov (United States)

Eichenberg, Dennis J.

2011-01-01

A grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) power system is connected directly to the utility distribution grid. Facility power can be obtained from the utility system as normal. The PV system is synchronized with the utility system to provide power for the facility, and excess power is provided to the utility. Operating costs of a PV power system are low compared to conventional power technologies. This method can displace the highest-cost electricity during times of peak demand in most climatic regions, and thus reduce grid loading. Net metering is often used, in which independent power producers such as PV power systems are connected to the utility grid via the customers main service panels and meters. When the PV power system is generating more power than required at that location, the excess power is provided to the utility grid. The customer pays the net of the power purchased when the on-site power demand is greater than the onsite power production, and the excess power is returned to the utility grid. Power generated by the PV system reduces utility demand, and the surplus power aids the community. Modern PV panels are readily available, reliable, efficient, and economical, with a life expectancy of at least 25 years. Modern electronics have been the enabling technology behind grid-tied power systems, making them safe, reliable, efficient, and economical with a life expectancy equal to the modern PV panels. The grid-tied PV power system was successfully designed and developed, and this served to validate the basic principles developed, and the theoretical work that was performed. Grid-tied PV power systems are reliable, maintenance- free, long-life power systems, and are of significant value to NASA and the community. Of particular value are the analytical tools and capabilities that have been successfully developed. Performance predictions can be made confidently for grid-tied PV systems of various scales. The work was done under the NASA Hybrid Power Management (HPM

Evaluation of a Distributed Photovoltaic System in Grid-Connected and Standalone Applications by Different MPPT Algorithms

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ru-Min Chao

2018-06-01

Full Text Available Due to the shortage of fossil fuel and the environmental pollution problem, solar energy applications have drawn a lot of attention worldwide. This paper reports the use of the latest patented distributed photovoltaic (PV power system design, including the two possible maximum power point tracking (MPPT algorithms, a power optimizer, and a PV power controller, in grid-connected and standalone applications. A distributed PV system with four amorphous silicon thin-film solar panels is used to evaluate both the quadratic maximization (QM and the Steepest descent (SD MPPT algorithms. The system’s design is different for the QM or the SD MPPT algorithm being used. The test result for the grid-connected silicon-based PV panels will also be reported. Considering the settling time for the power optimizer to be 20 ms, the test result shows that the tracking time for the QM method is close to 200 ms, which is faster when compared with the SD method whose tracking time is 500 ms. Besides this, the use of the QM method provides a more stable power output since the tracking is restricted by a local power optimizer rather than the global tracking the SD method uses. For a standalone PV application, a solar-powered boat design with 18 PV panels using a cascaded MPPT controller is introduced, and it provides flexibility in system design and the effective use of photovoltaic energy.

Challenges to Grid Synchronization of Single-Phase Grid-Connected Inverters in Zero-Voltage Ride-Through Operation

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Zhang, Zhen; Yang, Yongheng; Blaabjerg, Frede

2016-01-01

With the fast development in Photovoltaic (PV) technology, the relevant grid-connection requirements/standards are continuously being updated, and more challenges have been imposed on both single-phase and three-phase grid-connected PV systems. For instance, PV systems are currently required...... to remain connected under grid voltage sags (even zero voltage condition). In this case, much attention should be paid to the grid synchronization in such a way to properly ride-through grid faults. Thus, in this paper, the most commonly-used and recently-developed Phase Locked Loop (PLL) synchronization...... methods have been evaluated for single-phase grid-connected PV systems in the case of Zero-Voltage Ride-Through (ZVRT) operation. The performances of the prior-art PLL methods in response to zero voltage faults in terms of detection precision and dynamic response are assessed in this paper. Simulation...

Voltage stability issues in a distribution grid with large scale PV plant

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Perez, Alvaro Ruiz; Marinopoulos, Antonios; Reza, Muhamad; Srivastava, Kailash [ABB AB, Vaesteraas (Sweden). Corporate Research Center; Hertem, Dirk van [Katholieke Univ. Leuven, Heverlee (Belgium). ESAT-ELECTA

2011-07-01

Solar photovoltaics (PV) has become a competitive renewable energy source. The production of solar PV cells and panels has increased significantly, while the cost is reduced due to economics of scale and technological achievements in the field. At the same time, the increase in efficiency of PV power systems and high energy prices are expected to lead PV systems to grid parity in the coming decade. This is expected to boost even more the large scale implementation of PV power plants (utility scale PV) and therefore the impact of such large scale PV plants to power system needs to be studies. This paper investigates the voltage stability issues arising from the connection of a large PV power plant to the power grid. For this purpose, a 15 MW PV power plant was implemented into a distribution grid, modeled and simulated using DIgSILENT Power Factory. Two scenarios were developed: in the first scenario, active power injected into the grid by the PV power plants was varied and the resulted U-Q curve was analyzed. In the second scenario, the impact of connecting PV power plants to different points in the grid - resulting in different strength of the connection - was investigated. (orig.)

A Single-Phase Voltage-Controlled Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System With Power Quality Conditioner Functionality

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kerekes, Tamas; Liserre, Marco; Mastromauro, R. A.

2009-01-01

Future ancillary services provided by photovoltaic (PV) systems could facilitate their penetration in power systems. Also low power PV systems can be designed to improve the power quality. This paper presents a single-phase photovoltaic system that provides grid voltage support and compensation o...

A practical technique for on-line monitoring of a photovoltaic plant connected to a single-phase grid

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yahyaoui, Imene; Segatto, Marcelo E.V.

2017-01-01

Highlights: • Automatic detection of main faults in PV systems is presented and tested. • Specific indicators detect bypass module, open-circuit string and partial shading. • The strategy efficiency is validated by experiments for two days. • The strategy allows the number of faulty PV modules and strings to be determined. • The method is effective and minimizes the use of sensors in the monitoring system. - Abstract: Improving the reliability and enhancing the performance of photovoltaic (PV) plants are important objectives that increase the competitiveness of the PV systems, especially for grid connected PV plants, for which, every kilowatt-hour is crucial, since only kilowatt-hours that are fed into the grid are remunerated. Therefore, monitoring and automatic faults detection during the PV panels operation are necessary to ensure the optimal use of the energy generated by the PV plant, and to provide a reliable power supply. In this research paper, two current and voltage indicators are used to analyze and to distinguish, in real-time, the faults related to bypassed PV modules, open-circuits strings and partial shading for a PV plant connected to a single-phase grid. Moreover, the presented strategy allows determining the total number of faulty PV modules and/or strings. The efficiencies of these indicators are tested by experiments, using a Control and Data Acquisition System, which proved the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Control and Modulation Techniques for a Centralized PV Generation System Grid Connected via an Interleaved Inverter

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gianluca Brando

2016-09-01

Full Text Available In the context of grid connected photovoitaic (PV generation systems, there are two paramount aspects regarding the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT of the photovoltaic units and the continuity of the service. The most diffused MPPT algorithms are based on either perturb and observe, or on an incremental conductance approach and need both PV current and voltage measurements. Several topology reconfigurable converters are also associated with the PV plants, guaranteeing fault-tolerant features. The generation continuity can also be assured by interleaved inverters, which keep the system operating at reduced maximum power in case of failure. In this paper, an evolution of a hysteresis based MPPT algorithm is presented, based on the measurement of only one voltage, together with a novel space vector modulation suitable for a two-channel three-phase grid connected interleaved inverter. The proposed MMPT algorithm and modulation technique are tested by means of several numerical analyses on a PV generation system of about 200 kW maximum power. The results testify the validity of the proposed strategies, showing good performance, even during a fault occurrence and in the presence of deep shading conditions.

Mission Profile Translation to Capacitor Stresses in Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Yang, Yongheng; Ma, Ke; Wang, Huai

2014-01-01

DC capacitors are widely adopted in grid-connected PhotoVoltaic(PV) systems for power stabilization and control decoupling. They have become one of the critical components in grid-connected PV inverters in terms of cost, reliability and volume. The electrical and thermal stresses of the DC...... stresses of the DC capacitors under both normal and abnormal grid conditions. As a consequence, this investigation provides new insights into the sizing and reliability prediction of those capacitors with respect to priorart studies. Two study cases on a single-stage PV inverter and a two-stage PV inverter...

Fundamentals of Grid Connected Photo-Voltaic Power Electronic Converter Design

OpenAIRE

Evju, Svein Erik

2007-01-01

In this master thesis the basic theory of grid connected photo-voltaic systems is explained, giving an introduction to the different aspects of system design. Starting with a look at the standards concerning grid connection of distributed resources, and working its way through how the photo-voltaic cells work, to how photo-voltaic modules with electrical converters can be arranged. Some different converter topologies suitable for use with photo-voltaics are found, and based on these topologie...

Predicting the behavior of a grid-connected photovoltaic system from measurements of solar radiation and ambient temperature

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hernandez, J.; Gordillo, G.; Vallejo, W.

2013-01-01

Highlights: ► A model to predict in a reliable way the behavior of a GCPV system is presented. ► Radiation and temperature behavior were shaped with probability density functions. ► This probability density functions were made from real measurements. ► This model was verified for comparing their behavior with real measurements. ► It can be used in any electrical systems language which have programming routines. - Abstract: This paper presents a methodology to predict in a statistically reliable way the behavior of a grid-connected photovoltaic system. The methodology developed can be implemented either in common programming software or through an off-the-shelf simulation of electrical systems. Initially, the atmospheric parameters that influence the behavior of PV generators (radiation and temperature) are characterized in a probabilistic manner. In parallel, a model compound by various PV generator components is defined: the modules (and their electrical and physical characteristics), their connection to form the generator, and the inverter type. This model was verified for comparing their behavior with output measured on a real installed system of 3.6 kWp. The solar resource characterized and the photovoltaic system model are integrated in a non-deterministic approach using the stochastic Monte Carlo method, developed in the programming language DPL of the electrical-systems simulation software DIGSILENT®. It is done to estimate the steady-state electrical parameters describing the influence of the grid-connected photovoltaic system. Specifically, we estimated the nominal peak power of the PV generator to minimize network losses, subject to constraints on nodes voltages and conductor currents

Dynamic voltage stability of a distribution system with high penetration of grid-connected photovoltaic type solar generators

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Zetty Adibah Kamaruzzaman

2016-06-01

Full Text Available This paper presents the impact of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV generator on dynamic voltage stability of a power distribution system by considering solar intermittency, PV penetration level, and contingencies such as line outage and load increase. The IEEE 13 node test feeder is used as a test system, and a solar PV of 0.48 kV/0.5 MVA is integrated into the test system. Test results show that system voltage is stable at high PV penetration levels. Increase in load causes voltage instability, in which voltage drops below its allowable operating limit. Thus, increase in PV penetration level does not improve system voltage stability because the system experiences voltage collapse during line outage.

System performance of a three-phase PV-grid-connected system installed in Thailand. Data monitored analysis

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Boonmee, Chaiyant; Watjanatepin, Napat; Plangklang, Boonyang

2009-01-01

PV-grid-connected systems are worldwide installed because it allows consumer to reduce energy consumption from the electricity grid and to feed the surplus energy back into the grid. The system needs no battery so therefore the system price is very cheap comparing to other PV systems. PV-grid-connected systems are used in buildings that already hooked up to the electrical grid. Finding efficiency of the PV-grid-connected system can be done by using a standard instrument which needs to disconnect the PV arrays from the grid before measurement. The measurement is also difficult and we lose energy during the measurement. This paper will present the system performance of a PV-grid-connected system installed in Thailand by using a monitoring system. The monitored data are installed by acquisition software into a computer. Analysis of monitored data will be done to find out the system performance without disconnecting the PV arrays from the system. The monitored data include solar radiation, PV voltage, PV current, and PV power which has been recorded from a 5 kWp system installed of amorphous silicon PV at Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi, Nonthaburi, Thailand. The system performance of the system by using the data monitored is compared to the standard instrument measurement. The paper will give all details about system components, monitoring system, and monitored data. The result of data analysis will be fully given. (author)

Comparative Analysis of Inversors for Small PV Systems Grid Connected

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sidrach de Cardona, M.; Ramirez, L.

2001-01-01

The energy produced by a grid connected photovoltaic system is a function of weather conditions, mainly available radiation and temperature, photovoltaic array efficiency and inverter characteristics. The results obtained in experimental measurements with four small grid-connected inverters are described in this work. The main goal is to know the inverter performance in real operation conditions. For this purpose a 2 kW photovoltaic system has been used. These results allow us to know both the inverter efficiency and its output power quality. The following parameters have been evaluated as a function of output inverter power: efficiency, point of maximum power tracking, intensity and voltage waveform, total harmonic distortion and harmonic values to 31 order, frequency, power factor and reactive power. Other interesting parameters like stand-by energy consumption and daily losses due to the inverter threshold have also been analyzed. The results allow us to know the inverter features as a function of its real work point. In our comparative study it is possible to observe remarkable differences between the inverters; these results show how important it is to have a unique standard for inverters to photovoltaic grid-connected systems. (Author) 10 refs

Three-Phase Grid-Connected of Photovoltaic Generator Using Nonlinear Control

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Yahya, A.; El Fadil, H.; Guerrero, Josep M.

2014-01-01

This paper proposes a nonlinear control methodology for three phase grid connected of PV generator. It consists of a PV arrays; a voltage source inverter, a grid filter and an electric grid. The controller objectives are threefold: i) ensuring the Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in the side...... stability analysis and simulation results that the proposed controller meets all the objectives....

Control and performance analysis of grid connected photovoltaic systems of two different technologies in a desert environment

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Layachi ZAGHBA

2017-12-01

Full Text Available In this study, is to investigate the effect of real climatic conditions on the performance parameters of a 9 kWp grid connected photovoltaic plant during one-year using typical days installed in the desert environment in south of Algeria (Ghardaia site. The PV plant contain the following components: solar PV array, with a DC/DC boost converter, neural MPPT, that allow maximal power conversion into the grid, have been included. These methods can extract maximum power from each of the independent PV arrays connected to DC link voltage level, a DC/AC inverter and a PI current control system. The PV array is divides in two parallel PV technology types; the first includes 100 PV modules mono-crystalline silicon (mc-Si arranged in 20 parallel groups of 5 modules in series, and the second of composed of 24 amorphous modules (Inventux X series, arranged in 6 parallel groups of 4 modules in series. The proposed system tested using MATLAB/SIMULINK platform in which a maximum power tracked under constant and real varying solar irradiance. The study concluded that output power and energy from two PV technology types (mc-Si and Amorphous-Si increases linearly with increase of solar irradiance.

PV-HYBRID and MINI-GRID. Proceedings

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2006-07-01

Within the 3rd European Conference at the Centre de Congres in Aix en Provence (France) between 11th and 12th May, 2006, the following lessons were held: (1) Small electric networks: European drivers and projects for the integration of RES and DG into the electricity grids of the future (Manuel Sanchez-Jimenez); (2) PV hybrid system within mini grids - IEA PVPS programme (Meuch Konraf); (3) Renewables for the developing world (Alvaro Ponce Plaza); (4) Rural electicity supply using photovoltaic / - Diesel hybrid systems: Attractive for investors in the renewable energy sector? (Andreas Hahn); (5) Economic analysis of stand-alone and grid-connected photovoltaic systems under current tariff structure of Taiwan (Yaw-Juen Wang); (6) Using wind-PV-diesel hybrid system for electrification of remote village in Western Libya (N.M. Kreama); (7) Venezuela's renewable energy program for small towns and rural areas ''Sembrando Luz'' (Jorge Torres); (8) AeroSmart5, the professional, sysem-compatible small-scale wind energy converter will be tested in field tests (Fabian Jochem); (9) Lifetime, test procedures and recommendations for optimal operating strategies for lead-acid-batteries in renewable energy systems - A survey on results from European projects from the 5th framework programme (Rudi Kaiser); (10) Prototype of a reversible fuel cell system for autonomous power supplies (Tom Smolinska); (11) Interconnection management in microgrids (Michel Vandenbergh); (12) Control strategy for a small-scale stand-alone power system based on renewable energy and hydrogen (Harald Miland); (13) Standard renewable electricity supply for people in rural areas - mini-grids in western provinces of China (Michael Wollny); (14) The Brava island a ''100% renewable energy'' project (Jean-Christian Marcel); (15) Breakthrough to a new era of PV-hybrid systems with the help of standardised components communication? (Michael Mueller); (16) Standardized

Modeling, control, and simulation of grid connected intelligent hybrid battery/photovoltaic system using new hybrid fuzzy-neural method.

Science.gov (United States)

Rezvani, Alireza; Khalili, Abbas; Mazareie, Alireza; Gandomkar, Majid

2016-07-01

Nowadays, photovoltaic (PV) generation is growing increasingly fast as a renewable energy source. Nevertheless, the drawback of the PV system is its dependence on weather conditions. Therefore, battery energy storage (BES) can be considered to assist for a stable and reliable output from PV generation system for loads and improve the dynamic performance of the whole generation system in grid connected mode. In this paper, a novel topology of intelligent hybrid generation systems with PV and BES in a DC-coupled structure is presented. Each photovoltaic cell has a specific point named maximum power point on its operational curve (i.e. current-voltage or power-voltage curve) in which it can generate maximum power. Irradiance and temperature changes affect these operational curves. Therefore, the nonlinear characteristic of maximum power point to environment has caused to development of different maximum power point tracking techniques. In order to capture the maximum power point (MPP), a hybrid fuzzy-neural maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method is applied in the PV system. Obtained results represent the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method, and the average tracking efficiency of the hybrid fuzzy-neural is incremented by approximately two percentage points in comparison to the conventional methods. It has the advantages of robustness, fast response and good performance. A detailed mathematical model and a control approach of a three-phase grid-connected intelligent hybrid system have been proposed using Matlab/Simulink. Copyright © 2016 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Application of MV/LV Transformers with OLTC for Increasing the PV Hosting Capacity Of LV Grids

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Hashemi Toghroljerdi, Seyedmostafa; Heckmann, Wolfram; Geibel, Dominik

2015-01-01

The increased use of grid connected photovoltaic (PV) systems in low voltage (LV) grids also raises concern regarding the effects of these new generation units on the grid operation. Overvoltage in LV grids during high PV generation periods is one of the well-known effects caused by PV systems......) and the reactive power absorption by PV inverters, are investigated using field test results and simulations performed on the mentioned LV grid. The results show that the application of OLTC can effectively increase the PV hosting capacity of the grid......., which potentially can decrease the PV hosting capacity of electric grids. This paper presents the applications of medium voltage to low voltage (MV/LV) transformers with on-load tap changers (OLTCs) to prevent overvoltage in high PV penetration conditions. Autonomous methods for controlling...

Output-Feedback Nonlinear Adaptive Control Strategy of the Single-Phase Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Abdelmajid Abouloifa

2018-01-01

Full Text Available This paper addresses the problem of controlling the single-phase grid connected to the photovoltaic system through a full bridge inverter with LCL-filter. The control aims are threefold: (i imposing the voltage in the output of PV panel to track a reference provided by the MPPT block; (ii regulating the DC-link voltage to guarantee the power exchange between the source and AC grid; (iii ensuring a satisfactory power factor correction (PFC. The problem is dealt with using a cascade nonlinear adaptive controller that is developed making use of sliding-mode technique and observers in order to estimate the state variables and grid parameters, by measuring only the grid current, PV voltage, and the DC bus voltage. The control problem addressed by this work involves several difficulties, including the uncertainty of some parameters of the system and the numerous state variables are inaccessible to measurements. The results are confirmed by simulation under MATLAB∖Simulink∖SimPowerSystems, which show that the proposed regulator is robust with respect to climate changes.

Distributed photovoltaic grid transformers

CERN Document Server

Shertukde, Hemchandra Madhusudan

2014-01-01

The demand for alternative energy sources fuels the need for electric power and controls engineers to possess a practical understanding of transformers suitable for solar energy. Meeting that need, Distributed Photovoltaic Grid Transformers begins by explaining the basic theory behind transformers in the solar power arena, and then progresses to describe the development, manufacture, and sale of distributed photovoltaic (PV) grid transformers, which help boost the electric DC voltage (generally at 30 volts) harnessed by a PV panel to a higher level (generally at 115 volts or higher) once it is

High-Speed Monitoring of Multiple Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Array Configurations and Supplementary Weather Station.

Science.gov (United States)

Boyd, Matthew T

2017-06-01

Three grid-connected monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic arrays have been instrumented with research-grade sensors on the Gaithersburg, MD campus of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These arrays range from 73 kW to 271 kW and have different tilts, orientations, and configurations. Irradiance, temperature, wind, and electrical measurements at the arrays are recorded, and images are taken of the arrays to monitor shading and capture any anomalies. A weather station has also been constructed that includes research-grade instrumentation to measure all standard meteorological quantities plus additional solar irradiance spectral bands, full spectrum curves, and directional components using multiple irradiance sensor technologies. Reference photovoltaic (PV) modules are also monitored to provide comprehensive baseline measurements for the PV arrays. Images of the whole sky are captured, along with images of the instrumentation and reference modules to document any obstructions or anomalies. Nearly, all measurements at the arrays and weather station are sampled and saved every 1s, with monitoring having started on Aug. 1, 2014. This report describes the instrumentation approach used to monitor the performance of these photovoltaic systems, measure the meteorological quantities, and acquire the images for use in PV performance and weather monitoring and computer model validation.

A Combined Two-Method MPPT Control Scheme for Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Dorofte, Christinel; Borup, Uffe; Blaabjerg, Frede

2005-01-01

In order to increase the output efficiency of a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system it is important to have an efficient Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT). In the case of low irradiation, the Perturb and Observe (PO) and Incremental Conductance (IC) methods have a poor efficiency, because...... of the poor resolution in the acquired signals, when a fixed point implementation is done. A cost-effective two-method MPPT control scheme is proposed in this paper to track the maximum power point (MPP) at both low and high irradiation, by combining a Constant Voltage (CV) method and modified PO algorithm...

Current Harmonics from Single-Phase Grid-Connected Inverters

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Yang, Yongheng; Zhou, Keliang; Blaabjerg, Frede

2016-01-01

Environmental conditions and operational modes may significantly impact the distortion level of the injected current from single-phase grid-connected inverter systems, such as photovoltaic (PV) inverters, which may operate in cloudy days with a maximum power point tracking, in a non-unity power...... factor, or in the low voltage ride through mode with reactive current injection. In this paper, the mechanism of the harmonic current injection from grid-connected single-phase inverter systems is thus explored, and the analysis is conducted on single-phase PV systems. In particular, the analysis...... is focused on the impacts of the power factor and the feed-in grid current level on the quality of the feed-in grid current from single-phase inverters. As a consequence, an internal model principle based high performance current control solution is tailor-made and developed for single-phase grid-connected...

Highlight of Grid-connected PV systems in administrative buildings in Egypt

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Dina Said

2017-03-01

Full Text Available Solar energy applications are becoming increasingly common in Egypt. The abundant sunshine in Egypt, as well as the increasing competitiveness of solar energy systems including- but not limited to photovoltaic (PV, – predicts that these technologies could be weighed to be raised in Egypt.PV systems are installed on roof tiles or other parts of building structures to supplement grid utility, reduce electric bills, and provide emergency back–up energy. Moreover, they simultaneously reduce significant amounts of CO2 emissions. It is foreseen, a number of residential and public buildings in Egypt are using solar power to cut electric utility bills significantly. The approximately payback period to recover the investment costs for PV systems is up to about 5 years.  In addition, it is more economical to use PV system than grid utility systems. The two components that determine the total initial price of a grid- connected PV system are the modules and the balance of systems (BOS. The BOS includes different components such as mounting frames, inverters and site- specific installation hardware.The Government of Egypt (GOE has endorsed the deployment of PV systems through three approaches. It started with a prime minister decree to install PV projects on one-thousand of the governmental buildings. This was followed by as an initiative called "Shamsk ya Masr", and finally the Feed-in Tariff (FiT projects.Following the prime minster decree the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC and its affiliated companies took the lead to install PV systems at the top roof of their administrative buildings and interconnect these systems to the electricity network where the suitable locations have been selected for mounting them. About 90 PV systems have been already mounted with about a capacity of 9 MW. On the other hand, "Shamsk ya Masr" has considered energy efficiency (EE so as to complement the PV systems, which will be installed on administrative

Performance evaluation of a 2-mode PV grid connected system in Thailand -- Case study

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jivacate, C.; Mongconvorawan, S.; Sinratanapukdee, E.; Limsawatt, W. [Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Nontha Buri (Thailand)

1994-12-31

A PV grid connected system with small battery bank has been set up in a rural district, North Thailand in order to demonstrate a 2-mode operation concept. The objective is to gain experience on the PV grid connected concept without battery storage. However, due to the evening peak demand and a rather weak distribution grid which is typical in rural areas, small battery bank is still required to enable the maximum energy transfer to grid for the time being before moving fully to the no battery mode. The analyzed data seems to indicate possible performance improvement by re-arranging the number of PV modules and battery in the string.

Overcoming PV grid issues in the urban areas

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ehara, T.

2009-10-15

This report for the International Energy Agency (IEA) made by Task 10 of the Photovoltaic Power Systems (PVPS) programme takes a look at grid issues in urban photovoltaic electricity and how to overcome them. The mission of the Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme is to enhance the international collaboration efforts which accelerate the development and deployment of photovoltaic solar energy as a significant and sustainable renewable energy option. The objective of Task 10 is stated as being to enhance the opportunities for wide-scale, solution-oriented application of photovoltaics in the urban environment. The paper discusses the goal of mainstreaming PV systems in the urban environment. In this report, PV grid interconnection issues and countermeasures based on the latest studies are identified and summarised. Appropriate and understandable information is provided for all possible stakeholders. Possible impacts and benefits of PV grid interconnection are identified, technical measures designed to eliminate negative impacts and enhance possible benefits are presented. The status of research and demonstration projects is introduced and the latest outcomes are summarised. Recommendations and conclusions based on the review process are summarised and presented.

Performance Analysis of a Grid-Connected Upgraded Metallurgical Grade Silicon Photovoltaic System

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Chao Huang

2016-05-01

Full Text Available Because of their low cost, photovoltaic (PV cells made from upgraded metallurgical grade silicon (UMG-Si are a promising alternative to conventional solar grade silicon-based PV cells. This study investigates the outdoor performance of a 1.26 kW grid-connected UMG-Si PV system over five years, reporting the energy yields and performance ratio and estimating the long-term performance degradation rate. To make this investigation more meaningful, the performance of a mono-Si PV system installed at the same place and studied during the same period of time is presented for reference. Furthermore, this study systematizes and rationalizes the necessity of a data selection and filtering process to improve the accuracy of degradation rate estimation. The impact of plane-of-array irradiation threshold for data filtering on performance ratio and degradation rate is also studied. The UMG-Si PV system’s monthly performance ratio after data filtering ranged from 84% to 93% over the observation period. The annual degradation rate was 0.44% derived from time series of monthly performance ratio using the classical decomposition method. A comparison of performance ratio and degradation rate to conventional crystalline silicon-based PV systems suggests that performance of the UMG-Si PV system is comparable to that of conventional systems.

Quantitative Analysis Method of Output Loss due to Restriction for Grid-connected PV Systems

Science.gov (United States)

Ueda, Yuzuru; Oozeki, Takashi; Kurokawa, Kosuke; Itou, Takamitsu; Kitamura, Kiyoyuki; Miyamoto, Yusuke; Yokota, Masaharu; Sugihara, Hiroyuki

Voltage of power distribution line will be increased due to reverse power flow from grid-connected PV systems. In the case of high density grid connection, amount of voltage increasing will be higher than the stand-alone grid connection system. To prevent the over voltage of power distribution line, PV system's output will be restricted if the voltage of power distribution line is close to the upper limit of the control range. Because of this interaction, amount of output loss will be larger in high density case. This research developed a quantitative analysis method for PV systems output and losses to clarify the behavior of grid connected PV systems. All the measured data are classified into the loss factors using 1 minute average of 1 second data instead of typical 1 hour average. Operation point on the I-V curve is estimated to quantify the loss due to the output restriction using module temperature, array output voltage, array output current and solar irradiance. As a result, loss due to output restriction is successfully quantified and behavior of output restriction is clarified.

Integration of electric vehicles with optimum sized storage for grid connected photo-voltaic system

OpenAIRE

Sulabh Sachan

2017-01-01

The necessity of energy storage by means of battery/EV is exceedingly expected in event of energy blackouts. Different advantages incorporate sparing the cash in purchasing top time power and support the grid when grid power is deficit against the load demand. In this paper, ideal size of energy storage in a grid associated photovoltaic (PV) framework is proposed. The methodology of energy flow choice is produced with the appraisal on accessibility of PV yield control and the load demand. The...

Life cycle assessment of grid-connected photovoltaic power generation from crystalline silicon solar modules in China

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hou, Guofu; Sun, Honghang; Jiang, Ziying; Pan, Ziqiang; Wang, Yibo; Zhang, Xiaodan; Zhao, Ying; Yao, Qiang

2016-01-01

Graphical abstract: Comparison of life cycle GHG emissions of various power sources. - Highlights: • The LCA study of grid-connected PV generation with silicon solar modules in China has been performed. • The energy payback times range from 1.6 to 2.3 years. • The GHG emissions are in the range of 60.1–87.3 g-CO_2,eq/kW h. • The PV manufacturing process occupied about 85% or higher of total energy usage and total GHG emission. • The SoG-Si production process accounted for more than 35% of total energy consumption and GHG emissions. - Abstract: The environmental impacts of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power generation from crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar modules in China have been investigated using life cycle assessment (LCA). The life cycle inventory was first analyzed. Then the energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission during every process were estimated in detail, and finally the life-cycle value was calculated. The results showed that the energy payback time (T_E_P_B_T) of grid-connected PV power with crystalline silicon solar modules ranges from 1.6 to 2.3 years, while the GHG emissions now range from 60.1 to 87.3 g-CO_2,eq/kW h depending on the installation methods. About 84% or even more of the total energy consumption and total GHG emission occupied during the PV manufacturing process. The solar grade silicon (SoG-Si) production is the most energy-consuming and GHG-emitting process, which accounts for more than 35% of the total energy consumption and the total GHG emission. The results presented in this study are expected to provide useful information to enact reasonable policies, development targets, as well as subsidies for PV technology in China.

Overview of Recent Grid Codes for PV Power Integration

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Craciun, Bogdan-Ionut; Kerekes, Tamas; Sera, Dezso

2012-01-01

The challenge to bring down the cost of produced photovoltaic (PV) power had a major impact on the PV market and in consequence the grid operators experienced higher and higher PV power penetration. The growing share of this decentralized generation plants started to affect the grid stability...

Grid-Forming-Mode Operation of Boost-Power-Stage Converter in PV-Generator-Interfacing Applications

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jukka Viinamäki

2017-07-01

Full Text Available The application of constant power control and inclusion of energy storage in grid-connected photovoltaic (PV energy systems may increase the use of two-stage system structures composed of DC–DC-converter-interfaced PV generator and grid-connected inverter connected in cascade. A typical PV-generator-interfacing DC–DC converter is a boost-power-stage converter. The renewable energy system may operate in three different operation modes—grid-forming, grid-feeding, and grid-supporting modes. In the last two operation modes, the outmost feedback loops are taken from the input terminal of the associated power electronic converters, which usually does not pose stability problems in terms of their input sources. In the grid-forming operation mode, the outmost feedback loops have to be connected to the output terminal of the associated power electronic converters, and hence the input terminal will behave as a negative incremental resistor at low frequencies. This property will limit the operation of the PV interfacing converter in either the constant voltage or constant current region of the PV generator for ensuring stable operation. The boost-power-stage converter can be applied as a voltage or current-fed converter limiting the stable operation region accordingly. The investigations of this paper show explicitly that only the voltage-fed mode would provide feasible dynamic and stability properties as a viable interfacing converter.

Cost reduction in PV manufacturing. Impact on grid-connected and building-integrated markets

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Maycock, Paul D.

1997-01-01

In the past three years there have been several key events or changes that can lead to fully economic, massive deployment to the grid-connected and central PV markets. The factors discussed in this report include: (1) significant cost reduction in single crystal and polycrystal silicon so that modules profitably priced at $3.10-$3.30 per peak watt and installed grid-connected systems with installed cost of $5.50 per watt are being offered; (2) several new thin film plants - amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, and copper indium diselenide are being built for 1996, 1997 production with greatly reduced costs; (3) government subsidized volume orders for PV in grid-connected houses (Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the United States) provide volume (2000+ units per year) that lead to reduced costs; (4) environmental benefits for PV are being applied in Europe and Japan permitting 'early adopters' to enter the market; and (5) government and commercial acceptance of PV building integrated products, especially in Europe, are expanding PV markets. The combination of these forces lead to the prediction that an 'accelerated' market mode could start in the year 2000

The photovoltaic energy market after 2000. Market survey and segmentation of and stimulation tools for the grid-connected photovoltaic energy market in the Netherlands after the year 2000

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Koot, E.J.; Middelkoop, D.J.

2000-01-01

As a preparation to a new photovoltaic covenant for the period 2001-2007 the Photovoltaic (PV) Steering Group ordered Ekomation to map the market potential (in Megawatt) for grid-connected PV systems of the most important market segments in the Netherlands. Two workshops were organized in which the most important parties (both supply-side and demand-side of the market) were involved in the discussion on the desired market strategy up to the year 2007, the most important market segments and the tools, required for market development. Results of the quantitative and qualitative market survey and the workshops are presented and discussed in this report. 20 refs

Study on unitized inverter with photovoltaic grid-connected and stand-alone functions

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wang, Haining; Su, Jianhui; Ding, Ming [Hefei University of Technology, Hefei (China)

2008-07-01

The main circuit and algorithm of unitized single phase inverter are presented, in which photovoltaic (PV) grid-connected algorithm, independency sine inverter algorithm and storage battery charge administer are all integrated basing on DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The control system identifies utility failure initiatively and then switches to independency power supply automatically. The methods of charging battery are multiform. Basing on material term to use utility or solar array to charge can optimize charge efficiency, assure the capacitance of battery and prolong life-span of battery. In addition, some results are offered basing on the prototype of a 2.5kW single phase inverter. (orig.)

Integration of electric vehicles with optimum sized storage for grid connected photo-voltaic system

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Sulabh Sachan

2017-12-01

Full Text Available The necessity of energy storage by means of battery/EV is exceedingly expected in event of energy blackouts. Different advantages incorporate sparing the cash in purchasing top time power and support the grid when grid power is deficit against the load demand. In this paper, ideal size of energy storage in a grid associated photovoltaic (PV framework is proposed. The methodology of energy flow choice is produced with the appraisal on accessibility of PV yield control and the load demand. The energy flow decision is changed by peak and off peak hours to shorten the functional cost of the grid associated PV framework with storage. Naturally, the quantities of electric vehicles that can be associated are resolved.

Long term performance analysis of a grid connected photovoltaic system in Northern Ireland

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mondol, Jayanta Deb; Yohanis, Yigzaw; Smyth, Mervyn; Norton, Brian

2006-01-01

The performance of a 13 kW p roof mounted, grid connected photovoltaic system in Northern Ireland over a period of three years has been analysed on hourly, daily and monthly bases. The derived parameters included reference yield, array yield, final yield, array capture losses, system losses, PV and inverter efficiencies and performance ratio. The effects of insolation and inverter operation on the system performance were investigated. The monthly average daily PV, system and inverter efficiencies varied from 4.5% to 9.2%, 3.6% to 7.8% and 50% to 87%, respectively. The annual average PV, system and inverter efficiencies were 7.6%, 6.4% and 75%, respectively. The monthly average daily DC and AC performance ratios ranged from 0.35 to 0.74 and 0.29 to 0.66, respectively. The annual average monthly AC performance ratios for the three years were 0.60, 0.61 and 0.62, respectively. The performance of this system is compared with that of other representative systems internationally

Grid-connected wind and photovoltaic system

Science.gov (United States)

Devabakthuni, Sindhuja

The objective of this thesis is to design a grid connected wind and photovoltaic system. A new model of converter control was designed which maintains the voltage of the bus to grid as constant when combined system of solar and wind is connected to AC bus. The model is designed to track maximum power at each point irrespective of changes in irradiance, temperature and wind speed which affects the power supplied to grid. Solar power from the sun is not constant as it is affected by changes in irradiances and temperature. Even the wind power is affected by wind speed. A MPPT controller was designed for both systems. A boost converter is designed which uses the pulses from MPPT controller to boost the output. Wind system consists of wind turbine block from the MATLAB with a pitch angle controller to maintain optimum pitch angle. The output from wind turbine is connected to a permanent magnet synchronous generator. The unregulated DC output from the photovoltaic system is directly given to boost converter. The AC output from the wind system is given to an uncontrolled rectifier to get a unregulated DC output. The unregulated DC output goes to the boost converter. A voltage source inverter was designed which converts the rectified DC output from the boost converter to AC power. The inverter is designed to maintain constant AC bus voltage irrespective of the disturbances in the power supply. Photovoltaic and wind systems are individually designed for 5KW each in MATLAB-Simulink environment. In this thesis, the models were subjected to changes in irradiance, temperature and wind speed and the results were interpreted. The model was successful in tracking maximum at every instant and the AC bus voltage was maintained constant throughout the simulation.

Determining Maximum Photovoltaic Penetration in a Distribution Grid considering Grid Operation Limits

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kordheili, Reza Ahmadi; Bak-Jensen, Birgitte; Pillai, Jayakrishnan Radhakrishna

2014-01-01

High penetration of photovoltaic panels in distribution grid can bring the grid to its operation limits. The main focus of the paper is to determine maximum photovoltaic penetration level in the grid. Three main criteria were investigated for determining maximum penetration level of PV panels...... for this grid: even distribution of PV panels, aggregation of panels at the beginning of each feeder, and aggregation of panels at the end of each feeder. Load modeling is done using Velander formula. Since PV generation is highest in the summer due to irradiation, a summer day was chosen to determine maximum......; maximum voltage deviation of customers, cables current limits, and transformer nominal value. Voltage deviation of different buses was investigated for different penetration levels. The proposed model was simulated on a Danish distribution grid. Three different PV location scenarios were investigated...

A novel multi-model neuro-fuzzy-based MPPT for three-phase grid-connected photovoltaic system

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chaouachi, Aymen; Kamel, Rashad M.; Nagasaka, Ken [Department of Electronic and Information Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Nakamachi (Japan)

2010-12-15

This paper presents a novel methodology for Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) of a grid-connected 20 kW photovoltaic (PV) system using neuro-fuzzy network. The proposed method predicts the reference PV voltage guarantying optimal power transfer between the PV generator and the main utility grid. The neuro-fuzzy network is composed of a fuzzy rule-based classifier and three multi-layered feed forwarded Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). Inputs of the network (irradiance and temperature) are classified before they are fed into the appropriated ANN for either training or estimation process while the output is the reference voltage. The main advantage of the proposed methodology, comparing to a conventional single neural network-based approach, is the distinct generalization ability regarding to the nonlinear and dynamic behavior of a PV generator. In fact, the neuro-fuzzy network is a neural network based multi-model machine learning that defines a set of local models emulating the complex and nonlinear behavior of a PV generator under a wide range of operating conditions. Simulation results under several rapid irradiance variations proved that the proposed MPPT method fulfilled the highest efficiency comparing to a conventional single neural network and the Perturb and Observe (P and O) algorithm dispositive. (author)

Technical and economic analysis of a 1mw grid-connected solar photovoltaic power system at KNUST-Kumasi

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nyarko Kumi, Ebenezer

2012-09-01

Grid-connected solar PV systems, though the fastest growing renewable energy technology in the world, have not been fully exploited in Africa; one of the reasons being the very high initial investment. Prices of solar PV systems have however been on a decline for the past few years due to technological innovations which have led to improvements in cell efficiencies and the economies of scale resulting from increase in production. The main purpose of this thesis is to present a technical and economic analysis of a 1MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic power system for the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi using rooftops of buildings on the campus. A solar resource assessment done to know the amount of solar radiation available at KNUST showed that KNUST receives about 4.30kWh/m 2 /day. A roof assessment which considered parameters such as the surface orientation and pitch of roofs, roof area and the possibility of shading of the roof, also revealed there is about 43,697m 2 of roof space available for grid-connected solar PV installations. In technical analysis of the 1MWp solar PV system, the three (3) commonest solar PV module technologies were selected and their performance simulated using PVsyst software. Amorphous silicon modules were found to perform better than monocrystalline and polycrystalline modules over the one (1) year simulation period. The financial analysis carried out using RETScreen revealed that at a solar PV market price of US$4.45/Wp and a tariff of US$0.11/kWh (tariff paid for Asogli Power Plant which happens to be the most expensive generation source in the country), the project is not viable unless feed-in tariffs greater than US$0.43/kWh are paid. (au)

The market for photovoltaic (PV) technology

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Frantzis, L.; Vejtasa, K.M.

1993-01-01

This paper describes a study that was intended to provide the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) with a market analysis for photovoltaic (PV) technologies under development by EPRI and others. The analysis was to focus on markets and factors leading to significant incremental growth for PV demand, large enough to support more efficient scale PV manufacturing capacity. EPRI anticipates that PV ultimately could provide grid-connected power, however, the 1995--2010 market dynamics are uncertain. The specific objectives of this study, therefore, were to: determine what major future domestic US markets for PV technologies will emerge and provide enough volume to support significant improvements in manufacturing costs through manufacturing economies of scale; provide insight on what is needed to gain acceptance of PV technologies for electric power generation in those major markets; provide insight on when investments in demonstration and manufacturing facilities should be made and what is needed to be successful in each element of the business that these markets could support (e.g., technology development, manufacturing, sales, installation, and service); and provide key insights on the requirements for commercial success of PV in the utility sector

grid-connected photovoltaic system design for local government

African Journals Online (AJOL)

user

wind power and has durability of more than twenty five years with a very minimal .... enhance energy yield of grid connected PV power plant by naturally catching .... cause it to operate at maximum power point irrespective of changing weather ...

Comparison of Different MPPT Algorithms with a Proposed One Using a Power Estimator for Grid Connected PV Systems

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Manel Hlaili

2016-01-01

Full Text Available Photovoltaic (PV energy is one of the most important energy sources since it is clean and inexhaustible. It is important to operate PV energy conversion systems in the maximum power point (MPP to maximize the output energy of PV arrays. An MPPT control is necessary to extract maximum power from the PV arrays. In recent years, a large number of techniques have been proposed for tracking the maximum power point. This paper presents a comparison of different MPPT methods and proposes one which used a power estimator and also analyses their suitability for systems which experience a wide range of operating conditions. The classic analysed methods, the incremental conductance (IncCond, perturbation and observation (P&O, ripple correlation (RC algorithms, are suitable and practical. Simulation results of a single phase NPC grid connected PV system operating with the aforementioned methods are presented to confirm effectiveness of the scheme and algorithms. Simulation results verify the correct operation of the different MPPT and the proposed algorithm.

Low Voltage Ride-Through of Two-Stage Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems Through the Inherent Linear Power-Voltage Characteristic

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Yang, Yongheng; Sangwongwanich, Ariya; Liu, Hongpeng

2017-01-01

In this paper, a cost-effective control scheme for two-stage grid-connected PhotoVoltaic (PV) systems in Low Voltage Ride-Through (LVRT) operation is proposed. In the case of LVRT, the active power injection by PV panels should be limited to prevent from inverter over-current and also energy...... aggregation at the dc-link, which will challenge the dc-link capacitor lifetime if remains uncontrolled. At the same time, reactive currents should be injected upon any demand imposed by the system operators. In the proposed scheme, the two objectives can be feasibly achieved. The active power is regulated...... point tracking controller without significant hardware or software modifications. In this way, the PV system will not operate at the maximum power point, whereas the inverter will not face any over-current challenge but can provide reactive power support in response to the grid voltage fault...

Actual performance and characteristic of a grid connected photovoltaic power system in the tropics: A short term evaluation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Khatib, Tamer; Sopian, Kamaruzzaman; Kazem, Hussein A.

2013-01-01

Highlights: • We analyzed an actual performance of grid connected PV system. • We derived accurate models for the system based on the actual performance. • We assist the electricity productively of the proposed system. - Abstract: This paper presents a field operation experience for a grid connected PV system under tropical climate. The system is consisted of a 5 kWp photovoltaic (PV) array and a 6 kW DC/AC inverter. The operation performance data are recorded in order to develop accurate mathematical models for the system as well as to evaluate the productivity of the system. The experiment results show that, the average PV performance (the ratio of the theoretical performance to the actual performance) is 73.12% while the average inverter performance (the ratio of the theoretical inverter efficiency to the actual inverter efficiency) is 98.56%. Moreover, it is found that the daily yield factor of the PV system is 2.51 kW h/kWp day while, the capacity factor is 10.47%. However, it is concluded that the productivity of the system is below the prospected rate and thus, an inspection of the system must be done in order to diagnose the problem of the system’s low productivity. This paper presents worthwhile information for those who are interested in PV system installation in Malaysia and nearby country

The Impact of Transformer Winding Connections of A Grid-Connected PV on Voltage Quality Improvement

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Muljadi, Eduard [National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Tumbelaka, Hanny H. [Petra Christian University; Gao, Wenzhong [University of Denver

2018-03-01

In this paper, the high-power PV plant is connected to the weak grid by means of a three-phase power transformer. The selection of transformer winding connection is critical especially when the PV inverter has a reactive power controller. In general, transformer winding connection can be arranged in star-star (with neutral earthed) or star-delta. The reactive power controller supports voltage regulation of the power system particularly under transient faults. Its control strategy is based on utilizing the grid currents to make a three-phase reactive unbalanced current with a small gain. The gain is determined by the system impedance. Simulation results exhibit that the control strategy works very well particularly under disturbance conditions when the transformer winding connection is star-star with both neutrals grounded. The power quality in terms of the voltage quality is improved.

Factors that can influence the economic feasibility of stand-alone and grid-connected photovoltaic systems: case studies using the software AVES-F

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Blasques, L.C.M.; Pinho, J.T.

2004-01-01

This paper presents case studies of economic feasibility of solar photovoltaic systems using the software AVES-F (Analysis of Economic Feasibility of Photovoltaic Systems), developed by the authors, considering cases of stand-alone and grid-connected systems. The software takes into account several factors that can influence the economic feasibility of these kind of systems, like load to be supplied, distance to the grid, the use regime of the system, applied subsidies and others. The main goal of this paper is to analyze some of these factors and to observe how they can affect the economics of PV systems for electricity generation. (authors)

Grid-connected solar electricity going mainstream

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

MacLellan, I.

2004-01-01

In 20 days, the sun provides the equivalent amount of energy found in all known fossil fuel reserves. This paper provides an outline of solar energy industry activities from the perspective of Arise Technologies, a Canadian-based solar energy company. An overview of the company's vision and marketing strategy was presented, including annual sales. Details of the company's commercial projects were reviewed, with specific reference to the first Canadian grid-connected solar electric subdivision. An introduction to photovoltaic electricity (PV) as an environmentally positive energy source was presented. Statistics included information on the current solar market worldwide as well as government and industry investment. Portable solar energy applications were provided, as well as grid-tied products in relation to private dwelling and commercial, industrial and institutional buildings. Details of an Arise solar home were presented. An outline of the Technology Early Action Measures (TEAM) was presented, with reference to the federal government's Climate Change Action Plan. The benefits of solar economics were given. PV factory production was overviewed, with a presentation of the experience curve and the number of grid-connected solar electric homes globally. Top global PV manufacturers were listed as well as a chart of world energy transitions underlining the emergence of renewable energy programs and systems. A summary of solar energy in Japan was provided, along with details of mid and long term solar energy planning, as well as other projects around the world. Canadian investment in PV was compared with other countries and details of past government spending on other energy sources were also presented. It was concluded that Canada was far behind other G-8 countries with reference to grid-connected PV, but that off-grid PV was a real business in Canada. It was also concluded that Japan would represent the first real mainstream grid-connected market, followed by Europe

Grid-connected solar electricity going mainstream

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

MacLellan, I. [Arise Technologies Corp., Kitchener, ON (Canada)

2004-06-01

In 20 days, the sun provides the equivalent amount of energy found in all known fossil fuel reserves. This paper provides an outline of solar energy industry activities from the perspective of Arise Technologies, a Canadian-based solar energy company. An overview of the company's vision and marketing strategy was presented, including annual sales. Details of the company's commercial projects were reviewed, with specific reference to the first Canadian grid-connected solar electric subdivision. An introduction to photovoltaic electricity (PV) as an environmentally positive energy source was presented. Statistics included information on the current solar market worldwide as well as government and industry investment. Portable solar energy applications were provided, as well as grid-tied products in relation to private dwelling and commercial, industrial and institutional buildings. Details of an Arise solar home were presented. An outline of the Technology Early Action Measures (TEAM) was presented, with reference to the federal government's Climate Change Action Plan. The benefits of solar economics were given. PV factory production was overviewed, with a presentation of the experience curve and the number of grid-connected solar electric homes globally. Top global PV manufacturers were listed as well as a chart of world energy transitions underlining the emergence of renewable energy programs and systems. A summary of solar energy in Japan was provided, along with details of mid and long term solar energy planning, as well as other projects around the world. Canadian investment in PV was compared with other countries and details of past government spending on other energy sources were also presented. It was concluded that Canada was far behind other G-8 countries with reference to grid-connected PV, but that off-grid PV was a real business in Canada. It was also concluded that Japan would represent the first real mainstream grid-connected market

Modeling Single-Phase PV HB-ZVR Inverter Connected to Grid

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Guo, Yougui; Zeng, Ping; Zhu, Jieqiong

2011-01-01

PLECS is used to model the PV H-bridge zero voltage rectifier (HB-ZVR) inverter connected to grid and good results are obtained. First, several common topologies of PV inverters are introduced. Then the unipolar PWM control strategy is described for PV HB-ZVR inverter. Third, PLECS is briefly...... introduced. Fourth, the modeling of PV HB-ZVR inverter is presented with PLECS. Finally, a series of simulations are carried out. The simulation results tell us PLECS is very powerful tool to real power circuits and it is very easy to simulate LCL filter. They have also verified that the unipolar PWM control...... strategy is feasible to control the PV HB-ZVR inverter....

Grid-connected photovoltaic system design for local government ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

Grid-connected photovoltaic system design for local government offices in Nigeria. ... Nigerian Journal of Technology. Journal Home ... It is neat, silent and elegant process of generating electric power in environmentally friendly manner. In this ...

The world PV market 2000: shifting from subsidy to 'fully economic'?

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Maycock, Paul

2000-01-01

This article presents an overview of the world grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) market concentrating on the US, Japan and Germany. The PV markets in the three countries are examined, and PV module shipments, the economics of residential PVs in the markets, and forecasts of the grid-connected market are discussed. Details are given of the German 100,000 roofs PV roof subsidy programme to stimulate the residential and commercial grid-connected market. A summary of the grid-connected PV markets in the three countries, and economic information on German grid-connected PV roofs are tabulated

Development of Flexible Active Power Control Strategies for Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Inverters by Modifying MPPT Algorithms

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sangwongwanich, Ariya; Yang, Yongheng; Blaabjerg, Frede

2017-01-01

As the penetration level of grid-connected PV systems increases, more advanced control functionality is demanded. In order to ensure smooth and friendly grid integration as well as enable more PV installations, the power generated by PV systems needs to be flexible and capable of: 1) limiting...... strategies for grid-connected PV inverters by modifying maximum power point tracking algorithms, where the PV power is regulated by changing the operating point of the PV system. In this way, no extra equipment is needed, being a cost-effective solution. Experiments on a 3-kW grid-connected PV system have...... the maximum feed-in power, 2) ensuring a smooth change rate, and 3) providing a power reserve. Besides, such flexible power control functionalities have to be achieved in a cost-effective way in order to ensure the competitiveness of solar energy. Therefore, this paper explores flexible active power control...

An investigation of the maximum penetration level of a photovoltaic (PV) system into a traditional distribution grid

Science.gov (United States)

Chalise, Santosh

Although solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have remained the fastest growing renewable power generating technology, variability as well as uncertainty in the output of PV plants is a significant issue. This rapid increase in PV grid-connected generation presents not only progress in clean energy but also challenges in integration with traditional electric power grids which were designed for transmission and distribution of power from central stations. Unlike conventional electric generators, PV panels do not have rotating parts and thus have no inertia. This potentially causes a problem when the solar irradiance incident upon a PV plant changes suddenly, for example, when scattered clouds pass quickly overhead. The output power of the PV plant may fluctuate nearly as rapidly as the incident irradiance. These rapid power output fluctuations may then cause voltage fluctuations, frequency fluctuations, and power quality issues. These power quality issues are more severe with increasing PV plant power output. This limits the maximum power output allowed from interconnected PV plants. Voltage regulation of a distribution system, a focus of this research, is a prime limiting factor in PV penetration levels. The IEEE 13-node test feeder, modeled and tested in the MATLAB/Simulink environment, was used as an example distribution feeder to analyze the maximum acceptable penetration of a PV plant. The effect of the PV plant's location was investigated, along with the addition of a VAR compensating device (a D-STATCOM in this case). The results were used to develop simple guidelines for determining an initial estimate of the maximum PV penetration level on a distribution feeder. For example, when no compensating devices are added to the system, a higher level of PV penetration is generally achieved by installing the PV plant close to the substation. The opposite is true when a VAR compensator is installed with the PV plant. In these cases, PV penetration levels over 50% may be

Are small-scale grid-connected photovoltaic systems a cost-effective policy for lowering electricity bills and reducing carbon emissions? A technical, economic, and carbon emission analysis

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

McHenry, Mark P.

2012-01-01

This research discusses findings from technical simulations and economic models of 1 kW p and 3 kW p grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems supplying a rural home electricity load in parallel with the electricity network in Western Australia (WA). The technical simulations are based on electricity billing, consumption monitoring, an energy audit data, combined with 15 min interval load and PV system performance for commercially available technologies and balance of system components, using long-term meteorological input data. The economic modelling uses 2010 market prices for capital costs, operational costs, electricity tariffs, subsidies, and is based on discounted cash flow analyses which generate a final net present value (NPV) for each system against network electricity costs (in Australian dollars, AUD) over a 15 year investment horizon. The results suggest that current market prices generate a negative NPV (a net private loss), even with the current government subsidies, which lead to higher home electricity costs than conventional network electricity use. Additionally, the private costs of carbon emission mitigation (AUD tCO 2 -e −1 ) for the grid-connected PV system simulations and models were around AUD 600-700 tCO 2 -e −1 , a particularly expensive option when compared to existing large-scale renewable energy mitigation activities. - Highlights: ► Subsidised small-scale grid-connected PV systems can increase home electricity costs. ► Subsidies for private PV systems are provided by those who do not receive a benefit. ► Small-scale grid-connected PV systems result in very high costs of mitigation. ► Verifying actual mitigation from grid-connected small-scale systems is problematic. ► Maintain medium/large-scale grid-connected or small-scale off-grid system subsidies.

Hosting Capacity of Solar Photovoltaics in Distribution Grids under Different Pricing Schemes

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Carollo, Riccardo; Chaudhary, Sanjay Kumar; Pillai, Jayakrishnan Radhakrishna

2015-01-01

Most of the solar photovoltaic (SPV) installations are connected to distribution networks. The majority of these systems are represented by single-phase rooftop SPVs connected to residential low voltage (LV) grids. The large SPV shares lead to grid integration issues such as voltage rise....... The results show that with the present TOU tariffs the EV integration in LV networks does not ease the grid bottlenecks for large PV penetration. Under the Net metering and DLMP the EV integration in LV grids tend to increase the PV hosting capacity......., overloading of the network components, voltage phase unbalance etc. A rapid expansion of Electric Vehicles (EVs) technology is estimated, whose connection is also expected to take place in the LV networks. EVs might represent a possible solution to the SPV integration issues as they can be used as fast...

Controllable Photovoltaic Grid Power Injection with an Assistance of Energy Storage System

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Morvaj, Boran; Dragicevic, Tomislav; Krajcar, Slavko

2013-01-01

This paper focuses on modeling and simulation of controllable Photovoltaic Battery Power System (PV BPS) interconnected to the electrical utility. After elaboration of modeling principles for different components appearing in the system, simulations of two types of PV plants connected to one branch...... of distribution network have been carried out. First one is connected through a three-phase inverter with battery string connected to a DC-link and the second string is connected to the grid in single phase configuration. In this proposed configuration unpredictable variations of irradiation and temperature...

Efficient Control of Energy Storage for Increasing the PV Hosting Capacity of LV Grids

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Hashemi Toghroljerdi, Seyedmostafa; Østergaard, Jacob

2016-01-01

grid is usually limited by overvoltage, and the efficient control of distributed electrical energy storage systems (EESSs) can considerably increase this capacity. In this paper, a new control approach based on the voltage sensitivity analysis is proposed to prevent overvoltage and increase the PV......Photovoltaic (PV) systems are among the renewable sources that electrical energy systems are adopting with increasing frequency. The majority of already-installed PV systems are decentralized units that are usually connected to lowvoltage (LV) distribution grids. The PV hosting capacity of an LV...... hosting capacity of LV grids by determining dynamic set points for EESS management. The method has the effectiveness of central control methods and can effectively decrease the energy storage required for overvoltage prevention, yet it eliminates the need for a broadband and fast communication. The net...

Development and Testing of a Prototype Grid-Tied Photovoltaic Power System

Science.gov (United States)

Eichenberg, Dennis J.

2009-01-01

The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has developed and tested a prototype 2 kW DC grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) power system at the Center. The PV system has generated in excess of 6700 kWh since operation commenced in July 2006. The PV system is providing power to the GRC grid for use by all. Operation of the prototype PV system has been completely trouble free. A grid-tied PV power system is connected directly to the utility distribution grid. Facility power can be obtained from the utility system as normal. The PV system is synchronized with the utility system to provide power for the facility, and excess power is provided to the utility. The project transfers space technology to terrestrial use via nontraditional partners. GRC personnel glean valuable experience with PV power systems that are directly applicable to various space power systems, and provide valuable space program test data. PV power systems help to reduce harmful emissions and reduce the Nation s dependence on fossil fuels. Power generated by the PV system reduces the GRC utility demand, and the surplus power aids the community. Present global energy concerns reinforce the need for the development of alternative energy systems. Modern PV panels are readily available, reliable, efficient, and economical with a life expectancy of at least 25 years. Modern electronics has been the enabling technology behind grid-tied power systems, making them safe, reliable, efficient, and economical with a life expectancy of at least 25 years. Based upon the success of the prototype PV system, additional PV power system expansion at GRC is under consideration. The prototype grid-tied PV power system was successfully designed and developed which served to validate the basic principles described, and the theoretical work that was performed. The report concludes that grid-tied photovoltaic power systems are reliable, maintenance free, long life power systems, and are of significant value to NASA and the community.

Case study of a grid connected with a battery photovoltaic system: V-trough concentration vs. single-axis tracking

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tina, G.M.; Scandura, P.F.

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► PV systems with sun tracking and concentrators (CPVS) can reduce the cost of energy per kWh produced. ► The V-trough low-concentration system solution is compatible with flat PV module technologies. ► Optical, thermal and electrical models are needed to forecast real power production. ► The description of a PV grid connected system with batteries, a one-axis tracker and CPV photovoltaic system is presented. ► Outdoor measurements of the generating system are provided and discussed. - Abstract: Photovoltaic systems (PVSs) combined with either some form of storage, such as a battery energy storage system (BESS), or direct load control, can play a crucial role in achieving a more economical operation of the electric utility system while enhancing its reliability with additional energy sources. At the same time, it is also important to use cost-effective PV solutions. In this context, a low-concentration PVS (CPVS) is analysed as a feasible alternative. This paper, present a case study of a complex PVS, composed of two PVSs, a storage system (BEES) and an inverter that allows the system to operate in both the island and grid-connected modes. The first PVS, is a 2.76-kWp single-axis tracking system (azimuth) with modules facing south and tilted 30°, while the second PVS is a dual-axis tracking system, rated 860 Wp, consisting of a concentrator at the flat mirrors (DoubleSun® Four). The system is installed on the roof of the main building of the “ITIS Marconi” school (Italy). A detailed description of the system is provided, and preliminary operating data are presented and discussed. The efficiencies of the PV systems are calculated and measured to evaluate the cost effectiveness of a low-concentration system.

Grid-tied markets for photovoltaics - a new source emerges

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rever, B.

2001-01-01

Some recent developments in the use of photovoltaics for energy independence and their integration into buildings are discussed, together with the aims of the International Energy Agency. The article discusses (a) development of the PV market; (b) drivers for the growth in PV markets; (c) Kyoto; (d) energy dependence and security issues; (e) increasing costs of conventional sources; (f) ageing or inadequate transmission and distribution infrastructure; (g) IEA goals; (h) building-integrated photovoltaics; (eye) effect of market drivers and (j) likely market developments. Diagrams show (a) how the cost per Watt has fallen, 1976 to 2000; (b) PV application segments and issues; (c) market shipments by global regional segment; (d) market growth expectations 1999 to 2005; (e) effect of the Japanese programme on the PV market, 1994 to 2000; (f) effect of the German programme on the PV market, 1995 to 2000 and (g) the US grid-connected market projection, 2001 to 2012. Five conclusions were drawn from the current market status, and trends identified

Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System with Active Power Filtering Functionality

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Joaquín Vaquero

2018-01-01

Full Text Available Solar panels are an attractive and growing source of renewable energy in commercial and residential applications. Its use connected to the grid by means of a power converter results in a grid-connected photovoltaic system. In order to optimize this system, it is interesting to integrate several functionalities into the power converter, such as active power filtering and power factor correction. Nonlinear loads connected to the grid generate current harmonics, which deteriorates the mains power quality. Active power filters can compensate these current harmonics. A photovoltaic system with added harmonic compensation and power factor correction capabilities is proposed in this paper. A sliding mode controller is employed to control the power converter, implemented on the CompactRIO digital platform from National Instruments Corporation, allowing user friendly operation and easy tuning. The power system consists of two stages, a DC/DC boost converter and a single-phase inverter, and it is able to inject active power into the grid while compensating the current harmonics generated by nonlinear loads at the point of common coupling. The operation, design, simulation, and experimental results for the proposed system are discussed.

Look-Ahead Energy Management of a Grid-Connected Residential PV System with Energy Storage under Time-Based Rate Programs

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Kyeon Hur

2012-04-01

Full Text Available This paper presents look-ahead energy management system for a grid-connected residential photovoltaic (PV system with battery under critical peak pricing for electricity, enabling effective and proactive participation of consumers in the Smart Grid’s demand response. In the proposed system, the PV is the primary energy source with the battery for storing (or retrieving excessive (or stored energy to pursue the lowest possible electricity bill but it is grid-tied to secure electric power delivery. Premise energy management scheme with an accurate yet practical load forecasting capability based on a Kalman filter is designed to increase the predictability in controlling the power flows among these power system components and the controllable electric appliances in the premise. The case studies with various operating scenarios demonstrate the validity of the proposed system and significant cost savings through operating the energy management scheme.

GRS - Guarantee of results for grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems; GRS - Garantierte Resultate von Solarstromanlagen

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Meier, Ch.; Frei, R.

2001-07-01

This final report for the Swiss Federal Office of Energy describes the development of a performance guarantee for the power delivered by grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power plant. This is important for investors, who need to be able to calculate the price of the energy produced by the PV plant. The report examines the results of various case studies and experience gained with GRS contracts developed in different countries including Switzerland, the Netherlands, France and Germany. The problems encountered, which provided feedback for the further development of the contract presented in the report, are discussed. The model contract, which proposes a framework which provides many possible variations and adaptations, is presented in detail. Various problem areas such as guaranteed energy yield, meteorological references, correction methods, failure detection, dispute settlement and many other points are covered.

Sliding-Mode Controller for Maximum Power Point Tracking in Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Paula Andrea Ortiz Valencia

2015-11-01

Full Text Available The maximum power point tracking (MPPT of photovoltaic systems must be as fast and accurate as possible to increase the power production, which eventually increases the PV system profitability. This paper proposes and mathematically analyses a sliding-mode controller to provide a fast and accurate maximum power point tracking in grid-connected photovoltaic systems using a single control stage. This approach avoids the circular dependency in the design of classical cascade controllers used to optimize the photovoltaic system operation, and at the same time, it reduces the number of controllers and avoids the use of linearized models to provide global stability in all the operation range. Such a compact solution also reduces the system cost and implementation complexity. To ensure the stability of the proposed solution, detailed mathematical analyses are performed to demonstrate the fulfillment of the transversality, reachability and equivalent control conditions. Finally, the performance of the proposed solution is validated using detailed simulations, executed in the power electronics simulator PSIM, accounting for both environmental and load perturbations.

Two-loop controller for maximizing performance of a grid-connected photovoltaic - fuel cell hybrid power plant

Science.gov (United States)

Ro, Kyoungsoo

The study started with the requirement that a photovoltaic (PV) power source should be integrated with other supplementary power sources whether it operates in a stand-alone or grid-connected mode. First, fuel cells for a backup of varying PV power were compared in detail with batteries and were found to have more operational benefits. Next, maximizing performance of a grid-connected PV-fuel cell hybrid system by use of a two-loop controller was discussed. One loop is a neural network controller for maximum power point tracking, which extracts maximum available solar power from PV arrays under varying conditions of insolation, temperature, and system load. A real/reactive power controller (RRPC) is the other loop. The RRPC meets the system's requirement for real and reactive powers by controlling incoming fuel to fuel cell stacks as well as switching control signals to a power conditioning subsystem. The RRPC is able to achieve more versatile control of real/reactive powers than the conventional power sources since the hybrid power plant does not contain any rotating mass. Results of time-domain simulations prove not only effectiveness of the proposed computer models of the two-loop controller, but also their applicability for use in transient stability analysis of the hybrid power plant. Finally, environmental evaluation of the proposed hybrid plant was made in terms of plant's land requirement and lifetime COsb2 emissions, and then compared with that of the conventional fossil-fuel power generating forms.

Inrush Transient Current Analysis and Suppression of Photovoltaic Grid-Connected Inverters During Voltage Sag

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Li, Zhongyu; Zhao, Rende; Xin, Zhen

2016-01-01

The Inrush Transient Current (ITC) in the output of the photovoltaic grid-connected inverters is usually generated when grid voltage sag occurs, which can trigger the protection of the grid-connected inverters, and even destroy the semiconductor switches. Then, the grid-connected inverters...

Research on simulated devices for Solar photovoltaic grid-connected generation system

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

quan-zhu Zhang

2017-01-01

Full Text Available On the standpoint of energy conservation and emission reduction, one device simulated photovoltaic grid-connected generation system based on SPWM was designed in the paper. And DC/AC inverter could transduce efficiently direct current to alternating current. The MCU(Micro-Control-Unit, in this system could achieve the control method for maximum-power-point and tracking for frequency and phase. Moreover, the MCU could implement PWM (Plus-Width Modulating through programming. The system showed clearly the whole photovoltaic grid-connected generation system using simulated methods and ways.

Control strategy based on SPWM switching patterns for grid connected photovoltaic inverter

Science.gov (United States)

Hassaine, L.; Mraoui, A.

2017-02-01

Generally, for lower installation of photovoltaic systems connected to the grid, pulse width modulation (PWM) is a widely used technique for controlling the voltage source inverters injects currents into the grid. The current injected must be sinusoidal with reduced harmonic distortion. In this paper, a digital implementation of a control strategy based on PWM switching patterns for an inverter for photovoltaic system connected to the grid is presented. This strategy synchronize a sinusoidal inverter output current with a grid voltage The digital implementation of the proposed PWM switching pattern when is compared with the conventional one exhibit the advantage: Simplicity, reduction of the memory requirements and power calculation for the control

Grid-connected photovoltaic systems. Projecting, construction, sales - hints for expert technicians. 3. new rev. ed.; Netzgekoppelte Photovoltaikanlangen. Planung, Errichtung und Verkauf fuer den Handwerksprofi

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sandner, Thomas

2013-02-01

Photovoltaic conversion is one of the most efficient and also one of the fastest-growing sustainable technologies. The book starts by presenting the fundamentals of photovoltaic conversion and solar radiation and then proceeds to describe the components of grid-connected PV systems. Other issues of this book consider: On-site visit and selection of a suitable generator array; The Renewable Energy Law and the development of photovoltaic conversion in Germany; Business topics such as costs and prices, marketing, quality assurance; Internal use of solar power.

Integration of Hybrid PV/Wind Generation System Using Fuzzy MPPT in Grid Connected System for Remote Area

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Soedibyo

2016-01-01

Full Text Available Photovoltaic and wind are renewable energy resources that widely used and grow rapidly in fulfilling electricity demand. Powers from both technologies depend on sunlight intensity and wind speed. For small scale power generation, DC voltage from both technologies is low and requires step-up converter to raise DC voltage ratio before converted into AC voltage. To optimize this system, step-up converter must have high ratio and efficiency to a distance of wide voltage input. This paper proposed an operation simulation and arrangement of DC-DC converter along with DC-AC from hybrid source PV-Wind which integrated to grid utilities without using storage device. High Gain Integrated Cascade Boost (HGICB is DC-DC converter that has quadratic voltage ratio and used in this research. Then DC link connected to Voltage Source Inverter (VSI which interconnected with utility grid and controlled by current control method. The total installed capacity of hybrid source is 4.4 kW. Wind turbine uses PMSG along with full bridge rectifier. To maximize and stabilize the generated power, MPPT fuzzy is used. Result from the simulation shows that converter capable to maintain maximum power whether from PV and wind turbine which canalized to utility grid in various irradiation condition, wind speed, and grid load alteration.

Less CO2 by means of photovoltaic energy (PV)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Alsema, E.A.; Van Brummelen, M.

1992-11-01

Regarding the title subject special attention is paid to the technical limitations of a fast introduction of the use of photovoltaic (PV) energy conversion. After a brief introduction on PV systems and the operation of a solar cell in chapter two, a state of the art is given of PV technology and possible price developments for PV modules and Balance-Of-System (BOS) components up to the year 2000 in chapters three and four. In chapter five the potential of installing grid-connected PV systems in the Netherlands is determined, taking into account the options of using existing buildings (PV systems on the roof), unexplored ground, in the verge of highways or railroads, industrial areas and airports. In chapter six non-economical bottlenecks for a large-scale introduction of grid-connected PV systems are discussed: the industrial production capacity for PV modules and other components, the fitting-in into the public electricity supply, and institutional aspects of installing PV systems on roofs. In chapter seven it is determined how much costs can be saved and CO 2 emission can be reduced when PV capacity is fitted-in into the Dutch electric power supply. The calculations are based on the Global Shift scenario. In chapter eight two scenarios (an optimistic scenario and a more realistic scenario) for the introduction of PV systems are outlined. For both scenarios the financial consequences and the contribution to the electric power supply are indicated. In chapter nine the net energy yield, being the result of the previously discussed introduction scenarios, is calculated, followed by a calculation of the avoided CO 2 emission, as well as the costs to avoid such emission. 25 figs., 15 tabs., 116 refs., 1 annex

Optimal stochastic management of renewable MG (micro-grids) considering electro-thermal model of PV (photovoltaic)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Najibi, Fatemeh; Niknam, Taher; Kavousi-Fard, Abdollah

2016-01-01

This paper aims to report the results of the research conducted to one thermal and electrical model for photovoltaic. Moreover, one probabilistic framework is introduced for considering all uncertainties in the optimal energy management of Micro-Grid problem. It should be noted that one typical Micro-Grid is being studied as a case, including different renewable energy sources, such as Photovoltaic, Micro Turbine, Wind Turbine, and one battery as a storage device for storing energy. The uncertainties of market price variation, photovoltaic and wind turbine output power change and load demand error are covered by the suggested probabilistic framework. The Micro-Grid problem is of nonlinear nature because of the stochastic behavior of the renewable energy sources such as Photovoltaic and Wind Turbine units, and hence there is need for a powerful tool to solve the problem. Therefore, in addition to the simulated thermal model and suggested probabilistic framework, a new algorithm is also introduced. The Backtracking Search Optimization Algorithm is described as a useful method to optimize the MG (micro-grids) problem. This algorithm has the benefit of escaping from the local optima while converging fast, too. The proposed algorithm is also tested on the typical Micro-Grid. - Highlights: • Proposing an electro-thermal model for PV. • Proposing a new stochastic formulation for optimal operation of renewable MGs. • Introduction of a new optimization method based on BSO to explore the problem search space.

An algorithm for reduction of extracted power from photovoltaic strings in grid-tied photovoltaic power plants during voltage sags

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Tafti, Hossein Dehghani; Maswood, Ali Iftekhar; Pou, Josep

2016-01-01

strings should be reduced during voltage sags. In this paper, an algorithm is proposed for determining the reference voltage of the PV string which results in a reduction of the output power to a certain amount. The proposed algorithm calculates the reference voltage for the dc/dc converter controller......, based on the characteristics of the power-voltage curve of the PV string and therefore, no modification is required in the the controller of the dc/dc converter. Simulation results on a 50-kW PV string verified the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in reducing the power from PV strings under......Due to the high penetration of the installed distributed generation units in the power system, the injection of reactive power is required for the medium-scale and large-scale grid-connected photovoltaic power plants (PVPPs). Because of the current limitation of the grid-connected inverter...

A case study of utility PV economics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wenger, H.; Hoff, T.; Osborn, D.E.

1997-01-01

This paper presents selected results from a detailed study of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) applications within the service area of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. The intent is to better understand the economics and markets for grid-connected PV systems in a utility setting. Research results include: Benefits calculations for utility-owned PV systems at transmission and distribution voltages; How the QuickScreen software package can help utilities investigate the viability of distributed PV; Energy production and capacity credit estimates for fixed and tracking PV systems; Economics and rate impacts of net metering residential PV systems; Market potential estimates for residential rooftop PV systems; and Viability and timing of grid-connected PV commercialization paths

Performance of a 34 kWp grid-connected PV system in Indonesia - A comparison of tropical and European PV systems

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Veldhuis, A.J.; Reinders, Angelina H.M.E.

2014-01-01

We analysed a monitored grid-connected PV system of 34 kWp in Indonesia to investigate the performance of PV systems in tropical climates. The PV system has been installed in Jayapura, the capital of the Province of Papua, Indonesia, by the beginning of 2012. Due to the aged gensets and frequent

Techno-economic feasibility analysis of 1 MW photovoltaic grid connected system in Oman

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Hussein A. Kazem

2017-09-01

Full Text Available Solar photovoltaic panels (PV face many challenges in the Sultanate of Oman. These challenges include costs, policy and technical development. With the growing needs of the Sultanate in the energy sector, Grid Connected PV (GCPV system could help in reducing peak load demand and offer an alternative energy source. This study aims to numerically discover the optimal configuration for a 1 MW GCPV plant in Adam city. Real time data, on hour-by-hour basis, from the location are used to ensure highest accuracy. The simulation not only is set for technical evaluation but economic as well. Investment in GCPV technology needs a bigger push both by research, development and policy. The assessment results show that the PV technology investment is very promising in this site whereas the annual yield factor of the system is 1875.1 kW h/kW p. Meanwhile, the capacity factor of the proposed system is 21.7%. The cost of energy found for the plant is around 0.2258 USD/kW h which is economically feasible and shows great promise.

The performance of Dutch photovoltaic inverters in areas with low grid voltage. A preliminary study

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Van Twisk, J.; Van der Borg, N.J.C.M.; Groeman, J.F.

2000-08-01

An important component of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems is the inverter. The inverter must be suitable for the expected characteristics of the input of the photovoltaic panels and for the expected characteristics of the output of the electricity network. The characteristics of the electric grid in potential markets for Dutch inverter manufacturers can differ from the characteristics of Dutch electric grids. A preliminary study has been carried out to determine the characteristics of relevant power distribution systems and the expected effects of those networks on PV-inverters. It is concluded that the following characteristics need further study: voltage level (nominal voltage and long-lasting deviations of that level); transient overvoltages, harmonic components in the voltage, and direct current component. 5 refs

The implantation of a grid-connected PV system at CEPEL

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Galdino, Marco Antonio, E-mail: marcoag@cepel.br

2003-07-01

This technical report presents the experience undertaken by CEPEL for implantation of a grid connected PV system at its headquarters, located in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. This technology, although considered far from Brazilian reach, is expected to grow significantly in the near future. The paper describes briefly several aspects concerning the PV system and the DAS (data acquisition system) implemented in order to allow the continuous evaluation of its performance and operational conditions. The system was installed in December, 2002, and the data are still preliminary. (author)

A Single-Phase Transformerless Inverter With Charge Pump Circuit Concept for Grid-Tied PV Applications

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Ardashir, Jaber Fallah; Sabahi, Mehran; Hosseini, Seyed Hossein

2017-01-01

This paper proposes a new single-phase transformerless photovoltaic (PV) inverter for grid-tied PV systems. The topology is derived from the concept of a charge pump circuit in order to eliminate the leakage current. It is composed of four power switches, two diodes, two capacitors, and an LCL...... resonant control strategy is used to control the injected current. The main benefits of the proposed inverter are: the neutral of the grid is directly connected to the negative terminal of the PV panel, so the leakage current is eliminated; its compact size; low cost; the used dc voltage of the proposed...... are presented. Experimental results are presented to confirm both the theoretical analysis and the concept of the proposed inverter. The obtained results clearly validate the performance of the proposed inverter and its practical application in grid-tied PV systems....

Large scale rooftop photovoltaics grid connected system at Charoenphol-Rama I green building

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ketjoy, N.; Rakwichian, W. [School of Renewable Energy Technology (SERT) (Thailand); Wongchupan, V. [Panya Consultants Co., Ltd (Thailand); Sankarat, T. [Tesco Lotus, Ek-Chai Distribution System Co., Ltd. (Thailand)

2004-07-01

This paper presents a technical feasibility study project for the large scale rooftop photovoltaics (PV) grid connected system at Charoenphol-Rama I green building super store of TESCO LOTUS (TL) in Thailand. The objective of this project is (i) to study the technical feasibility of installation 350 kWp PV systems on the top of the roof in this site (ii) and to determine the energy produce from this system. The technical factors are examined using a computerized PVS 2000 simulation and assessment tool. This super store building located in Bangkok, with latitude 14 N, longitude 100 E and the building direction is 16 from North direction. The building roof area is 14,000 m2; with 3 degree face East and 3 degree face West pitch. Average daily solar energy in this area is approximately 5.0 kWh. The study team for this project consists of educational institution as School of Renewable Energy Technology (SERT) and private institution as Panya Consultants (PC). TL is the project owner, PC is responsible for project management, and SERT is a third party and responsible for PV system study, conceptual design and all technical process. In this feasibility studies SERT will identify the most attractive scenarios of photovoltaic cell technology (mono, poly-crystalline or thin film amorphous), system design concepts for owners (TL) and determine possibility of the energy yield of the system from different module orientation and tilt angle. The result of this study is a guide to help TL to make decision to select proper rooftop PV system option for this store with proper technology view. The economic view will not be considered in this study. (orig.)

MODELING SIMULATION AND PERFORMANCE STUDY OF GRIDCONNECTED PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY SYSTEM

OpenAIRE

Nagendra K; Karthik J; Keerthi Rao C; Kumar Raja Pemmadi

2017-01-01

This paper presents Modeling Simulation of grid connected Photovoltaic Energy System and performance study using MATLAB/Simulink. The Photovoltaic energy system is considered in three main parts PV Model, Power conditioning System and Grid interface. The Photovoltaic Model is inter-connected with grid through full scale power electronic devices. The simulation is conducted on the PV energy system at normal temperature and at constant load by using MATLAB.

UPVG efforts to commercialize photovoltaics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Serfass, J.A.; Wills, B.N.

1995-01-01

The Utility PhotoVoltaic Group (UPVG) was formed in October of 1992 with a mission to accelerate the use of cost-effective small-scale and emerging grid-connected applications of photovoltaics for the benefit of electric utilities and their customers. The UPVG is now implementing a program to install up to 50 megawatts of photovoltaics in small-scale and grid-connected applications. This program, called TEAM-UP, is a partnership of the US electric utility industry and the US Department of Energy to help develop utility PV markets. TEAM-UP is a utility-directed program to significantly increase utility PV experience by promoting installations of utility PV systems. Two primary program areas are proposed for TEAM-UP: (1) Small-Scale Applications (SSA)--an initiative to aggregate utility purchases of small-scale, grid-independent applications; and (2) Grid-Connected Applications (GCA)--an initiative to identify and competitively award cost-sharing contracts for grid-connected PV systems with high market growth potential, or collective purchase programs involving multiple buyers. This paper describes these programs and outlines the schedule, the procurement status, and the results of the TEAM-UP process

Power Hardware-in-the-Loop Evaluation of PV Inverter Grid Support on Hawaiian Electric Feeders: Preprint

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nelson, Austin; Prabakar, Kumaraguru; Nagarajan, Adarsh; Nepal, Shaili; Hoke, Anderson; Asano, Marc; Ueda, Reid; Ifuku, Earle

2017-05-08

As more grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) inverters become compliant with evolving interconnections requirements, there is increased interest from utilities in understanding how to best deploy advanced grid-support functions (GSF) in the field. One efficient and cost-effective method to examine such deployment options is to leverage power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) testing methods. Two Hawaiian Electric feeder models were converted to real-time models in the OPAL-RT real-time digital testing platform, and integrated with models of GSF capable PV inverters that were modeled from characterization test data. The integrated model was subsequently used in PHIL testing to evaluate the effects of different fixed power factor and volt-watt control settings on voltage regulation of the selected feeders. The results of this study were provided as inputs for field deployment and technical interconnection requirements for grid-connected PV inverters on the Hawaiian Islands.

PV GRID Advisory Paper. Consultation version: key recommendations

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Barth, Bianca; Concas, Giorgia; Cossent, Rafael; Franz, Oliver; Frias, Pablo; Hermes, Roland; Lama, Riccardo; Loew, Holger; Mateo, Carlos; Rekinger, Manoel; Sonvilla, Paolo Michele; Vandenbergh, Michel

2014-01-15

PV GRID is a transnational collaborative effort under the umbrella of the Intelligent Energy Europe programme. The main project goal is to enhance photovoltaic (PV) hosting capacity in distribution grids while overcoming regulatory and normative barriers hampering the application of available technical solutions. The European PV GRID advisory paper aims at providing an overview of the issues and barriers that need to be addressed in order to enhance the distribution grid hosting capacity for PV and other distributed generation (DG).To this purpose, barriers are classified as either cross-cutting challenges or specific barriers, depending on whether they have an overarching, system-wide character or rather focus on one single issue such as curtailment, self-consumption or storage. Finally, a set of preliminary recommendations on how to overcome these issues is presented, allowing for the implementation of the identified technical solutions.

A Direct Maximum Power Point Tracking Method for Single-Phase Grid Connected PV Inverters

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

EL Aamri, Faicel; Maker, Hattab; Sera, Dezso

2018-01-01

in dynamic conditions, especially in low irradiance when the measurement of signals becomes more sensitive to noise. The proposed MPPT is designed for single-phase single-stage grid-connected PV inverters, and is based on estimating the instantaneous PV power and voltage ripples, using second...

Suggested Grid Code Modifications to Ensure Wide-Scale Adoption of Photovoltaic Energy in Distributed Power Generation Systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Yang, Yongheng; Enjeti, Prasad; Blaabjerg, Frede

2013-01-01

Current grid standards seem to largely require low power (e.g. several kilowatts) single-phase photovoltaic (PV) systems to operate at unity power factor with maximum power point tracking, and disconnect from the grid under grid faults. However, in case of a wide-scale penetration of single......-phase PV systems in the distributed grid, the disconnection under grid faults can contribute to: a) voltage flickers, b) power outages, and c) system instability. In this paper, grid code modifications are explored for wide-scale adoption of PV systems in the distribution grid. More recently, Italy...... and Japan, have undertaken a major review of standards for PV power conversion systems connected to low voltage networks. In view of this, the importance of low voltage ride-through for single-phase PV power systems under grid faults along with reactive power injection is studied in this paper. Three...

Analytical Assessment of the Relationship between 100MWp Large-scale Grid-connected Photovoltaic Plant Performance and Meteorological Parameters

Science.gov (United States)

Sheng, Jie; Zhu, Qiaoming; Cao, Shijie; You, Yang

2017-05-01

This paper helps in study of the relationship between the photovoltaic power generation of large scale “fishing and PV complementary” grid-tied photovoltaic system and meteorological parameters, with multi-time scale power data from the photovoltaic power station and meteorological data over the same period of a whole year. The result indicates that, the PV power generation has the most significant correlation with global solar irradiation, followed by diurnal temperature range, sunshine hours, daily maximum temperature and daily average temperature. In different months, the maximum monthly average power generation appears in August, which related to the more global solar irradiation and longer sunshine hours in this month. However, the maximum daily average power generation appears in October, this is due to the drop in temperature brings about the improvement of the efficiency of PV panels. Through the contrast of monthly average performance ratio (PR) and monthly average temperature, it is shown that, the larger values of monthly average PR appears in April and October, while it is smaller in summer with higher temperature. The results concluded that temperature has a great influence on the performance ratio of large scale grid-tied PV power system, and it is important to adopt effective measures to decrease the temperature of PV plant properly.

The active control strategy on the output power for photovoltaic-storage systems based on extended PQ-QV-PV Node

Science.gov (United States)

Xu, Chen; Zhou, Bao-Rong; Zhai, Jian-Wei; Zhang, Yong-Jun; Yi, Ying-Qi

2017-05-01

In order to solve the problem of voltage exceeding specified limits and improve the penetration of photovoltaic in distribution network, we can make full use of the active power regulation ability of energy storage(ES) and the reactive power regulation ability of grid-connected photovoltaic inverter to provide support of active power and reactive power for distribution network. A strategy of actively controlling the output power for photovoltaic-storage system based on extended PQ-QV-PV node by analyzing the voltage regulating mechanism of point of commom coupling(PCC) of photovoltaic with energy storage(PVES) by controlling photovoltaic inverter and energy storage. The strategy set a small wave range of voltage to every photovoltaic by making the type of PCC convert among PQ, PV and QV. The simulation results indicate that the active control method can provide a better solution to the problem of voltage exceeding specified limits when photovoltaic is connectted to electric distribution network.

Development and Testing of the Glenn Research Center Visitor's Center Grid-Tied Photovoltaic Power System

Science.gov (United States)

Eichenberg, Dennis J.

2009-01-01

The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has developed, installed, and tested a 12 kW DC grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) power system at the GRC Visitor s Center. This system utilizes a unique ballast type roof mount for installing the photovoltaic panels on the roof of the Visitor s Center with no alterations or penetrations to the roof. The PV system has generated in excess of 15000 kWh since operation commenced in August 2008. The PV system is providing power to the GRC grid for use by all. Operation of the GRC Visitor s Center PV system has been completely trouble free. A grid-tied PV power system is connected directly to the utility distribution grid. Facility power can be obtained from the utility system as normal. The PV system is synchronized with the utility system to provide power for the facility, and excess power is provided to the utility. The project transfers space technology to terrestrial use via nontraditional partners. GRC personnel glean valuable experience with PV power systems that are directly applicable to various space power systems, and provides valuable space program test data. PV power systems help to reduce harmful emissions and reduce the Nation s dependence on fossil fuels. Power generated by the PV system reduces the GRC utility demand, and the surplus power aids the community. Present global energy concerns reinforce the need for the development of alternative energy systems. Modern PV panels are readily available, reliable, efficient, and economical with a life expectancy of at least 25 years. Modern electronics has been the enabling technology behind grid-tied power systems, making them safe, reliable, efficient, and economical with a life expectancy of at least 25 years. Based upon the success of the GRC Visitor s Center PV system, additional PV power system expansion at GRC is under consideration. The GRC Visitor s Center grid-tied PV power system was successfully designed and developed which served to validate the basic principles

A Fuzzy-Based PI Controller for Power Management of a Grid-Connected PV-SOFC Hybrid System

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Shivashankar Sukumar

2017-10-01

Full Text Available Solar power generation is intermittent in nature. It is nearly impossible for a photovoltaic (PV system to supply power continuously and consistently to a varying load. Operating a controllable source like a fuel cell in parallel with PV can be a solution to supply power to variable loads. In order to coordinate the power supply from fuel cells and PVs, a power management system needs to be designed for the microgrid system. This paper presents a power management system for a grid-connected PV and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC, considering variation in the load and solar radiation. The objective of the proposed system is to minimize the power drawn from the grid and operate the SOFC within a specific power range. Since the PV is operated at the maximum power point, the power management involves the control of SOFC active power where a proportional and integral (PI controller is used. The control parameters of the PI controller Kp (proportional constant and Ti (integral time constant are determined by the genetic algorithm (GA and simplex method. In addition, a fuzzy logic controller is also developed to generate appropriate control parameters for the PI controller. The performance of the controllers is evaluated by minimizing the integral of time multiplied by absolute error (ITAE criterion. Simulation results showed that the fuzzy-based PI controller outperforms the PI controller tuned by the GA and simplex method in managing the power from the hybrid source effectively under variations of load and solar radiation.

Comparison of measured and predicted long term performance of grid a connected photovoltaic system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mondol, Jayanta Deb; Yohanis, Yigzaw G.; Norton, Brian

2007-01-01

Predicted performance of a grid connected photovoltaic (PV) system using TRNSYS was compared with measured data. A site specific global-diffuse correlation model was developed and used to calculate the beam and diffuse components of global horizontal insolation. A PV module temperature equation and a correlation relating input and output power of an inverter were developed using measured data and used in TRNSYS to perform PV array and inverter outputs simulation. Different combinations of the tilted surface radiation model, global-diffuse correlation model and PV module temperature equation were used in the simulations. Statistical error analysis was performed to compare the results for each combination. The simulation accuracy was improved by using the new global-diffuse correlation and module temperature equation in the TRNSYS simulation. For an isotropic sky tilted surface radiation model, the average monthly difference between measured and predicted PV output before and after modification of the TRNSYS component were 10.2% and 3.3%, respectively, and, for an anisotropic sky model, 15.4% and 10.7%, respectively. For inverter output, the corresponding errors were 10.4% and 3.3% and 15.8% and 8.6%, respectively. Measured PV efficiency, overall system efficiency, inverter efficiency and performance ratio of the system were compared with the predicted results. The predicted PV performance parameters agreed more closely with the measured parameters in summer than in winter. The difference between predicted performances using an isotropic and an anisotropic sky tilted surface models is between 1% and 2%

Design, testing, and economics of a 430 W sub p photovoltaic concentrator array for non grid-connected applications

Science.gov (United States)

Maish, A. B.; Rios, M., Jr.; Togami, H.

A stand-alone 430 W/sub p/ photovoltaic (PV) concentrating system for low power, non grid-connected applications has been designed, fabricated, and tested at Sandia National Laboratories. The array consists of four passively cooled Fresnel lens concentrating modules on a newly developed polar axis tracking structure. Two axis tracking is provided using a self powered clock drive unit mounted on a single post foundation. Test results of tracking accuracy, array output power, parasitic power, performance in winds and array reliability are discussed. using a range of estimated production costs for small production volumes, the life-cycle energy costs have been calculated and compared to the equivalent energy costs of a 3 kW diesel electric generator set and of an equivalent flat panel PV system.

The internal rate of return of photovoltaic grid-connected systems. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Talavera, D.L.; Nofuentes, G.; Aguilera, J.

2010-01-01

At present, photovoltaic grid-connected systems (PVGCS) are experiencing a formidable market growth. This is mainly due to a continuous downward trend in PV cost together with some government support programmes launched by many developed countries. However, government bodies and prospective owners/investors are concerned with how changes in existing economic factors - financial incentives and main economic parameters of the PVGCS - that configure a given scenario may affect the profitability of the investment in these systems. Consequently, not only is a mere estimate of the economic profitability in a specific moment required, but also how this profitability may vary according to changes in the existing scenario. In order to enlighten decision-makers and prospective owners/investors of PVGCS, a sensitivity analysis of the internal rate of return (IRR) to some economic factors has been carried out. Three different scenarios have been assumed to represent the three top geographical markets for PV: the Euro area, the USA and Japan. The results obtained in this analysis provide clear evidence that annual loan interest, normalised initial investment subsidy, normalised annual PV electricity yield, PV electricity unitary price and normalised initial investment are ordered from the lowest to the highest impact on the IRR. A short and broad analysis concerning the taxation impact is also provided. (author)

High Quality Model Predictive Control for Single Phase Grid Connected Photovoltaic Inverters

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Zangeneh Bighash, Esmaeil; Sadeghzadeh, Seyed Mohammad; Ebrahimzadeh, Esmaeil

2018-01-01

Single phase grid-connected inverters with LCL filter are widely used to connect the photovoltaic systems to the utility grid. Among the presented control schemes, predictive control methods are faster and more accurate but are more complex to implement. Recently, the model-predictive control...... algorithm for single-phase inverter has been presented, where the algorithm implementation is straightforward. In the proposed approach, all switching states are tested in each switching period to achieve the control objectives. However, since the number of the switching states in single-phase inverter...... is low, the inverter output current has a high total harmonic distortions. In order to reduce the total harmonic distortions of the injected current, this paper presents a high-quality model-predictive control for one of the newest structure of the grid connected photovoltaic inverter, i.e., HERIC...

Design for Reliability of Power Electronics for Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Yang, Yongheng; Sangwongwanich, Ariya; Blaabjerg, Frede

2016-01-01

Power electronics is the enabling technology for optimizing energy harvesting from renewable systems like Photovoltaic (PV) and wind power systems, and also for interfacing grid-friendly energy systems. Advancements in the power semiconductor technology (e.g., wide band-gap devices) have pushed...... the conversion efficiency of power electronics to above 98%, where however te reliability of power electronics is becoming of high concern. Therefore, it is important to design for reliable power electronic systems to lower the risks of many failures during operation; otherwise will increase the cost...... for maintenance and reputation, thus affecting the cost of PV energy. Today's PV power conversion applications require the power electronic systems with low failure rates during a service life of 20 years or even more. To achieve so, it is vital to know the main life-limiting factors of power electronic systems...

Concentrated solar power plants impact on PV penetration level and grid flexibility under Egyptian climate

Science.gov (United States)

Moukhtar, Ibrahim; Elbaset, Adel A.; El Dein, Adel Z.; Qudaih, Yaser; Mitani, Yasunori

2018-05-01

Photovoltaic (PV) system integration in the electric grid has been increasing over the past decades. However, the impact of PV penetration on the electric grid, especially during the periods of higher and lower generation for the solar system at the middle of the day and during cloudy weather or at night respectively, limit the high penetration of solar PV system. In this research, a Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) with Thermal Energy Storage (TES) has been aggregated with PV system in order to accommodate the required electrical power during the higher and lower solar energy at all timescales. This paper analyzes the impacts of CSP on the grid-connected PV considering high penetration of PV system, particularly when no energy storages in the form of batteries are used. Two cases have been studied, the first when only PV system is integrated into the electric grid and the second when two types of solar energy (PV and CSP) are integrated. The System Advisor Model (SAM) software is used to simulate the output power of renewable energy. Simulation results show that the performance of CSP has a great impact on the penetration level of PV system and on the flexibility of the electric grid. The overall grid flexibility increases due to the ability of CSP to store and dispatch the generated power. In addition, CSP/TES itself has inherent flexibility. Therefore, CSP reduces the minimum generation constraint of the conventional generators that allows more penetration of the PV system.

Promotion of grid-connected photovoltaic systems in Spain: Performance analysis of the period 1998-2008

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

de la Hoz, Jordi; Boix, Oriol; Martin, Helena [Department of Electrical Engineering, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC), Escola Tecnica d' Enginyeria Industrial de Barcelona (EUETIB), Carrer del Comte d' Urgell, 187, 08036 Barcelona (Spain); Martins, Blanca [Department of Business Management, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC), Escola Tecnica d' Enginyeria Industrial de Barcelona (EUETIB), Carrer del Comte d' Urgell, 187, 08036 Barcelona (Spain); Graells, Moises [Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC), Escola Tecnica d' Enginyeria Industrial de Barcelona (EUETIB), Carrer del Comte d' Urgell, 187, 08036 Barcelona (Spain)

2010-12-15

This paper contributes a critical view of the development of grid-connected photovoltaic systems (GCPVS) in Spain during the period 1998-2008 by looking into the different actions that were intended to promote this technology. The Spanish photovoltaic (PV) sector has undergone bullish development in the recent years, but its underlying factors still lack systematic identification and analysis. Accordingly, this paper collects and presents detailed data for describing this evolution. It also makes a special case of the particular promotion of PV systems on roof and goes further to analyze how these actions have affected GCPVS evolution as well as the magnitude of their impact on its performance. The exponential growth of installed cumulative PV power at the end of this period, which largely exceeded the target set for 2008, is canvassed by building an analogy with feedback control systems. In this approach, market response or the PV power attained is considered as the system output, while the different regulation changes are regarded as control actions aimed at enabling GCPVS to hit the energy target. Such an analysis allows determining the most significant delays and control actions that explain the system's performance. Hence, this study suggests an alternative framework to support the formulation and assessment of energy policy as it puts the emphasis not only on the evolution of the system per se but rather on the performance of the system against the energy target. In this regard, it might contribute to enhance the promotion mechanisms of green technologies. (author)

PWM Regulation of Grid-Tied PV System on the Base of Photovoltaic-Fed Diode-Clamped Inverters

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Oleschuk V.I.

2015-12-01

Full Text Available Investigation of grid-tied photovoltaic system on the base of two diode-clamped inverters, controlled by specific algorithms of pulse-width modulation (PWM, has been done. This system includes two strings of photovoltaic panels feeding two diode-clamped inverters. The outputs of inverters are connected with the corresponding windings on the primary side of three-phase transformer, connected with a grid. In order to reduce phase voltage distortion and to increase efficiency of operation of the system, special scheme of control and modulation of inverters has been used, providing minimization of common-mode voltages and voltage waveforms symmetries under different operating conditions. Detailed simulation of processes in this photovoltaic-fed power conversion system has been executed. The results of simulations verify good performance of photovoltaic system regulated in accordance with specific strategy of control and modulation.

All SiC Grid-Connected PV Supply with HF Link MPPT Converter: System Design Methodology and Development of a 20 kHz, 25 kVA Prototype

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Serkan Öztürk

2018-05-01

Full Text Available Design methodology and implementation of an all SiC power semiconductor-based, grid-connected multi-string photovoltaic (PV supply with an isolated high frequency (HF link maximum power point tracker (MPPT have been described. This system configuration makes possible the use of a simple and reliable two-level voltage source inverter (VSI topology for grid connection, owing to the galvanic isolation provided by the HF transformer. This topology provides a viable alternative to the commonly used non-isolated PV supplies equipped with Si-based boost MPPT converters cascaded with relatively more complex inverter topologies, at competitive efficiency figures and a higher power density. A 20 kHz, 25 kVA prototype system was designed based on the dynamic model of the multi-string PV panels obtained from field tests. Design parameters such as input DC link capacitance, switching frequencies of MPPT converter and voltage source inverter, size and performance of HF transformer with nanocrystalline core, DC link voltage, and LCL filter of the VSI were optimized in view of the site dependent parameters such as the variation ranges of solar insolation, module surface temperature, and grid voltage. A modified synchronous reference frame control was implemented in the VSI by applying the grid voltage feedforward to the reference voltages in abc axes directly, so that zero-sequence components of grid voltages are taken into account in the case of an unbalanced grid. The system was implemented and the proposed design methodology verified satisfactorily in the field on a roof-mounted 23.7 kW multi-string PV system.

Grid Integration of PV Power based on PHIL testing using different Interface Algorithms

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Craciun, Bogdan-Ionut; Kerekes, Tamas; Sera, Dezso

2013-01-01

to be more active in grid support. Therefore, a better understanding and detailed analysis of the PV systems interaction with the grid is needed; hence power hardware in the loop (PHIL) testing involving PV power became an interesting subject to look into. To test PV systems for grid code (GC) compliance......Photovoltaic (PV) power among all renewable energies had the most accelerated growth rate in terms of installed capacity in recent years. Transmission System Operators (TSOs) changed their perspective about PV power and started to include it into their planning and operation, imposing PV systems...

Model Building of Photovoltaic Array with MPPT Function and Research on Single Phase Grid Connected

OpenAIRE

Li Zhengzhou

2016-01-01

With the continued development of solar photovoltaic technology, research on distributed grid connected photovoltaic system has become a research focus in the field of photovoltaic grid power plant and the computer simulation technology is an effective technology means in the study. On the basis of the photovoltaic array output characteristic equation, the photovoltaic array maximum power control simulation model based on M function is established by using MATLAB/Simulink and the simulation m...

Resonance Damping and Parameter Design Method for LCL-LC Filter Interfaced Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Inverters

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Li, Zipeng; Jiang, Aiting; Shen, Pan

2016-01-01

, this paper presents a systematic design method for the LCL-LC filtered grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system. With this method, controller parameters and the active damping feedback coefficient are easily obtained by specifying the system stability and dynamic performance indices, and it is more convenient......-frequency harmonics attenuation ability, but the resonant problem affects the system stability remarkably. In this paper, active damping based on the capacitor voltage feedback is proposed using the concept of the equivalent virtual impedance in parallel with the capacitor. With the consideration of system delay...... to optimize the system performance according to the predefined satisfactory region. Finally, the simulation results are presented to validate the proposed design method and control scheme....

Harmonics Suppression for Single-Phase Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems in Different Operation Modes

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Yang, Yongheng; Zhou, Keliang; Blaabjerg, Frede

2013-01-01

-connected PV inverters may be severely affected in different operation modes. In this paper, a detailed analysis is conducted to reveal the relationship between the harmonics level with the power factor and the current level in the PV systems. A current control solution which employs an Internal Model...... Principle (IMP) is proposed to suppress the harmonic currents injected into the grid. Experiments are carried out to verify the analysis and the performance of the proposed control method. It is demonstrated that the proposed method presents an effective solution to harmonics suppression for single......-phase grid-connected PV systems in different operation modes. Especially, it can remove higher order harmonics effectively leading to a better power quality compared to the Proportional plus Multi-Resonant Controller, and it has less computational burden....

Topology and Control of Transformerless High Voltage Grid-connected PV System Based on Cascade Step-up Structure

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Yang, Zilong; Wang, Zhe; Zhang, Ying

2017-01-01

-up structure, instead of applying line-frequency step-up transformer, is proposed to connect PV directly to the 10 kV medium voltage grid. This series-connected step-up PV system integrates with multiple functions, including separated maximum power point tracking (MPPT), centralized energy storage, power...

Power Hardware-in-the-Loop Evaluation of PV Inverter Grid Support on Hawaiian Electric Feeders

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nelson, Austin A [National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Prabakar, Kumaraguru [National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Nagarajan, Adarsh [National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Nepal, Shaili [National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Hoke, Anderson F [National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Asano, Marc [Hawaiian Electric Company; Ueda, Reid [Hawaiian Electric Company; Ifuku, Earle [Hawaiian Electric Company

2017-10-03

As more grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) inverters become compliant with evolving interconnections requirements, there is increased interest from utilities in understanding how to best deploy advanced grid-support functions (GSF) in the field. One efficient and cost-effective method to examine such deployment options is to leverage power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) testing methods, which combine the fidelity of hardware tests with the flexibility of computer simulation. This paper summarizes a study wherein two Hawaiian Electric feeder models were converted to real-time models using an OPAL-RT real-time digital testing platform, and integrated with models of GSF capable PV inverters based on characterization test data. The integrated model was subsequently used in PHIL testing to evaluate the effects of different fixed power factor and volt-watt control settings on voltage regulation of the selected feeders using physical inverters. Selected results are presented in this paper, and complete results of this study were provided as inputs for field deployment and technical interconnection requirements for grid-connected PV inverters on the Hawaiian Islands.

Real-time prediction models for output power and efficiency of grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Su, Yan; Chan, Lai-Cheong; Shu, Lianjie; Tsui, Kwok-Leung

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► We develop online prediction models for solar photovoltaic system performance. ► The proposed prediction models are simple but with reasonable accuracy. ► The maximum monthly average minutely efficiency varies 10.81–12.63%. ► The average efficiency tends to be slightly higher in winter months. - Abstract: This paper develops new real time prediction models for output power and energy efficiency of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. These models were validated using measured data of a grid-connected solar PV system in Macau. Both time frames based on yearly average and monthly average are considered. It is shown that the prediction model for the yearly/monthly average of the minutely output power fits the measured data very well with high value of R 2 . The online prediction model for system efficiency is based on the ratio of the predicted output power to the predicted solar irradiance. This ratio model is shown to be able to fit the intermediate phase (9 am to 4 pm) very well but not accurate for the growth and decay phases where the system efficiency is near zero. However, it can still serve as a useful purpose for practitioners as most PV systems work in the most efficient manner over this period. It is shown that the maximum monthly average minutely efficiency varies over a small range of 10.81% to 12.63% in different months with slightly higher efficiency in winter months.

Performance analysis of the Single-Phase Grid-Connected Inverter of a photovoltaic system in water and wind applications

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Borkowski Dariusz

2016-01-01

Full Text Available Single-phase grid connected inverters are nowadays broadly developed and tested in various types of applications especially in photovoltaic systems. The main aim of the inverter control strategy is to extract the maximum energy from the PV system which corresponds to the maximum power at certain conditions. However, the MPPT methods are also important in other renewable energy conversion systems. This paper analyses the performance of a commercially available photovoltaic inverter in water and wind systems. Presented models are implemented in a laboratory test bench in the form of torque characteristics realised by an induction motor fed by the inverter with vector control. The parameters are scaled into relative variables to provide a proper performance comparison. Presented tests include step response to assess the performance of a system dynamic. The dynamic tests showed a fast response of the investigated systems. The MPPT tracking accuracy tested under realistic profiles is similar for both cases: 98% and 96% respectively for the wind and water systems. These results prove the satisfactory performance of the MPPT of the PV microinverter in these applications.

Single-Phase Single-Stage Grid Tied Solar PV System with Active Power Filtering Using Power Balance Theory

Science.gov (United States)

Singh, Yashi; Hussain, Ikhlaq; Singh, Bhim; Mishra, Sukumar

2018-03-01

In this paper, power quality features such as harmonics mitigation, power factor correction with active power filtering are addressed in a single-stage, single-phase solar photovoltaic (PV) grid tied system. The Power Balance Theory (PBT) with perturb and observe based maximum power point tracking algorithm is proposed for the mitigation of power quality problems in a solar PV grid tied system. The solar PV array is interfaced to a single phase AC grid through a Voltage Source Converter (VSC), which provides active power flow from a solar PV array to the grid as well as to the load and it performs harmonics mitigation using PBT based control. The solar PV array power varies with sunlight and due to this, the solar PV grid tied VSC works only 8-10 h per day. At night, when PV power is zero, the VSC works as an active power filter for power quality improvement, and the load active power is delivered by the grid to the load connected at the point of common coupling. This increases the effective utilization of a VSC. The system is modelled and simulated using MATLAB and simulated responses of the system at nonlinear loads and varying environmental conditions are also validated experimentally on a prototype developed in the laboratory.

Progress in markets for grid-connected PV systems in the built environment

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Haas, R.

2004-01-01

In the last decade of the twentieth century a wide variety of promotion strategies increased the market penetration of small grid-connected PV systems world-wide. The objective of this paper is to assess the impact of these promotion strategies on the market for and on the economic performance of small grid-connected PV systems. The most important conclusions of this analysis are: Pure cost-effectiveness is not crucial for private customers. Affordability is rather what counts. Non-monetary issues play an important role for a substantial increase in market deployment. Comprehensive accompanied information and education activities are also important along with financial incentives. There are still considerable barriers in the market: on the one hand transparent and competitive markets exist in only a few countries; on the other hand non-monetary transaction costs still represent a major barrier. Progress with respect to cost reduction has been achieved, but mainly for non-module components. (author)

Solar photovoltaic systems and their use as grid-connected generators in the United Kingdom

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Munro, D K; Hacker, R J; Thornycroft, J M [Halcrow Gilbert Associates Ltd., Swindon (United Kingdom)

1995-10-01

There is an increasing interest in the use of building-integrated solar photovoltaic generators as grid-connected generators. This paper discusses the experience with this technology in Europe. Typical systems and their integration into domestic and non-domestic buildings are described. Information is provided on the energy output that can be expected from the systems and the economics of their use. The paper provides an overview of the requirements for photovoltaic systems as grid-connected generation plant in the United Kingdom. (Author)

Optimum Design Of Grid Connected Photovoltaic System Using Concentrators

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Eng. Mohammed Fawzy

2015-08-01

Full Text Available Abstract Due to the increasing demand of electrical energy in Egypt and also in many neighboring countries around the world the main problem facing electrical energy production using classical methods such steam power stations is the depletion of fossil fuels. The gap between the electrical energy demand and the continuous increase on the fossil fuel cost make the problem of electricity generation more sophisticated. With the continuous decrease of the photovoltaic PV technologies cost it doesnt make sense neglecting the importance of electricity production using solar photovoltaic PV especially that the annual average daily energy received is about 6 kamp12310whmamp123112day in Cairo Egypt 30N.In this work a detailed simulation model including photovoltaic PV module characteristics and climatic conditions of Cairo Egypt is developed. The model compares fixed PV systems electrical energy output with photovoltaic PV system using concentrators and double axis tracker systems. The comparison includes the energy generated area required as well as the cost per kwh generated. The optimality criterion is the cost per kwh generated. The system that gives the minimum cost per kwh is the optimum system. To verify the developed model the simulation results of fixed PV modules and CPV using tracking system obtained by the model are compared with practical measurements of 40KW peak station erected in Cairo Egypt 30N.Very good agreement between measured values and results obtained from detailed simulation model. For fixed PV system the detailed economic analysis showed that it gives minimum cost perkwh generated Comparisons among these systems are presented. For Cairo results showed that a cost of about 6 to 9 US centskwh is attainable.

Development of an economical model to determine an appropriate feed-in tariff for grid-connected solar PV electricity in all states of Australia

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zahedi, A.

2009-01-01

Australia is a country with a vast amount of natural resources including sun and wind. Australia lies between latitude of 10-45 S and longitude of 112-152 E, with a daily solar exposure of between less than 3 MJ/(m 2 day) in winter and more than 30 MJ/(m 2 day) in summer. Global solar radiation in Australia varies between minimum of 3285 MJ/(m 2 year) in Hobart to 8760 MJ/(m 2 year) in Northern Territory. As a result of this wide range of radiation level there will be a big difference between costs of solar PV electricity in different locations. A study we have recently conducted on the solar PV electricity price in all states of Australia. For this purpose we have developed an economical model and a computer simulation to determine the accurate unit price of grid-connected roof-top solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity in A$/kWh for all state of Australia. The benefit of this computer simulation is that we can accurately determine the most appropriate feed-in tariff of grid-connected solar PV energy system. The main objective of this paper is to present the results of this study. A further objective of this paper is to present the details of the unit price of solar PV electricity in the state of Victoria in each month and then to compare with electricity price from conventional power systems, which is currently applied to this state. The state Victoria is located south of Australia and in terms of sun radiation is second lowest compared with the other Australian states. The computer simulation developed for this study makes it possible to determine the cost of grid-connected solar PV electricity at any location in any country based on availability of average daily solar exposure of each month as well as economical factors of the country. (author)

Regional PV power estimation and forecast to mitigate the impact of high photovoltaic penetration on electric grid.

Science.gov (United States)

Pierro, Marco; De Felice, Matteo; Maggioni, Enrico; Moser, David; Perotto, Alessandro; Spada, Francesco; Cornaro, Cristina

2017-04-01

The growing photovoltaic generation results in a stochastic variability of the electric demand that could compromise the stability of the grid and increase the amount of energy reserve and the energy imbalance cost. On regional scale, solar power estimation and forecast is becoming essential for Distribution System Operators, Transmission System Operator, energy traders, and aggregators of generation. Indeed the estimation of regional PV power can be used for PV power supervision and real time control of residual load. Mid-term PV power forecast can be employed for transmission scheduling to reduce energy imbalance and related cost of penalties, residual load tracking, trading optimization, secondary energy reserve assessment. In this context, a new upscaling method was developed and used for estimation and mid-term forecast of the photovoltaic distributed generation in a small area in the north of Italy under the control of a local DSO. The method was based on spatial clustering of the PV fleet and neural networks models that input satellite or numerical weather prediction data (centered on cluster centroids) to estimate or predict the regional solar generation. It requires a low computational effort and very few input information should be provided by users. The power estimation model achieved a RMSE of 3% of installed capacity. Intra-day forecast (from 1 to 4 hours) obtained a RMSE of 5% - 7% while the one and two days forecast achieve to a RMSE of 7% and 7.5%. A model to estimate the forecast error and the prediction intervals was also developed. The photovoltaic production in the considered region provided the 6.9% of the electric consumption in 2015. Since the PV penetration is very similar to the one observed at national level (7.9%), this is a good case study to analyse the impact of PV generation on the electric grid and the effects of PV power forecast on transmission scheduling and on secondary reserve estimation. It appears that, already with 7% of PV

Reactive Power Injection Strategies for Single-Phase Photovoltaic Systems Considering Grid Requirements

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Yang, Yongheng; Wang, Huai; Blaabjerg, Frede

2014-01-01

As the development and installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems are still growing at an exceptionally rapid pace, relevant grid integration policies are going to change consequently in order to accept more PV systems in the grid. The next generation PV systems will play an even more active role...

Proposing Wavelet-Based Low-Pass Filter and Input Filter to Improve Transient Response of Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Bijan Rahmani

2016-08-01

Full Text Available Available photovoltaic (PV systems show a prolonged transient response, when integrated into the power grid via active filters. On one hand, the conventional low-pass filter, employed within the integrated PV system, works with a large delay, particularly in the presence of system’s low-order harmonics. On the other hand, the switching of the DC (direct current–DC converters within PV units also prolongs the transient response of an integrated system, injecting harmonics and distortion through the PV-end current. This paper initially develops a wavelet-based low-pass filter to improve the transient response of the interconnected PV systems to grid lines. Further, a damped input filter is proposed within the PV system to address the raised converter’s switching issue. Finally, Matlab/Simulink simulations validate the effectiveness of the proposed wavelet-based low-pass filter and damped input filter within an integrated PV system.

Flexible Power Control of Photovoltaic Systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Blaabjerg, Frede; Sangwongwanich, Ariya; Yang, Yongheng

2018-01-01

With a still increasing penetration level of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems, more advanced and flexible control functionalities are demanded. To ensure a smooth and friendly integration between the PV systems and the grid, the power generated by the PV system needs to be flexible...

Grid-connected solar electricity in France : the example of Martinique, a French overseas department

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Melle, Y. [Tenesol (France)

2006-07-01

Tenesol has specialized in photovoltaic (PV) solar energy since 1983 with experience in grid connections, professional applications, decentralized rural electrification and solar pumping. The company's operations include the manufacture of solar panels, system design and turnkey installations backed by a comprehensive after sales service through a global network of subsidiaries. Half of Tenesol's group shareholdings belong to Electricite de France and half belong to Total. The 2 specialized subsidiaries of Tenesol are Tenesa Manufacturing and Tenesol Technologies. This presentation focused Tenesol's operations in Martinique and its financial environment of grid-connected photovoltaics. It presented Tenesol's approach for technical and economic validation of roof suitability in terms of the disc orientation of PV panels. The key figures of installing a 300 square metre 40 kWp PV system were presented along with photographs of installations in Martinique. The installations have a total installed capacity of 2.5 MWp and an annual solar electricity production of 3,375,000 kWhs, resulting in a reduction of 3,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually. figs.

Implementation and Test of an Online Embedded Grid Impedance Estimation Technique for PV Inverters

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Asiminoaei, Lucian; Teodorescu, Remus; Blaabjerg, Frede

2005-01-01

New and stronger power quality requirements are issued due to the increased amount of photovoltaic (PV) installations. In this paper different methods are used for continuous grid monitoring in PV inverters. By injecting a noncharacteristic harmonic current and measuring the grid voltage response...

Comparative Study Between Wind and Photovoltaic (PV) Systems

Science.gov (United States)

Taha, Wesam

This paper reviews two renewable energy systems; wind and photovoltaic (PV) systems. The common debate between the two of them is to conclude which one is better, in terms of cost and efficiency. Therefore, comparative study, in terms of cost and efficiency, is attempted. Regarding total cost of both, wind and PV systems, many parameters must be taken into consideration such as availability of energy (either wind or solar), operation and maintenance, availability of costumers, political influence, and the components used in building the system. The main components and parameters that play major role in determining the overall efficiency of wind systems are the wind turbine generator (WTG), gearbox and control technologies such as power, and speed control. On the other hand, in grid-connected PV systems (GCPVS), converter architecture along with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm and inverter topologies are the issues that affects the efficiency significantly. Cost and efficiency analyses of both systems have been carried out based on the statistics available till today and would be useful in the progress of renewable energy penetration throughout the world.

Lyapunov-Based Control Scheme for Single-Phase Grid-Connected PV Central Inverters

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Meza, C.; Biel, D.; Jeltsema, D.; Scherpen, J. M. A.

A Lyapunov-based control scheme for single-phase single-stage grid-connected photovoltaic central inverters is presented. Besides rendering the closed-loop system globally stable, the designed controller is able to deal with the system uncertainty that depends on the solar irradiance. A laboratory

Design issues for grid-connected photovoltaic systems

Science.gov (United States)

Ropp, Michael Eugene

1998-08-01

Photovoltaics (PV) is the direct conversion of sunlight to electrical energy. In areas without centralized utility grids, the benefits of PV easily overshadow the present shortcomings of the technology. However, in locations with centralized utility systems, significant technical challenges remain before utility-interactive PV (UIPV) systems can be integrated into the mix of electricity sources. One challenge is that the needed computer design tools for optimal design of PV systems with curved PV arrays are not available, and even those that are available do not facilitate monitoring of the system once it is built. Another arises from the issue of islanding. Islanding occurs when a UIPV system continues to energize a section of a utility system after that section has been isolated from the utility voltage source. Islanding, which is potentially dangerous to both personnel and equipment, is difficult to prevent completely. The work contained within this thesis targets both of these technical challenges. In Task 1, a method for modeling a PV system with a curved PV array using only existing computer software is developed. This methodology also facilitates comparison of measured and modeled data for use in system monitoring. The procedure is applied to the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center (GTAC) FV system. In the work contained under Task 2, islanding prevention is considered. The existing state-of-the- art is thoroughly reviewed. In Subtask 2.1, an analysis is performed which suggests that standard protective relays are in fact insufficient to guarantee protection against islanding. In Subtask 2.2. several existing islanding prevention methods are compared in a novel way. The superiority of this new comparison over those used previously is demonstrated. A new islanding prevention method is the subject under Subtask 2.3. It is shown that it does not compare favorably with other existing techniques. However, in Subtask 2.4, a novel method for dramatically improving this new

Static Equivalent of Distribution Grids With High Penetration of PV Systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Samadi, Afshin; Söder, Lennart; Shayesteh, Ebrahim

2015-01-01

High penetrations of photovoltaic (PV) systems within load pockets in distribution grids have changed pure consumers to prosumers. This can cause technical challenges in distribution and transmission grids, such as overvoltage and reverse power flow. Embedding voltage support schemes into PVs...... equivalent that can fairly capture the dominant behavior of the distribution grids. The aim of this paper is to use gray-box modeling concepts to develop a static equivalent of distribution grids comprising a large number of PV systems embedded with voltage support schemes. In the proposed model, the PV...... systems are aggregated as a separate entity, and not as a negative load, which is traditionally done. The results demonstrate the superior quality of the proposed model compared with the model with PV systems as the negative load....

Design and Analysis of Grid Connected Photovoltaic Fed Unified Power Quality Conditioner

Science.gov (United States)

Dash, Santanu Kumar; Ray, Pravat Kumar

2016-06-01

This paper proposes the integration scheme and operation of the Unified Power Quality conditioner (UPQC) with Photovoltaic source as distributed generations for power quality improvement. Thus, it provides a novel PV-grid integration configuration and prevents any adverse situation related to current or voltage in power system. Voltage related issues are maintained by the series part of UPQC and the current related issues are handles by shunt part of the UPQC. The various operation modes of PV-UPQC schemes are broadly classified according to the direction of power flow, (i) Interconnected mode, (ii) Islanding mode. PV-UPQC has advantage over the conventional UPQC scheme as it has developed the capability to compensate the voltage interruption problems Control algorithms for shunt and series part of the UPQC is implemented. Development of the proposed configuration has been designed in the laboratory with control algorithm implemented in dSPACE and results are discussed.

Rapid Active Power Control of Photovoltaic Systems for Grid Frequency Support

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hoke, Anderson; Shirazi, Mariko; Chakraborty, Sudipta; Muljadi, Eduard; Maksimovic, Dragan

2017-01-01

As deployment of power electronic coupled generation such as photovoltaic (PV) systems increases, grid operators have shown increasing interest in calling on inverter-coupled generation to help mitigate frequency contingency events by rapidly surging active power into the grid. When responding to contingency events, the faster the active power is provided, the more effective it may be for arresting the frequency event. This paper proposes a predictive PV inverter control method for very fast and accurate control of active power. This rapid active power control method will increase the effectiveness of various higher-level controls designed to mitigate grid frequency contingency events, including fast power-frequency droop, inertia emulation, and fast frequency response, without the need for energy storage. The rapid active power control method, coupled with a maximum power point estimation method, is implemented in a prototype PV inverter connected to a PV array. The prototype inverter's response to various frequency events is experimentally confirmed to be fast (beginning within 2 line cycles and completing within 4.5 line cycles of a severe test event) and accurate (below 2% steady-state error).

Modeling and Coordinated Control Strategy of Large Scale Grid-Connected Wind/Photovoltaic/Energy Storage Hybrid Energy Conversion System

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Lingguo Kong

2015-01-01

Full Text Available An AC-linked large scale wind/photovoltaic (PV/energy storage (ES hybrid energy conversion system for grid-connected application was proposed in this paper. Wind energy conversion system (WECS and PV generation system are the primary power sources of the hybrid system. The ES system, including battery and fuel cell (FC, is used as a backup and a power regulation unit to ensure continuous power supply and to take care of the intermittent nature of wind and photovoltaic resources. Static synchronous compensator (STATCOM is employed to support the AC-linked bus voltage and improve low voltage ride through (LVRT capability of the proposed system. An overall power coordinated control strategy is designed to manage real-power and reactive-power flows among the different energy sources, the storage unit, and the STATCOM system in the hybrid system. A simulation case study carried out on Western System Coordinating Council (WSCC 3-machine 9-bus test system for the large scale hybrid energy conversion system has been developed using the DIgSILENT/Power Factory software platform. The hybrid system performance under different scenarios has been verified by simulation studies using practical load demand profiles and real weather data.

Power Quality Experimental Analysis on Rural Home Grid-Connected PV Systems

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Rita Jorge Cerqueira Pinto

2015-01-01

Full Text Available Microgeneration is the small-scale generation of heat or electric power or both, by individuals or buildings to meet their own needs. Recently, microgeneration is being regarded as a means to decentralize the power production of renewable energies, reducing the impacts on the grid caused by unexpected energy demands. Given the increase in microgeneration facilities, determining the quantity of energy produced and the power quality assumes growing importance in low, medium, or high voltage facilities. This paper presents a power quality analysis of two different facilities with photovoltaic generation localized in a rural area of Portugal, describing the voltage and frequency behaviour, the harmonic contents, and the total harmonic distortion. Statistical data are presented regarding the number of voltage events and occurrence of dips and swells in both facilities as a percentage of rated voltage. We conclude that some PV systems can severely affect voltage quality, forcing the grid to work at and even above the maximum voltage standard limit.

An integrative approach to the design methodology for 3-phase power conditioners in Photovoltaic Grid-Connected systems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rey-Boué, Alexis B.; García-Valverde, Rafael; Ruz-Vila, Francisco de A.; Torrelo-Ponce, José M.

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► A design methodology for Photovoltaic grid-connected systems is presented. ► Models of the Photovoltaic Generator and the 3-phase Inverter are described. ► The power factor and the power quality are regulated with vector control. ► Simulation and experimental results validate the design methodology. ► The proposed methodology can be extended to any Renewable or Industrial System. - Abstract: A novel methodology is presented in this paper, for the design of the Power and Control Subsystems of a 3-phase Photovoltaic Grid-Connected system in an easy and comprehensive way, as an integrative approach. At the DC side of the Power Subsystem, the Photovoltaic Generator modeling is revised and a simple model is proposed, whereas at the AC side, a vector analysis is done to deal with the instantaneous 3-phase variables of the grid-connected Voltage Source Inverter. A d–q control approach is established in the Control Subsystem, along with its specific tuned parameters, as a vector control alternative which will allow the decoupled control of the instantaneous active and reactive powers. A particular Case of Study is presented to illustrate the behavior of the design methodology regarding the fulfillment of the Photovoltaic plant specifications. Some simulations are run to study the performance of the Photovoltaic Generator together with the exerted d–q control to the grid-connected 3-phase inverter, and some experimental results, obtained from a built flexible platform, are also shown. The simulations and the experimental results validate the overall performance of the 3-phase Photovoltaic Grid-Connected system due to the attained unitary power factor operation together with good power quality. The final validation of the proposed design methodology is also achieved.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Distributed Generation Systems - Control and Protection

Science.gov (United States)

Yi, Zhehan

This dissertation proposes a comprehensive control, power management, and fault detection strategy for solar photovoltaic (PV) distribution generations. Battery storages are typically employed in PV systems to mitigate the power fluctuation caused by unstable solar irradiance. With AC and DC loads, a PV-battery system can be treated as a hybrid microgrid which contains both DC and AC power resources and buses. In this thesis, a control power and management system (CAPMS) for PV-battery hybrid microgrid is proposed, which provides 1) the DC and AC bus voltage and AC frequency regulating scheme and controllers designed to track set points; 2) a power flow management strategy in the hybrid microgrid to achieve system generation and demand balance in both grid-connected and islanded modes; 3) smooth transition control during grid reconnection by frequency and phase synchronization control between the main grid and microgrid. Due to the increasing demands for PV power, scales of PV systems are getting larger and fault detection in PV arrays becomes challenging. High-impedance faults, low-mismatch faults, and faults occurred in low irradiance conditions tend to be hidden due to low fault currents, particularly, when a PV maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm is in-service. If remain undetected, these faults can considerably lower the output energy of solar systems, damage the panels, and potentially cause fire hazards. In this dissertation, fault detection challenges in PV arrays are analyzed in depth, considering the crossing relations among the characteristics of PV, interactions with MPPT algorithms, and the nature of solar irradiance. Two fault detection schemes are then designed as attempts to address these technical issues, which detect faults inside PV arrays accurately even under challenging circumstances, e.g., faults in low irradiance conditions or high-impedance faults. Taking advantage of multi-resolution signal decomposition (MSD), a powerful signal

Design of A Grid Integrated PV System with MPPT Control and Voltage Oriented Controller using MATLAB/PLECES

Science.gov (United States)

Soreng, Bineeta; Behera, Pradyumna; Pradhan, Raseswari

2017-08-01

This paper presents model of a grid-integrated photovoltaic array with Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) and voltage oriented controller. The MPPT of the PV array is usually an essential part of PV system as MPPT helps the operating point of the solar array to align its maximum power point. In this model, the MPPT along with a DC-DC converter lets a PV generator to produce continuous power, despite of the measurement conditions. The neutral-point-clamped converter (NPC) with a boost converter raises the voltage from the panels to the DC-link. An LCL-filter smoothens the current ripple caused by the PWM modulation of the grid-side inverter. In addition to the MPPT, the system has two more two controllers, such as voltage controller and a current controller. The voltage control has a PI controller to regulate the PV voltage to optimal level by controlling the amount of current injected into the boost stage. Here, the grid-side converter transfers the power from the DC-link into the grid and maintains the DC-link voltage. Three-phase PV inverters are used for off-grid or designed to create utility frequency AC. The PV system can be connected in series or parallel to get the desired output power. To justify the working of this model, the grid-integrated PV system has been designed in MATLAB/PLECS. The simulation shows the P-V curve of implemented PV Array consisting 4 X 20 modules, reactive, real power, grid voltage and current.

Investigating the Impact of Shading Effect on the Characteristics of a Large-Scale Grid-Connected PV Power Plant in Northwest China

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Yunlin Sun

2014-01-01

Full Text Available Northwest China is an ideal region for large-scale grid-connected PV system installation due to its abundant solar radiation and vast areas. For grid-connected PV systems in this region, one of the key issues is how to reduce the shading effect as much as possible to maximize their power generation. In this paper, a shading simulation model for PV modules is established and its reliability is verified under the standard testing condition (STC in laboratory. Based on the investigation result of a 20 MWp grid-connected PV plant in northwest China, the typical shading phenomena are classified and analyzed individually, such as power distribution buildings shading and wire poles shading, plants and birds droppings shading, and front-row PV arrays shading. A series of experiments is also conducted on-site to evaluate and compare the impacts of different typical shading forms. Finally, some feasible solutions are proposed to avoid or reduce the shading effect of PV system during operation in such region.

Modified Grid-Connected CSI for Hybrid PV/Wind Power Generation System

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

D. Amorndechaphon

2012-01-01

Full Text Available The principle of a power conditioning unit for hybrid PV/wind power generation system is proposed. The proposed power conditioner is based on the current source inverter (CSI topology. All energy sources are connected in parallel with a DC-bus through the modified wave-shaping circuits. To achieve the unity power factor at the utility grid, the DC-link current can be controlled via the wave-shaping circuits with the sinusoidal PWM scheme. In this work, the carrier-based PWM scheme is also proposed to minimize the utility current THD. The power rating of the proposed system can be increased by connecting more PV/wind modules through their wave-shaping circuits in parallel with the other modules. The details of the operating principles, the system configurations, and the design considerations are described. The effectiveness of the proposed CSI is demonstrated by simulation results.

Control strategy of grid-connected photovoltaic generation system based on GMPPT method

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Zhongfeng; Zhang, Xuyang; Hu, Bo; Liu, Jun; Li, Ligang; Gu, Yongqiang; Zhou, Bowen

2018-02-01

There are multiple local maximum power points when photovoltaic (PV) array runs under partial shading condition (PSC).However, the traditional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm might be easily trapped in local maximum power points (MPPs) and cannot find the global maximum power point (GMPP). To solve such problem, a global maximum power point tracking method (GMPPT) is improved, combined with traditional MPPT method and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Under different operating conditions of PV cells, different tracking algorithms are used. When the environment changes, the improved PSO algorithm is adopted to realize the global optimal search, and the variable step incremental conductance (INC) method is adopted to achieve MPPT in optimal local location. Based on the simulation model of the PV grid system built in Matlab/Simulink, comparative analysis of the tracking effect of MPPT by the proposed control algorithm and the traditional MPPT method under the uniform solar condition and PSC, validate the correctness, feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.

Indirect adaptive soft computing based wavelet-embedded control paradigms for WT/PV/SOFC in a grid/charging station connected hybrid power system.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Sidra Mumtaz

Full Text Available This paper focuses on the indirect adaptive tracking control of renewable energy sources in a grid-connected hybrid power system. The renewable energy systems have low efficiency and intermittent nature due to unpredictable meteorological conditions. The domestic load and the conventional charging stations behave in an uncertain manner. To operate the renewable energy sources efficiently for harvesting maximum power, instantaneous nonlinear dynamics should be captured online. A Chebyshev-wavelet embedded NeuroFuzzy indirect adaptive MPPT (maximum power point tracking control paradigm is proposed for variable speed wind turbine-permanent synchronous generator (VSWT-PMSG. A Hermite-wavelet incorporated NeuroFuzzy indirect adaptive MPPT control strategy for photovoltaic (PV system to extract maximum power and indirect adaptive tracking control scheme for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC is developed. A comprehensive simulation test-bed for a grid-connected hybrid power system is developed in Matlab/Simulink. The robustness of the suggested indirect adaptive control paradigms are evaluated through simulation results in a grid-connected hybrid power system test-bed by comparison with conventional and intelligent control techniques. The simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed control paradigms.

Indirect adaptive soft computing based wavelet-embedded control paradigms for WT/PV/SOFC in a grid/charging station connected hybrid power system.

Science.gov (United States)

Mumtaz, Sidra; Khan, Laiq; Ahmed, Saghir; Bader, Rabiah

2017-01-01

This paper focuses on the indirect adaptive tracking control of renewable energy sources in a grid-connected hybrid power system. The renewable energy systems have low efficiency and intermittent nature due to unpredictable meteorological conditions. The domestic load and the conventional charging stations behave in an uncertain manner. To operate the renewable energy sources efficiently for harvesting maximum power, instantaneous nonlinear dynamics should be captured online. A Chebyshev-wavelet embedded NeuroFuzzy indirect adaptive MPPT (maximum power point tracking) control paradigm is proposed for variable speed wind turbine-permanent synchronous generator (VSWT-PMSG). A Hermite-wavelet incorporated NeuroFuzzy indirect adaptive MPPT control strategy for photovoltaic (PV) system to extract maximum power and indirect adaptive tracking control scheme for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) is developed. A comprehensive simulation test-bed for a grid-connected hybrid power system is developed in Matlab/Simulink. The robustness of the suggested indirect adaptive control paradigms are evaluated through simulation results in a grid-connected hybrid power system test-bed by comparison with conventional and intelligent control techniques. The simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed control paradigms.

Indirect adaptive soft computing based wavelet-embedded control paradigms for WT/PV/SOFC in a grid/charging station connected hybrid power system

Science.gov (United States)

Khan, Laiq; Ahmed, Saghir; Bader, Rabiah

2017-01-01

This paper focuses on the indirect adaptive tracking control of renewable energy sources in a grid-connected hybrid power system. The renewable energy systems have low efficiency and intermittent nature due to unpredictable meteorological conditions. The domestic load and the conventional charging stations behave in an uncertain manner. To operate the renewable energy sources efficiently for harvesting maximum power, instantaneous nonlinear dynamics should be captured online. A Chebyshev-wavelet embedded NeuroFuzzy indirect adaptive MPPT (maximum power point tracking) control paradigm is proposed for variable speed wind turbine-permanent synchronous generator (VSWT-PMSG). A Hermite-wavelet incorporated NeuroFuzzy indirect adaptive MPPT control strategy for photovoltaic (PV) system to extract maximum power and indirect adaptive tracking control scheme for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) is developed. A comprehensive simulation test-bed for a grid-connected hybrid power system is developed in Matlab/Simulink. The robustness of the suggested indirect adaptive control paradigms are evaluated through simulation results in a grid-connected hybrid power system test-bed by comparison with conventional and intelligent control techniques. The simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed control paradigms. PMID:28877191

Improvement of the grid-connect current quality using novel proportional-integral controller for photovoltaic inverters.

Science.gov (United States)

Cheng, Yuhua; Chen, Kai; Bai, Libing; Yang, Jing

2014-02-01

Precise control of the grid-connected current is a challenge in photovoltaic inverter research. Traditional Proportional-Integral (PI) control technology cannot eliminate steady-state error when tracking the sinusoidal signal from the grid, which results in a very high total harmonic distortion in the grid-connected current. A novel PI controller has been developed in this paper, in which the sinusoidal wave is discretized into an N-step input signal that is decided by the control frequency to eliminate the steady state error of the system. The effect of periodical error caused by the dead zone of the power switch and conduction voltage drop can be avoided; the current tracking accuracy and current harmonic content can also be improved. Based on the proposed PI controller, a 700 W photovoltaic grid-connected inverter is developed and validated. The improvement has been demonstrated through experimental results.

Three-Phase Photovoltaic Systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kerekes, Tamas; Sera, Dezso; Máthé, Lászlo

2017-01-01

Photovoltaic (PV) technology has experienced an unprecedented growth in the last two decades, transforming from mainly an off-grid niche generation to a major renewable energy technology, reaching approximately 227 GW of capacity worldwide at the end of 2015 with a predicted extra 50 GW of new...... a hardware point of view, detailing the different PV inverter structures and topologies and discussing the different control layers within a grid-connected PV plant. Modulation schemes for various PV inverter topologies, grid synchronization, current control, active and reactive power control, maximum power...

Grid-tied photovoltaic and battery storage systems with Malaysian electricity tariff

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Subramani, Gopinath; Ramachandaramurthy, Vigna K.; Padmanaban, Sanjeevikumar

2017-01-01

Under the current energy sector framework of electricity tariff in Malaysia, commercial and industrial customers are required to pay the maximum demand (MD) charge apart from the net consumption charges every month. The maximum demand charge will contribute up to 20% of the electricity bill......, and will hence result in commercial and industrial customers focussing on alternative energy supply to minimize the billing cost. This paper aims to review the technical assessment methods of a grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV)-battery storage system-with respect to maximum demand shaving. An effective......, technical, and economic aspects of the solar PV-battery system and the Malaysian electricity tariff for commercial and industrial customers....

Common mode voltage in case of transformerless PV inverters connected to the grid

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kerekes, Tamas; Teodorescu, Remus; Liserre, Marco

2008-01-01

For safety reasons grid connected PV systems include galvanic isolation. In case of transformerless inverters, the leakage ground current through the parasitic capacitance of the PV panels, can reach very high values. A common-mode model based on analytical approach is introduced, used to predict...... the common-mode behavior, at frequencies lower than 50kHz, of the selected topologies and to explain the influence of system imbalance on the leakage current. It will be demonstrated that the neutral inductance has a crucial influence on the leakage current. Finally experimental results will be shown...

Break-even analysis for the storage of PV in power distribution grids

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Nykamp, Stefan; Bakker, Vincent; Molderink, Albert; Hurink, Johann L.; Smit, Gerardus Johannes Maria

2014-01-01

The integration of renewable energy systems poses major challenges on distribution grid operators. Because of the strong growth rates of the installation of photovoltaic (PV) and wind generators, huge needs for reinforcements in grids are expected. Next to conventional reinforcements (with

Control of a Multi-Functional Inverter for Grid Integration of PV and Battery Energy Storage System

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Mousazadeh, Seyyed Yousef; Firoozabadi, Mehdi Savaghebi; Beirami, A.

2015-01-01

This paper presents a multi-functional control of a DC/AC inverter for Power Quality compensation of nonlinear and unequal local loads and grid integration of hybrid photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage systems. Multi-layer neural network estimator and a DC/DC converter are used for maximum...... is used for delivering desire power to the grid. For compensation aim, instantaneous active and reactive power theory (p-q) is used. Via the algorithm, the DC/AC inverter not only can be controlled to inject the power of battery and PV, but also it is used as shunt active filter for compensating unequal...... power point tracking (MPPT) of PV array. The power system is 3-phase 4-wires and the DC/AC inverter is chosen 4-leg three phase inverter which has good performance in presence of zero sequence components. Battery energy storage is connected to PV system in common DC bus and a power management strategy...

Regional Analysis of Aids and Prices for Small-scale Grid-connected Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Spain

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Varela, M.; Ramirez, L.; Mora, L.; Sidrach de Cardona, M.

2002-01-01

Electricity production from small solar photovoltaic systems in Spain obtains a premium pnce of 0,36 ε/kWh over the electricity market price or a fix price of 0,40 ε/kWh. The development of these small systems in Spain clearly demonstrates that the established prime is not sufficient in the majority of locations. On the other hand, the prime revision set up by the RD 2818/98, considering the profitability of the renewable installations, demand a regional analysis of small PV systems profitability necessary in Spain. The accomplished results permit to conclude that the amount of the current prime is by itself insufficient to make profitable the small grid-connected PV systems in anywhere of the national geography. To guarantee the profitability of these systems it should be necessary to place the fix price at around 0,93 ε/kWh. However, if the duplication of the current price obtained by these installations was considered, this could ensure the profitability of these small systems in at least the 77% of the land. (Author) 12 refs

Technical and economic analysis of grid-connected PV/Wind energy stations in the Republic of Serbia under varying climatic conditions

OpenAIRE

Bakić, Vukman V.; Pezo, Milada L.; Stojković, Saša M.

2016-01-01

In this paper technical and economic analysis of grid-connected PV/Wind energy systems located in the Republic of Serbia are presented. The technical and economic data, of the various grid-connected PV/Wind hybrid energy systems for three different locations: Novi Sad, Belgrade and Kopaonik, using the transient simulations software TRNSYS and HOMER were obtained. The results obtained in this paper show that locations and technical characteristics of the energy systems have an important influe...

Final Report Report: Smart Grid Ready PV Inverters with Utility Communication

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Seal, Brian [Electric Power Research Inst. (EPRI), Knovville, TN (United States); Huque, Aminul [Electric Power Research Inst. (EPRI), Knovville, TN (United States); Rogers, Lindsey [Electric Power Research Inst. (EPRI), Knovville, TN (United States); Key, Tom [Electric Power Research Inst. (EPRI), Knovville, TN (United States); Riley, Cameron [Electric Power Research Inst. (EPRI), Knovville, TN (United States); Li, Huijuan [Electric Power Research Inst. (EPRI), Knovville, TN (United States); York, Ben [Electric Power Research Inst. (EPRI), Knovville, TN (United States); Purcell, Chris [BPL Global, Inc., Canonsburg, PA (United States); Pacific, Oliver [Spirae, Inc., Fort Collins, CO (United States); Ropp, Michael [Northern Plains Power Technologies, Brookings, SD (United States); Tran, Teresa [DTE Energy, Detroit, MI (United States); Asgeirsson, Hawk [DTE Energy, Detroit, MI (United States); Woodard, Justin [National Grid, Warwick (United Kingdom); Steffel, Steve [Pepco Holdings, Inc., Washington, DC (United States)

2016-03-30

In 2011, EPRI began a four-year effort under the Department of Energy (DOE) SunShot Initiative Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems - Advanced Concepts (SEGIS-AC) to demonstrate smart grid ready inverters with utility communication. The objective of the project was to successfully implement and demonstrate effective utilization of inverters with grid support functionality to capture the full value of distributed photovoltaic (PV). The project leveraged ongoing investments and expanded PV inverter capabilities, to enable grid operators to better utilize these grid assets. Developing and implementing key elements of PV inverter grid support capabilities will increase the distribution system’s capacity for higher penetration levels of PV, while reducing the cost. The project team included EPRI, Yaskawa-Solectria Solar, Spirae, BPL Global, DTE Energy, National Grid, Pepco, EDD, NPPT and NREL. The project was divided into three phases: development, deployment, and demonstration. Within each phase, the key areas included: head-end communications for Distributed Energy Resources (DER) at the utility operations center; methods for coordinating DER with existing distribution equipment; back-end PV plant master controller; and inverters with smart-grid functionality. Four demonstration sites were chosen in three regions of the United States with different types of utility operating systems and implementations of utility-scale PV inverters. This report summarizes the project and findings from field demonstration at three utility sites.

Thermal Optimized Operation of the Single-Phase Full-Bridge PV Inverter under Low Voltage Ride-Through Mode

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Wang, Huai; Yang, Yongheng; Blaabjerg, Frede

2013-01-01

The efficiency of 98% has been reported on transformer-less photovoltaic (PV) inverters and the penetration of grid-connected PV systems is booming as well. In the future, the PV systems are expected to contribute to the grid stability by means of low voltage ride-through operation and grid suppo...

Aspects of a generic photovoltaic model examined under the German grid code for medium voltage

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Theologitis, Ioannis-Thomas; Troester, Eckehard; Ackermann, Thomas [Energynautics GmbH, Langen (Germany)

2011-07-01

The increasing peneration of photovoltaic power systems into the power grid has attached attention to the issue of ensuring the smooth absorbance of the solar energy, while securing the normal and steady operation of the grid as well. Nowadays, the PV systems must meet a number of technical requirements to address this issue. This paper investigates a generic grid-connected photovoltaic model that was developed by DIgSILENT and is part of the library in the new version of PowerFactory v.14.1 software that is used in this study. The model has a nominal rated peak power of 0.5 MVA and a designed power factor cos{phi}0.95. The study focuses on the description of the model, its control system and its ability to reflect important requirements that a grid-connected PV system should have by January 2011 according to the German grid code for medium voltage. The model undergoes various simulations. Static voltage support, active power control and dynamic voltage support - Fault Ride Through (FRT) is examined. The results show that the generic model is capable for active power reduction under over-frequency occasions and FRT behavior in cases of voltage dips. The reactive power control that is added in the model improves the control system and makes the model capable for static voltage support in sudden active power injection changes at the point of common coupling. Beside the simplifications and shortcomings of this generic model, basic requirements of the modern PV systems can be addressed. Further improvements could make it more complete and applicable for more detailed studies. (orig.)

Design and Analysis of Photovoltaic (PV) Power Plant at Different Locations in Malaysia

Science.gov (United States)

Islam, M. A.; Hasanuzzaman, M.; Rahim, N. A.

2018-05-01

Power generation from sun oriented vitality through a photovoltaic (PV) system is ended up prevalent over the world due to clean innovation. Geographical location of Malaysia is very favorable for PV power generation system. The Malaysian government has also taken different steps to increase the use of solar energy especially by emphasizing on building integrated PV (BIPV) system. Comparative study on the feasibility of BIPV installation at the different location of Malaysia is rarely found. On the other hand, solar cell temperature has a negative impact on the electricity generation. So in this study cost effectiveness and initial investment cost of building integrated grid connected solar PV power plant in different regions of Malaysia have been carried. The effect of PV solar cell temperature on the payback period (PBP) is also investigated. Highest PBP is 12.38 years at Selangor and lowest PBP is 9.70 years at Sabah (Kota Kinabalu). Solar cell temperature significantly increases the PBP of PV plant and highest 14.64% and lowest 13.20% raise of PBP are encountered at Penang and Sarawak respectively.

The Recent Change in the Italian Policies for Photovoltaics: Effects on the Energy Demand Coverage of Grid-Connected PV Systems Installed in Urban Contexts

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Aldo Orioli

2016-11-01

Full Text Available In July 2013, the Italian photovoltaic (PV support policies changed the feed-in tariff (FIT mechanism and turned to a tax credits program, which is currently in force. The aim of this paper is to investigate how such a radical change has influenced the electricity demand coverage of the PV systems installed in urban contexts. A methodology, which connects the economic assessment to a detailed architectural and energy suitability analysis, was applied to some case studies to analyse the relationships between the physical parameters related to multi-storey buildings (roof shapes, number of floors and area of flats and the most relevant economic and financial features affecting the viability of rooftop PV systems. The study, which considers only the electricity produced by the PV systems that are economically profitable, highlighted that the tax credits scheme is even more effective in covering the electrical consumption of densely urbanised Italian city districts. The results, which are significantly influenced by the latitude of the analysed districts, underline the opportunity for governments to adopt PV promoting policies that are more sensitive to the amount of solar energy available in the different regions of their national territory.

The PV market

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hammond, B.

1992-01-01

This paper forecasts the photovoltaic (PV) market growth for the 1990s. Ten years of PV history are reviewed and used to establish market trends in terms of average selling price (ASP) and kilowatts shipped by market segment. The market is segmented into indoor consumer, stand-alone, and grid-connected applications. Indoor consumer presently represents a saturated market and is fairly predictable. The stand-alone market (i.e. not connected to the utility grid) is fairly stable and predictable. The utility PV market however is highly dependent on a number of market factors such as the cost of conventional energy the cost of PV systems utility acceptance of PV and regulatory controls. Government and institutional regulations, environmental issues, and OPEC and Middle East politics will have the greatest impact on the cost of conventional fuels. Private and federal investment in PV technology development could have a significant impact on the cost of PV systems. Forecasts are provided through the year 2000 for indoor consumer stand-alone and utility markets

Design, fabrication and performance of a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) active solar still

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kumar, Shiv; Tiwari, Arvind

2010-01-01

Two solar stills (single slope passive and single slope photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) active solar still) were fabricated and tested at solar energy park, IIT New Delhi (India) for composite climate. Photovoltaic operated DC water pump was used between solar still and photovoltaic (PV) integrated flat plate collector to re-circulate the water through the collectors and transfer it to the solar still. The newly designed hybrid (PV/T) active solar still is self-sustainable and can be used in remote areas, need to transport distilled water from a distance and not connected to grid, but blessed with ample solar energy. Experiments were performed for 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15 m water depth, round the year 2006-2007 for both the stills. It has been observed that maximum daily yield of 2.26 kg and 7.22 kg were obtained from passive and hybrid active solar still, respectively at 0.05 m water depth. The daily yield from hybrid active solar still is around 3.2 and 5.5 times higher than the passive solar still in summer and winter month, respectively. The study has shown that this design of the hybrid active solar still also provides higher electrical and overall thermal efficiency, which is about 20% higher than the passive solar still.

Islanding detection technique using wavelet energy in grid-connected PV system

Science.gov (United States)

Kim, Il Song

2016-08-01

This paper proposes a new islanding detection method using wavelet energy in a grid-connected photovoltaic system. The method detects spectral changes in the higher-frequency components of the point of common coupling voltage and obtains wavelet coefficients by multilevel wavelet analysis. The autocorrelation of the wavelet coefficients can clearly identify islanding detection, even in the variations of the grid voltage harmonics during normal operating conditions. The advantage of the proposed method is that it can detect islanding condition the conventional under voltage/over voltage/under frequency/over frequency methods fail to detect. The theoretical method to obtain wavelet energies is evolved and verified by the experimental result.

Optimal Parameter Selection for Support Vector Machine Based on Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm: A Case Study of Grid-Connected PV System Power Prediction.

Science.gov (United States)

Gao, Xiang-Ming; Yang, Shi-Feng; Pan, San-Bo

2017-01-01

Predicting the output power of photovoltaic system with nonstationarity and randomness, an output power prediction model for grid-connected PV systems is proposed based on empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and support vector machine (SVM) optimized with an artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm. First, according to the weather forecast data sets on the prediction date, the time series data of output power on a similar day with 15-minute intervals are built. Second, the time series data of the output power are decomposed into a series of components, including some intrinsic mode components IMFn and a trend component Res, at different scales using EMD. The corresponding SVM prediction model is established for each IMF component and trend component, and the SVM model parameters are optimized with the artificial bee colony algorithm. Finally, the prediction results of each model are reconstructed, and the predicted values of the output power of the grid-connected PV system can be obtained. The prediction model is tested with actual data, and the results show that the power prediction model based on the EMD and ABC-SVM has a faster calculation speed and higher prediction accuracy than do the single SVM prediction model and the EMD-SVM prediction model without optimization.

Optimal Parameter Selection for Support Vector Machine Based on Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm: A Case Study of Grid-Connected PV System Power Prediction

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Xiang-ming Gao

2017-01-01

Full Text Available Predicting the output power of photovoltaic system with nonstationarity and randomness, an output power prediction model for grid-connected PV systems is proposed based on empirical mode decomposition (EMD and support vector machine (SVM optimized with an artificial bee colony (ABC algorithm. First, according to the weather forecast data sets on the prediction date, the time series data of output power on a similar day with 15-minute intervals are built. Second, the time series data of the output power are decomposed into a series of components, including some intrinsic mode components IMFn and a trend component Res, at different scales using EMD. The corresponding SVM prediction model is established for each IMF component and trend component, and the SVM model parameters are optimized with the artificial bee colony algorithm. Finally, the prediction results of each model are reconstructed, and the predicted values of the output power of the grid-connected PV system can be obtained. The prediction model is tested with actual data, and the results show that the power prediction model based on the EMD and ABC-SVM has a faster calculation speed and higher prediction accuracy than do the single SVM prediction model and the EMD-SVM prediction model without optimization.

Analysis of Photovoltaic Self-Consumption Systems

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Carlos J. Sarasa-Maestro

2016-08-01

Full Text Available Components and installation prices could make the self-consumption of solar photovoltaic (PV systems competitive. In this paper, we explore different self-consumption options, off-grid PV systems (with back-up generator and/or batteries, and grid-connected PV systems under net-metering policies. The calculation of the net present cost (NPC reveals that the grid-connected PV-only case (for the net-metering scheme is the most attractive from the technical and financial points of view, with a levelised cost of energy less than 0.1 €/kWh. Off-grid PV + Diesel + Batteries has a higher cost, around two or three times the grid-connected PV-only under net metering. Additionally, the off-grid PV + Diesel is less attractive from a financial point of view, which has a cost of around 10 times the PV-only under net metering. In addition, the values of life cycle CO2 emissions in each of the cases studied have been compared, and we have concluded that although the off-grid PV + Diesel + Batteries system presents lower CO2 emissions than the PV-only system, the existence of batteries does not allow one to affirm that the PV + Diesel + Batteries system is the best from an environmental point of view.

Economic performance of grid-connected photovoltaics in California and Texas (United States): The influence of renewable energy and climate policies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sivaraman, Deepak; Moore, Michael R.

2012-01-01

Various public policies in the United States are providing financial incentives for installation and generation of electricity from renewable resources. This article examines the influence of investment subsidies, greenhouse gas (GHG) prices, and renewable energy credit (REC) prices on the economic performance of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems. Our model integrates PV output, capacity-factor-based dispatch, and cost-benefit financial components to evaluate new PV installations in California and Texas. Relative to the base case, the benefit–cost ratio increases between 5–53% in California and 5–38% in Texas for the policy-derived cases of GHG and REC prices. The economic performance of PV is higher in California due to higher grid electricity prices and the profile of displaced marginal fuels. A sensitivity analysis demonstrates the electricity and GHG prices required to achieve profitability. A key element of the economic analysis demonstrates the importance of assessing the marginal fuels displaced by the PV system, not the average mix of displaced fuels, in terms of accurately monetizing the GHG abatement embodied in the displaced fuels. In California, for example, the discounted benefits derived from pollution abatement under the marginal displacement approach were 1.6–3.0 times higher than under the three average fuel mix cases. - Highlight: ► The effect of public policies on the economic performance of PV systems is analyzed. ► A PV output model, a dispatch model, and a cost-benefit model are integrated. ► The PV installations generally do not achieve positive profitability. ► A sensitivity analysis demonstrates the prices required to achieve profitability. ► The marginal fuels displaced by the PV system, not the average fuels, are relevant.

Photovoltaic electricity production of a grid-connected urban house in Serbia

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bojic, Milorad; Blagojevic, Mirko

2006-01-01

A technically attractive solution for sustainable present and future is to integrate photovoltaic (PV) panels into building fabric of urban houses as an alternative to grid electricity, however, in Serbia this technology is rarely applied. To contribute to sustainability and create success conditions for renewable energy sources (RES) applications due its wish to join EU, Serbian government currently integrated RES into its new energy policy framework. In the near future in the separate law, the government will identify financial conditions to apply this policy and start RES use. To adequately inform this law, we calculated the electricity revenue during entire life of a two-floor house in Belgrade, Serbia and investment in PV panels (currently available on Serbian market) integrated in its entire envelope. It was discussed what are the current degree of economic viability of this solution and suggested level of state subventions needed to support the solar electricity production either by feed-in tariffs or other financial instruments

Dynamics of voltage source converter in a grid connected solar photovoltaic system

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Haribabu, Divyanagalakshmi; Vangari, Adithya; Sakamuri, Jayachandra N.

2015-01-01

This paper emphasises the modelling and control of a voltage source converter (VSC) for three phase grid connected PV system. The transfer functions for inner current control and outer DC link voltage control for VSC are derived. The controllers for VSC are designed based on PI and K factor contr...

Isolated high-efficiency grid-connected de-central inverter for photovoltaic modules

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Vermulst, B.J.D.

2012-01-01

While an increasing number of photovoltaic (PV) systems is installed, those systems typically use central inverters. In practical cases, output-power differences between PV modules will cause these central-inverter-based systems not to achieve Maximum Power Point (MPP) for each PV module.

A Grid Connected Transformerless Inverter and its Model Predictive Control Strategy with Leakage Current Elimination Capability

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

J. Fallah Ardashir

2017-06-01

Full Text Available This paper proposes a new single phase transformerless Photovoltaic (PV inverter for grid connected systems. It consists of six power switches, two diodes, one capacitor and filter at the output stage. The neutral of the grid is directly connected to the negative terminal of the source. This results in constant common mode voltage and zero leakage current. Model Predictive Controller (MPC technique is used to modulate the converter to reduce the output current ripple and filter requirements. The main advantages of this inverter are compact size, low cost, flexible grounding configuration. Due to brevity, the operating principle and analysis of the proposed circuit are presented in brief. Simulation and experimental results of 200W prototype are shown at the end to validate the proposed topology and concept. The results obtained clearly verifies the performance of the proposed inverter and its practical application for grid connected PV systems.

Grid Support in Large Scale PV Power Plants using Active Power Reserves

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Craciun, Bogdan-Ionut

to validate the performance of the frequency support functions, a flexible grid model with IEEE 12 bus system characteristics has been developed and implemented in RTDS. A power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) system composed by 20 kW plant (2 x 10 kW inverters and PV linear simulator) and grid simulator (RTDS......Photovoltaic (PV) systems are in the 3rd place in the renewable energy market, after hydro and wind power. The increased penetration of PV within the electrical power system has led to stability issues of the entire grid in terms of its reliability, availability and security of the supply....... As a consequence, Large scale PV Power Plants (LPVPPs) operating in Maximum Power Point (MPP) are not supporting the electrical network, since several grid triggering events or the increased number of downward regulation procedures have forced European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity...

Analysis and Design of Solar Photo voltaic Grid Connected Inverter

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Muddasani Satyanarayana

2015-08-01

Full Text Available This paper presents common mode voltage analysis of single phase grid connected photovoltaic inverter. Many researchers proposed different grid tie inverters for applications like domestic powering, street lighting, water pumping, cooling and heating applications, however traditional grid tie PV inverter uses either a line frequency or a high frequency transformer between the inverter and grid but losses will increase in the network leading to reduced efficiency of the system. In order to increase the efficiency, with reduced size and cost of the system, the effective solution is to remove the isolation transformer. But common mode (CM ground leakage current due to parasitic capacitance between the PV panels and the ground making the system unreliable. The common mode current reduces the efficiency of power conversion stage, affects the quality of grid current, deteriorate the electric magnetic compatibility and give rise to the safety threats. In order to eliminate the common mode leakage current in Transformerless PV systm two control algorithms of multi-carrier pwm are implemented and compared for performance analysis.The shoot-through issue that is encountered by traditional voltage source inverter is analyzed for enhanced system reliability. These control algorithms are compared for common mode voltage and THD comparisons. The proposed system is designed using MATLAB/SIMULINK software for analysis.

Photovoltaic system connected to electric grid in Brazil; Sistemas fotovoltaicos conectados a rede eletrica no Brasil

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Varella, Fabiana Karla de Oliveira Martins [Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Arido (UFERSA), Mossoro, RN (Brazil)], email: fkv@ufersa.edu.br; Gomes, Rodolfo Dourado Maia; Jannuzzi, Gilberto De Martino [International Energy Initiative (IEI), Campinas, SP (Brazil)], email: rodolfo@iei-la.org

2010-07-01

Brazil has in the next decades the big challenge of seeking for solutions to meet its growing energy service needs and, at the same time, satisfy criteria of economics, security of supply, public health, secure universal energy access and environmental sustainability. The growing environmental pressures over the hydropower potential exploitation at the Amazon region and the energy sources even more distant from the customer load center are some of the aspects which are posed in order to seek for solutions. Several countries are betting on grid-connected PV systems. In Brazil, the initiatives to promote the use of PV energy are still a few. Even though the country is endowed with a great solar energy potential, the initiatives to create and consolidate a market for the use of such technology and to develop the national industry for equipment and services are still incipient. The lack of legislation and regulation is one of the barriers pointed out. Thus, the objective of this report is to assess the reasons why the country does not have a specific legislation to promote the use of grid-connected PV systems. For such, grid-connected PV systems installed in Brazil and the existent incentives are identified. The methodology used was based on literature review and conduction of specific questionnaires. The latter was sent to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, researchers and one power distribution company. (author)

Large Scale Solar Power Integration in Distribution Grids : PV Modelling, Voltage Support and Aggregation Studies

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Samadi, A.

2014-01-01

Long term supporting schemes for photovoltaic (PV) system installation have led to accommodating large numbers of PV systems within load pockets in distribution grids. High penetrations of PV systems can cause new technical challenges, such as voltage rise due to reverse power flow during light load

A software application for energy flow simulation of a grid connected photovoltaic system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hamad, Ayman A.; Alsaad, Mohammad A.

2010-01-01

A computer software application was developed to simulate hourly energy flow of a grid connected photovoltaic system. This software application enables conducting an operational evaluation of a studied photovoltaic system in terms of energy exchange with the electrical grid. The system model consists of a photovoltaic array, a converter and an optional generic energy storage component that supports scheduled charging/discharging. In addition to system design parameters, the software uses hourly solar data and hourly load data to determine the amount of energy exchanged with electrical grid for each hour of the simulated year. The resulting information is useful in assessing the impact of the system on demand for electrical energy of a building that uses it. The software also aggregates these hourly results in daily, monthly and full year sums. The software finds the financial benefit of the system as the difference in grid electrical energy cost between two simultaneously considered cases. One is with load supplied only by the electrical grid, while the other is with the photovoltaic system present and contributing energy. The software supports the energy pricing scheme used in Jordan for domestic consumers, which is based on slices of monthly consumption. By projecting the yearly financial results on the system lifetime, the application weighs the financial benefit resulting from using the system against its cost, thus facilitating an economical evaluation.

On the design of product integrated photovoltaic systems

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Reich, N.H.

2010-01-01

With photovoltaic (PV) systems it is possible to create electricity generation systems for a wide range of purposes, of literally any size (microwatts to gigawatts). Solar cells deployed in large scale, grid-connected PV systems may energize millions of electric appliances connected by a utility

Augmented Nonlinear Controller for Maximum Power-Point Tracking with Artificial Neural Network in Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Suliang Ma

2016-11-01

Full Text Available Photovoltaic (PV systems have non-linear characteristics that generate maximum power at one particular operating point. Environmental factors such as irradiance and temperature variations greatly affect the maximum power point (MPP. Diverse offline and online techniques have been introduced for tracking the MPP. Here, to track the MPP, an augmented-state feedback linearized (AFL non-linear controller combined with an artificial neural network (ANN is proposed. This approach linearizes the non-linear characteristics in PV systems and DC/DC converters, for tracking and optimizing the PV system operation. It also reduces the dependency of the designed controller on linearized models, to provide global stability. A complete model of the PV system is simulated. The existing maximum power-point tracking (MPPT and DC/DC boost-converter controller techniques are compared with the proposed ANN method. Two case studies, which simulate realistic circumstances, are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method. The AFL with ANN controller can provide good dynamic operation, faster convergence speed, and fewer operating-point oscillations around the MPP. It also tracks the global maxima under different conditions, especially irradiance-mutating situations, more effectively than the conventional methods. Detailed mathematical models and a control approach for a three-phase grid-connected intelligent hybrid system are proposed using MATLAB/Simulink.

A Novel Model Predictive Control for Single-Phase Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Inverters

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Zangeneh Bighash, Esmaeil; Sadeghzadeh, Seyed Mohammad; Ebrahimzadeh, Esmaeil

2017-01-01

Single-phase grid-connected inverters with LCL filter are widely used to connect photovoltaic systems to the utility grid. Among the existing control schemes, predictive control methods are faster and more accurate but also more complicated to implement. Recently, the Model Predictive Control (MPC......) algorithm for single-phase inverter has been presented, where the algorithm implementation is straightforward. In the MPC approach, all switching states are considered in each switching period to achieve the control objectives. However, since the number of switching states in single-phase inverters is small......, the inverter output current has a high Total Harmonic Distortions (THD). In order to reduce this, this paper presents an improved MPC for single-phase grid-connected inverters. In the proposed approach, the switching algorithm is changed and the number of the switching states is increased by means of virtual...

Modeling and optimization of batteryless hybrid PV (photovoltaic)/Diesel systems for off-grid applications

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tsuanyo, David; Azoumah, Yao; Aussel, Didier; Neveu, Pierre

2015-01-01

This paper presents a new model and optimization procedure for off-grid hybrid PV (photovoltaic)/Diesel systems operating without battery storage. The proposed technico-economic model takes into account the variability of both the solar irradiation and the electrical loads. It allows optimizing the design and the operation of the hybrid systems by searching their lowest LCOE (Levelized Cost of Electricity). Two cases have been investigated: identical Diesel generators and Diesel generators with different sizes, and both are compared to conventional standalone Diesel generator systems. For the same load profile, the optimization results show that the LCOE of the optimized batteryless hybrid solar PV/Diesel (0.289 €/kWh for the hybrid system with identical Diesel generators and 0.284 €/kWh for the hybrid system with different sizes of Diesel generators) is lower than the LCOE obtained with standalone Diesel generators (0.32 €/kWh for the both cases). The obtained results are then confirmed by HOMER (Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables) software. - Highlights: • A technico-economic model for optimal design and operation management of batteryless hybrid systems is developed. • The model allows optimizing design and operation of hybrid systems by ensuring their lowest LCOE. • The model was validated by HOMER. • Batteryless hybrid system are suitable for off-grid applications

A report on the performance of a grid connected photovoltaic power generation system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mohd Azhar Abdul Rahman; Mohd Surif Abdul Wahab; Azmi Omar

2000-01-01

Malaysia is located almost on the equator and is blessed with an abundance of sunlight almost all year round. So obviously, with the right planning and strategies that are coupled to the right technology and development in the market, the potential for photovoltaic system as an alternative source of power in this country looks promising and is constantly gaining ground and popularity. Sunlight is free and the photovoltaic system is also emission and pollution free which is a guest boost to the current worldwide effort to reduce the global environmental problems. Utility giant Tenaga Nasional Berhad is in line with the Government aspiration to promote the development of solar photovoltaic in the country, who believe in the success and acceptance potential of the photovoltaic system as an alternative source of power generation for long term energy option. In March 1998, a contract was awarded by Tenaga Nasional Berhad to its research subsidiary, Tenaga Nasional Research and Development Sdn. Bhd. to undertake a pilot research project on the development of a grid connected photovoltaic system. This research project is co-funded by the Electric Supply Industry Trust fund. One of the main objective of this research project is to seek the best approach to popularize the Grid Connected Photovoltaic System for domestic as well as suitable commercial premises in this country. This paper will report the initial findings of the project in terms of technical capability and commercial liability. (Author)

Design and economical analysis of hybrid PV-wind systems connected to the grid for the intermittent production of hydrogen

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dufo-Lopez, Rodolfo; Bernal-Agustin, Jose L.; Mendoza, Franklin

2009-01-01

In this paper, several designs of hybrid PV-wind (photovoltaic-wind) systems connected to the electrical grid, including the intermittent production of hydrogen, are shown. The objective considered in the design is economical to maximise the net present value (NPV) of the system. A control strategy has been applied so that hydrogen is only produced by the electrolyser when there is an excess of electrical energy that cannot be exported to the grid (intermittent production of hydrogen). Several optimisation studies based on different scenarios have been carried out. After studying the results - for systems with which the produced hydrogen would be sold for external consumption - it can be stated that the selling price of hydrogen should be about 10 Euro /kg in areas with strong wind, in order to get economically viable systems. For the hydrogen-producing systems in which hydrogen is produced when there is an excess of electricity and then stored and later used in a fuel cell to produce electricity to be sold to the grid, even in areas with high wind speed rate, the price of electrical energy produced by the fuel cell should be very high for the system to be profitable.

Photovoltaic electricity industry and markets Status and trends in France 1992-2002 - Technical report. Survey report of photovoltaic power applications in France 2002

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Claverie, Andre; Juquois, Fabrice

2003-01-01

The report provides a picture of the photovoltaic industry and its applications in France covering the years 1992 to end 2002. The main stream of photovoltaic (PV) activity in France is that of off-grid power systems. Nevertheless, the ADEME and other public authority partners decided in 1999 to contribute to the funding of grid-connected distributed photovoltaic power systems. During the year 2002, 3,4 MW of photovoltaic power systems were installed in France and its overseas departments. The annual off-grid PV power system market remains stable at around 2,4 MW per year and that of grid-connected distributed power systems reached almost 1 MW in 2002. The total cumulative installed PV power in France is 17 MW of which 15 MW are off-grid systems and 2 MW are grid-connected distributed PV power systems. This installed capacity represents the annual production of 15 GWh of electricity. The PV cell/module industry remains very active. The annual production of photovoltaic multi-crystalline silicon cells increased by 25 % during the year 2002 to reach 17 MW while the production of amorphous silicon thin film modules increased slightly to go over half a megawatt. Two French companies started introducing on the market photovoltaic modules specifically designed for building integration. Price of photovoltaic power systems is decreasing towards 20 euros per watt for off-grid systems under public funding and turnkey prices for grid-connected distributed PV power systems vary from 6 to 8 euros per watt according to the level of building integration. Business turnover of main companies covering the whole field of cell/module manufacturing and PV power system developers/installers, increased 18 % in 2002 to reach 130 million euros. Due to a Governmental decision taken in 1998, the ADEME increased its annual public budget for the promotion of PV in France to reach around 10 MEUR per year. This new measure allowed a) to reactivate the ADEME's research and technological

Photovoltaic energy in power market

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Ho, D.T.; Frunt, J.; Myrzik, J.M.A.

2009-01-01

Photovoltaic (PV) penetration in the grid connected power system has been growing. Currently, PV electricity is usually directly sold back to the energy supplier at a fixed price and subsidy. However, subsidies should always be a temporary policy, and will eventually be terminated. A question is

A feasibility study of stationary and dual-axis tracking grid-connected photovoltaic systems in the Upper Midwest

Science.gov (United States)

Warren, Ryan Duwain

Three primary objectives were defined for this work. The first objective was to determine, assess, and compare the performance, heat transfer characteristics, economics, and feasibility of real-world stationary and dual-axis tracking grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems in the Upper Midwest. This objective was achieved by installing two grid-connected PV systems with different mounting schemes in central Iowa, implementing extensive data acquisition systems, monitoring operation of the PV systems for one full year, and performing detailed experimental performance and economic studies. The two PV systems that were installed, monitored, and analyzed included a 4.59 kWp roof-mounted stationary system oriented for maximum annual energy production, and a 1.02 kWp pole-mounted actively controlled dual-axis tracking system. The second objective was to demonstrate the actual use and performance of real-world stationary and dual-axis tracking grid-connected PV systems used for building energy generation applications. This objective was achieved by offering the installed PV systems to the public for demonstration purposes and through the development of three computer-based tools: a software interface that has the ability to display real-time and historical performance and meteorological data of both systems side-by-side, a software interface that shows real-time and historical video and photographs of each system, and a calculator that can predict performance and economics of stationary and dual-axis tracking grid-connected PV systems at various locations in the United States. The final objective was to disseminate this work to social, professional, scientific, and academic communities in a way that is applicable, objective, accurate, accessible, and comprehensible. This final objective will be addressed by publishing the results of this work and making the computer-based tools available on a public website (www.energy.iastate.edu/Renewable/solar). Detailed experimental

Performance evaluation of an off-grid photovoltaic system in Saudi Arabia

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rehman, Shafiqur; El-Amin, Ibrahim

2012-01-01

The paper presents the performance evaluation analysis of a 5.28 kW installed capacity isolated grid photovoltaic power plant installed at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran Saudi Arabia in June 2010. The plant was equipped with temperature, solar radiation intensity, and PV (Photovoltaic) panel power output recording sensors for performance evaluation of the plant. The analysis presented the effect of PV surface temperature and dust collected on the panels on the power output of individual arrays and total power from complete plant. Furthermore, the PV panel performance was studied by DC (Direct current) performance ratio variation with PV panel backside surface temperature. Hourly mean energy yield was found to be decreasing with increasing PV panel surface temperature during the months of July and August 2010. The daily energy yield showed a decreasing trend with days of the month which could be accounted for dust accumulation on the PV panel surface. The DC performance ratio also showed a decreasing trend with increasing PV panel surface temperature. -- Highlights: ► The study presents the effect of local weather conditions on the performance of a 5.28 kW isolated grid photovoltaic system. ► Local weather conditions effect was studied based on energy yield on diurnal and daily basis DC performance ratio. ► Hourly mean energy yield was found to be decreasing with increasing PV panel surface temperature. ► Daily energy yield decreased with days which could be accounted for dust accumulation on the PV panel surface. ► The DC performance ratio also showed a decreasing trend with increasing PV panel surface temperature.

Accurate and Less-Disturbing Active Anti-Islanding Method based on PLL for Grid-Connected PV Inverters

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Ciobotaru, Mihai; Agelidis, Vassilios; Teodorescu, Remus

2008-01-01

Islanding prediction is a necessary feature of inverter-based photovoltaic (PV) system in order to meet stringent standard requirements for interconnection with the electrical grid. Both passive and active anti-islanding methods exist. Typically, active methods modify a given parameter, which also...... extracted from the voltage at PCC moves outside of a preset threshold value. This new active anti-islanding method meets both standard requirements IEEE 929-2000, IEEE 1547.1 and VDE 0126.1.1. The disturbance used by this method is small compared to other active anti-islanding methods, such as active...

Photovoltaic systems engineering

CERN Document Server

Messenger, Roger A

2010-01-01

BackgroundPopulation and Energy DemandEnergy UnitsCurrent World Energy Use PatternsExponential GrowthHubbert's Gaussian ModelNet Energy, Btu Economics, and the Test for SustainabilityDirect Conversion of Sunlight to Electricity with PhotovoltaicsThe SunThe Solar SpectrumThe Effect of Atmosphere on SunlightSunlight SpecificsCapturing SunlightIntroduction to PV SystemsThe PV CellThe PV ModuleThe PV ArrayEnergy StoragePV System LoadsPV System AvailabilityAssociated System Electronic ComponentsGeneratorsBalance of System (BOS) ComponentsGrid-Connected Utility-Interactive PV SystemsApplicable Codes and StandardsDesign Considerations for Straight Grid-Connected PV SystemsDesign of a System Based on Desired Annual System PerformanceDesign of a System Based on Available Roof SpaceDesign of a Microinverter-Based SystemDesign of a Nominal 21 kW System that Feeds a Three-Phase Distribution PanelDesign of a Nominal 250 kW SystemSystem Performance MonitoringMechanical ConsiderationsImportant Properties of MaterialsEstabli...

Eliminating Ground Current in a Transformerless Photovoltaic Application

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Lopez, Ocar; Freijedo, Francisco D.; Yepes, Alejandro G.

2010-01-01

For low-power grid-connected applications, a singlephase converter can be used. In photovoltaic (PV) applications, it is possible to remove the transformer in the inverter to reduce losses, costs, and size. Galvanic connection of the grid and the dc sources in transformerless systems can introduce...

Industry consultation on grid connection of small PV systems

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Knight, J.; Thorneycroft, J.; Cotterell, M.; Gambro, S.

2000-07-01

This report presents the results of consultation within the PV industry and the electricity supply industry concerning guidelines for the connection of small PV systems to the electricity network. (author)

Design of a Glenn Research Center Solar Field Grid-Tied Photovoltaic Power System

Science.gov (United States)

Eichenberg, Dennis J.

2009-01-01

The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) designed, developed, and installed, a 37.5 kW DC photovoltaic (PV) Solar Field in the GRC West Area in the 1970s for the purpose of testing PV panels for various space and terrestrial applications. The PV panels are arranged to provide a nominal 120 VDC. The GRC Solar Field has been extremely successful in meeting its mission. The PV panels and the supporting electrical systems are all near their end of life. GRC has designed a 72 kW DC grid-tied PV power system to replace the existing GRC West Area Solar Field. The 72 kW DC grid-tied PV power system will provide DC solar power for GRC PV testing applications, and provide AC facility power for all times that research power is not required. A grid-tied system is connected directly to the utility distribution grid. Facility power can be obtained from the utility system as normal. The PV system is synchronized with the utility system to provide power for the facility, and excess power is provided to the utility for use by all. The project transfers space technology to terrestrial use via nontraditional partners. GRC personnel glean valuable experience with PV power systems that are directly applicable to various space power systems, and provide valuable space program test data. PV power systems help to reduce harmful emissions and reduce the Nation s dependence on fossil fuels. Power generated by the PV system reduces the GRC utility demand, and the surplus power aids the community. Present global energy concerns reinforce the need for the development of alternative energy systems. Modern PV panels are readily available, reliable, efficient, and economical with a life expectancy of at least 25 years. Modern electronics has been the enabling technology behind grid-tied power systems, making them safe, reliable, efficient, and economical with a life expectancy of at least 25 years. The report concludes that the GRC West Area grid-tied PV power system design is viable for a reliable

System modelling and energy management for grid connected PV systems associated with storage

OpenAIRE

Riffonneau , Yann; DELAILLE , Arnaud; Barruel , Franck; Bacha , Seddik

2008-01-01

International audience; This paper presents the modelling and energy management of a grid connected PV system associatedwith storage. Within the economic, energetic and environmental context, objective of the system is to ensure loadssupply at the least cost by optimising the use of solar power. Therefore, due to the complicated operating patterns, anenergy management system which decides on energy flow for any moment is necessary. First, we present the systemstudied. Based on an AC bus typol...

The effects on grid matching and ramping requirements, of single and distributed PV systems employing various fixed and sun-tracking technologies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Solomon, A.A.; Faiman, D.; Meron, G.

2010-01-01

In this second paper, which studies the hourly generation data from the Israel Electric Corporation for the year 2006, with a view to adding very large-scale photovoltaic power (VLS-PV) plants, three major extensions are made to the results reported in our first paper. In the first extension, PV system simulations are extended to include the cases of 1- and 2-axis sun-tracking, and 2-axis concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) technologies. Secondly, the effect of distributing VLS-PV plants among 8 Negev locations, for which hourly metrological data exist, is studied. Thirdly, in addition to studying the effect of VLS-PV on grid penetration, the present paper studies its effect on grid ramping requirements. The principal results are as follows: (i) sun-tracking improves grid matching at high but not low levels of grid flexibility; (ii) geographical distribution has little effect on grid penetration; (iii) VLS-PV significantly increases grid ramping requirements, particularly for CPV systems, but not beyond existing ramping capabilities; (iv) geographical distribution considerably ameliorates this effect.

A general algorithm for flexible active power control of photovoltaic systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Tafti, H. Dehghani; Sangwongwanich, A.; Yang, Y.

2018-01-01

The maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is generally implemented in grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power plants to maximize the energy yield. However, as the penetration level increases, challenging issues such as overloading and over-voltage arise in PV applications. Accordingly, a constant po...... dynamics and low-power oscillations can be obtained. The performance of the proposed strategy is evaluated through simulations and experiments under different irradiance and power reference profiles.......The maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is generally implemented in grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power plants to maximize the energy yield. However, as the penetration level increases, challenging issues such as overloading and over-voltage arise in PV applications. Accordingly, a constant...... power generation (CPG) operation, in which the PV output power is limited to a specific value, has been imposed by some grid regulators to alleviate the integration challenges. In that case, the combined operation of MPPT and CPG is required, which increases the complexity of the controller design...

Intelligent voltage control in a DC micro-grid containing PV generation and energy storage

OpenAIRE

Rouzbehi, Kumars; Miranian, Arash; Candela García, José Ignacio; Luna Alloza, Álvaro; Rodríguez Cortés, Pedro

2014-01-01

This paper proposes an intelligent control scheme for DC voltage regulationin a DC micro-grid integrating photovoltaic (PV) generation, energy storage and electric loads. The maximum power generation of the PV panel is followed using the incremental conductance (IC) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm while a high-performance local linear controller (LLC)is developed for the DC voltage control in the micro-grid.The LLC, as a data-driven control strategy, controls the bidirectional c...

A novel off-grid hybrid power system comprised of solar photovoltaic, wind, and hydro energy sources

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bhandari, Binayak; Lee, Kyung-Tae; Lee, Caroline Sunyong; Song, Chul-Ki; Maskey, Ramesh K.; Ahn, Sung-Hoon

2014-01-01

Highlights: • We propose two hybridization methods for small off-grid power systems consisting solar (PV), wind, and micro-hydro sources. • One of the methods was implemented in a mini-grid connecting Thingan and Kolkhop villages in Makawanpur District, Nepal. • The results can be applied to help achieve Millennium Development Goal 7: Ensuring environmental sustainability. • This is the first implementation anywhere comprising of three renewable energy power, in a single off-grid power system. • This research may be applied as a practical guide for implementing similar systems in various locations. - Abstract: Several factors must be considered before adopting a full-phase power generation system based on renewable energy sources. Long-term necessary data (for one year if possible) should be collected before making any decisions concerning implementation of such a systems. To accurately assess the potential of available resources, we measured solar irradiation, wind speed, and ambient temperature at two high-altitude locations in Nepal: the Lama Hotel in Rasuwa District and Thingan in Makawanpur District. Here, we propose two practical, economical hybridization methods for small off-grid systems consisting entirely of renewable energy sources—specifically solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, and micro-hydro sources. One of the methods was tested experimentally, and the results can be applied to help achieve Millennium Development Goal 7: Ensuring environmental sustainability. Hydro, wind, and solar photovoltaic energy are the top renewable energy sources in terms of globally installed capacity. However, no reports have been published about off-grid hybrid systems comprised of all three sources, making this implementation the first of its kind anywhere. This research may be applied as a practical guide for implementing similar systems in various locations. Of the four off-grid PV systems installed by the authors for village electrification in Nepal, one was

Applied photovoltaics as a practical education in renewable energy technologies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stoev, Mitko

2009-01-01

The optional course „Applied Photovoltaic” for MEng students specializing in Electronics at the Faculty of Electronics and Automation, TU-Plovdiv is presented. The main topics of the advanced PV course as a modern sustainable energetic based on the photovoltaic effect and energy from Sun as a renewable energy source; materials and technologies in photovoltaic; design of solar cells and PV modules and PV generators up to 100 kWp; BIPV and CIPV systems; hybrid PV systems; PV mounting; monitoring of PV systems and EC regulations for PV systems connected to the utility grid are discussed. The advanced teaching method by online e-platform with virtual resources is presented. Key words: PV education, PV technologies, applied photovoltaic, e-platform

Interband cascade (IC) photovoltaic (PV) architecture for PV devices

Science.gov (United States)

Yang, Rui Q.; Tian, Zhaobing; Mishima, Tetsuya D.; Santos, Michael B.; Johnson, Matthew B.; Klem, John F.

2015-10-20

A photovoltaic (PV) device, comprising a PV interband cascade (IC) stage, wherein the IC PV stage comprises an absorption region with a band gap, the absorption region configured to absorb photons, an intraband transport region configured to act as a hole barrier, and an interband tunneling region configured to act as an electron barrier. An IC PV architecture for a photovoltaic device, the IC PV architecture comprising an absorption region, an intraband transport region coupled to the absorption region, and an interband tunneling region coupled to the intraband transport region and to the adjacent absorption region, wherein the absorption region, the intraband transport region, and the interband tunneling region are positioned such that electrons will flow from the absorption region to the intraband transport region to the interband tunneling region.

Profitability analysis of grid-connected photovoltaic facilities for household electricity self-sufficiency

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Colmenar-Santos, Antonio; Campíñez-Romero, Severo; Pérez-Molina, Clara; Castro-Gil, Manuel

2012-01-01

Spain exhibits a high level of energy dependence and has significant solar energy resources. These two facts have given rise to the prominence that renewable energy, particularly solar photovoltaic technology, has enjoyed in recent years, supported by a favorable regulatory framework. Currently, the Spanish Government is providing new ways in energy policy to enhance and accelerate the development of low-power photovoltaic generation facilities for self-consumption by introducing energy policies for feed-in payments of surplus electricity. Such facilities are an example of distributed electrical generation with important benefits for the environment and the rest of the electrical system because, when properly managed, they can help improve the system’s stability and reduce overall losses. By analyzing household demand and solar photovoltaic energy resources, the profitability of such facilities is considered in this article, taking into account the technical and economic impact of storage systems and proposing models for feed-in payments of surplus electricity, in an attempt to assess whether this method of electricity generation versus the method of conventionally supplied power from a grid at a regulated tariff can rival each other economically, in terms of parity. - Highlight: ► The use of grid-connected photovoltaic facilities for household electricity self-sufficiency is presented. ► The need for legal frameworks that include retributive mechanisms for the surplus energy is pointed out. ► Two models are proposed for the remuneration of surplus energy generated. ► Models show economic profitability without feed-in-tariff or compensations. ► Facilities described offer ancillary services for grid stability and smart-grid integration.

Sustainable recycling technologies for Solar PV off-grid system

Science.gov (United States)

Uppal, Bhavesh; Tamboli, Adish; Wubhayavedantapuram, Nandan

2017-11-01

Policy makers throughout the world have accepted climate change as a repercussion of fossil fuel exploitation. This has led the governments to integrate renewable energy streams in their national energy mix. PV off-grid Systems have been at the forefront of this transition because of their permanently increasing efficiency and cost effectiveness. These systems are expected to produce large amount of different waste streams at the end of their lifetime. It is important that these waste streams should be recycled because of the lack of available resources. Our study found that separate researches have been carried out to increase the efficiencies of recycling of individual PV system components but there is a lack of a comprehensive methodical research which details efficient and sustainable recycling processes for the entire PV off-grid system. This paper reviews the current and future recycling technologies for PV off-grid systems and presents a scheme of the most sustainable recycling technologies which have the potential for adoption. Full Recovery End-of-Life Photovoltaic (FRELP) recycling technology can offer opportunities to sustainably recycle crystalline silicon PV modules. Electro-hydrometallurgical process & Vacuum technologies can be used for recovering lead from lead acid batteries with a high recovery rate. The metals in the WEEE can be recycled by using a combination of biometallurgical technology, vacuum metallurgical technology and other advanced metallurgical technologies (utrasonical, mechano-chemical technology) while the plastic components can be effectively recycled without separation by using compatibilizers. All these advanced technologies when used in combination with each other provide sustainable recycling options for growing PV off-grid systems waste. These promising technologies still need further improvement and require proper integration techniques before implementation.

Estimation of Maximum Allowable PV Connection to LV Residential Power Networks

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Demirok, Erhan; Sera, Dezso; Teodorescu, Remus

2011-01-01

Maximum photovoltaic (PV) hosting capacity of low voltage (LV) power networks is mainly restricted by either thermal limits of network components or grid voltage quality resulted from high penetration of distributed PV systems. This maximum hosting capacity may be lower than the available solar...... potential of geographic area due to power network limitations even though all rooftops are fully occupied with PV modules. Therefore, it becomes more of an issue to know what exactly limits higher PV penetration level and which solutions should be engaged efficiently such as over sizing distribution...

Power electronics and control techniques for maximum energy harvesting in photovoltaic systems

CERN Document Server

Femia, Nicola

2012-01-01

Incentives provided by European governments have resulted in the rapid growth of the photovoltaic (PV) market. Many PV modules are now commercially available, and there are a number of power electronic systems for processing the electrical power produced by PV systems, especially for grid-connected applications. Filling a gap in the literature, Power Electronics and Control Techniques for Maximum Energy Harvesting in Photovoltaic Systems brings together research on control circuits, systems, and techniques dedicated to the maximization of the electrical power produced by a photovoltaic (PV) so

Inverter sizing of grid-connected photovoltaic systems in the light of local solar resource distribution characteristics and temperature

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Burger, Bruno [Fraunhofer-Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, Department of Electrical Energy Systems, Heidenhofstr. 2, 79110 Freiburg (Germany); Ruether, Ricardo [LABSOLAR-Laboratorio de Energia Solar, LabEEE-Laboratorio de Eficiencia Energetica em Edificacoes, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina/UFSC, Caixa Postal 476, Florianopolis-SC 88040-900 (Brazil)

2006-01-15

Inverter sizing strategies for grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems often do not take into account site-dependent peculiarities of ambient temperature, inverter operating temperature and solar irradiation distribution characteristics. The operating temperature affects PV modules and inverters in different ways and PV systems will hardly ever have a DC output equal to or above their STC-rated nominal power. Inverters are usually sized with a nominal AC output power some 30% (sometimes even more) below the PV array nominal power. In this paper, we show that this practice might lead to considerable energy losses, especially in the case of PV technologies with high temperature coefficients of power operating at sites with cold climates and of PV technologies with low temperature coefficients of power operating at sites with warm climates and an energy distribution of sunlight shifted to higher irradiation levels. In energy markets where PV kWh are paid premium tariffs, like in Germany, energy yield optimization might result in a favorable payback of the extra capital invested in a larger inverter. This paper discusses how the time resolution of solar radiation data influences the correct sizing of PV plants. We demonstrate that using instant (10s) irradiation values instead of average hourly irradiation values leads to considerable differences in optimum inverter sizing. When calculating inverter yearly efficiency values using both, hourly averages and 1-min averages, we can show that with increased time resolution of solar irradiation data there are higher calculated losses due to inverter undersizing. This reveals that hourly averages hide important irradiation peaks that need to be considered. We performed these calculations for data sets from pyranometer readings from Freiburg (48{sup o}N, Germany) and Florianopolis (27{sup o}S, Brazil) to further show the peculiarities of the site-dependent distribution of irradiation levels and its effects on inverter sizing

Key technical and non-technical challenges for mass deployment of photovoltaic solar energy (PV)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sinke, W.C.

2001-12-01

Photovoltaic solar energy (PV) is used for direct conversion of sunlight into electricity. It is not to be confused with low-temperature thermal solar energy (e.g. solar domestic hot water systems) and with solar electricity production using a conventional high-temperature steam cycle (using parabolic troughs or 'power towers'). Important features of PV are: inherently renewable; sustainable if well designed, manufactured, used, and disposed; no moving parts, quiet; reliable if well designed and engineered; modular (from milliwatts to multi-megawatts); suitable for a wide variety of applications (stand-alone and grid-connected); large potential (regionally and globally); intermittent; capacity factor (ratio of average system power to installed (=peak) power) =0.08-0.24. PV is among the major renewable energy technologies in all well known energy scenarios, although a substantial role in % of the total energy production can only be achieved on the long term (typically 40-60 years years). Fortunately, long before that the PV market may be a rapidly growing, multi-billion euro business, providing enormous economic opportunities and many jobs

The value of residential photovoltaic systems: A comprehensive assessment

Science.gov (United States)

Borden, C. S.

1983-01-01

Utility-interactive photovoltaic (PV) arrays on residential rooftops appear to be a potentially attractive, large-scale application of PV technology. Results of a comprehensive assessment of the value (i.e., break-even cost) of utility-grid connected residential photovoltaic power systems under a variety of technological and economic assumptions are presented. A wide range of allowable PV system costs are calculated for small (4.34 kW (p) sub ac) residential PV systems in various locales across the United States. Primary factor in this variation are differences in local weather conditions, utility-specific electric generation capacity, fuel types, and customer-load profiles that effect purchase and sell-back rates, and non-uniform state tax considerations. Additional results from this analysis are: locations having the highest insolation values are not necessary the most economically attractive sites; residential PV systems connected in parallel to the utility demonstrate high percentages of energy sold back to the grid, and owner financial and tax assumptions cause large variations in break-even costs. Significant cost reduction and aggressive resolution of potential institutional impediments (e.g., liability, standards, metering, and technical integration) are required for a residential PV marker to become a major electric-grid-connected energy-generation source.

EMISSIONS REDUCTION DATA FOR GRID-CONNECTED PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEMS

Science.gov (United States)

This study measured the pollutant emission reduction potential of 29 photovoltaic (PV) systems installed on residential and commercial building rooftops across the U.S. from 1993 through 1997. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and 21 electric power companies sponsor...

A Simulation of Energy Storage System for Improving the Power System Stability with Grid-Connected PV using MCA Analysis and LabVIEW Tool

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jindrich Stuchly

2015-01-01

Full Text Available The large-scale penetration of distributed, Renewable power plants require transfers of large amounts of energy. This, in turn, puts a high strain on the energy delivery infrastructure. In particular, photovoltaic power plants supply energy with high intermittency, possibly affecting the stability of the grid by changing the voltage at the plant connection point. In this contribution, we summarize the main negative effects of selected and real-operated grid connected photovoltaic plant. Thereafter a review of suitable Energy storage systems to mitigate the negative effects has been carried out, compared and evaluated using Multi-criterion analysis. Based on this analysis, data collected at the plant and the grid, are used to design the energy storage systems to support connection of the plant to the grid. The cooperation of these systems is then analysed and evaluated using simulation tools created in LabVIEW for this purpose. The simulation results demonstrate the capability of energy storage system solutions to significantly reduce the negative feedback effects of Photovoltaic Power Plan to the low voltage grid.

Wide-Scale Adoption of Photovoltaic Energy

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Yang, Yongheng; Enjeti, Prasad; Blaabjerg, Frede

2015-01-01

Current grid standards largely require that low-power (e.g., several kilowatts) single-phase photovoltaic (PV) systems operate at unity power factor (PF) with maximum power point tracking (MPPT), and disconnect from the grid under grid faults by means of islanding detection. However, in the case...... of wide-scale penetration of single-phase PV systems in the distributed grid, disconnection under grid faults can contribute to 1) voltage flickers, 2) power outages, and 3) system instability. This article explores grid code modifications for a wide-scale adoption of PV systems in the distribution grid....... In addition, based on the fact that Italy and Japan have recently undertaken a major review of standards for PV power conversion systems connected to low-voltage networks, the importance of low voltage ride-through (LVRT) for single-phase PV power systems under grid faults is considered, along with three...

Proportional-Resonant Controllers. A New Breed of Controllers Suitable for Grid-Connected Voltage-Source Converters

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Teodorescu, Remus; Blaabjerg, Frede

2004-01-01

This paper is describing the recently introduced proportional-resonant (PR) controllers and their suitability for grid-connected converters current control. It is shown that the known shortcomings associated with PI controllers like steady - state error for single-phase converters and the need...... of decoupling for three-phase converters can be alleviated. Additionally, selective harmonic compensation is also possible with PR controllers. Suggested control-diagrams for three-phase grid converters and active filters are also presented. A practical application of PR current control for a photovoltaic (PV...

A study on economic power dispatch grid connected PV power plant in educational institutes

Science.gov (United States)

Singh, Kuldip; Kumar, M. Narendra; Mishra, Satyasis

2018-04-01

India has main concerns on environment and escalation of fuel prices with respect to diminution of fossil fuel reserves and the major focus on renewable Energy sources for power generation to fulfill the present and future energy demand. Installation of PV power plants in the Educational Institutions has grown up drastically throughout India. More PV power plant are integrated with load and grid through net metering. Therefore, this paper is an analysis of the 75kWp PV plant at chosen buses, considering the need of minimum demand from the grid. The case study is carried out for different generation level throughout the day and year w.r.t load and climate changes, load sharing on grid. The economic dispatch model developed for PV plant integrated with Grid.

Adaptive Harmonic Compensation in Residential Distribution Grid by Roof-Top PV Systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Zangeneh Bighash, Esmaeil; Sadeghzadeh, Seyed Mohammad; Ebrahimzadeh, Esmaeil

2018-01-01

grid- connected roof-top PV inverters in residential distribution grid can be an opportunity to engage these systems in the power quality issues as custom power devices. By implementing a proper control for roof-top PV inverters, these systems may in addition to inject the fundamental current......, additionally act like a virtual harmonic resistance and dedicate their additional current capacity to compensate the harmonics of residential distribution grid. In this paper, each roof-top PV system is a grid harmonic supervisor, where it continually measures the PCC voltage harmonics by Sliding Discrete...

A Wavelet-Based Unified Power Quality Conditioner to Eliminate Wind Turbine Non-Ideality Consequences on Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Bijan Rahmani

2016-05-01

Full Text Available The integration of renewable power sources with power grids presents many challenges, such as synchronization with the grid, power quality problems and so on. The shunt active power filter (SAPF can be a solution to address the issue while suppressing the grid-end current harmonics and distortions. Nonetheless, available SAPFs work somewhat unpredictably in practice. This is attributed to the dependency of the SAPF controller on nonlinear complicated equations and two distorted variables, such as load current and voltage, to produce the current reference. This condition will worsen when the plant includes wind turbines which inherently produce 3rd, 5th, 7th and 11th voltage harmonics. Moreover, the inability of the typical phase locked loop (PLL used to synchronize the SAPF reference with the power grid also disrupts SAPF operation. This paper proposes an improved synchronous reference frame (SRF which is equipped with a wavelet-based PLL to control the SAPF, using one variable such as load current. Firstly the fundamental positive sequence of the source voltage, obtained using a wavelet, is used as the input signal of the PLL through an orthogonal signal generator process. Then, the generated orthogonal signals are applied through the SRF-based compensation algorithm to synchronize the SAPF’s reference with power grid. To further force the remained uncompensated grid current harmonics to pass through the SAPF, an improved series filter (SF equipped with a current harmonic suppression loop is proposed. Concurrent operation of the improved SAPF and SF is coordinated through a unified power quality conditioner (UPQC. The DC-link capacitor of the proposed UPQC, used to interconnect a photovoltaic (PV system to the power grid, is regulated by an adaptive controller. Matlab/Simulink results confirm that the proposed wavelet-based UPQC results in purely sinusoidal grid-end currents with total harmonic distortion (THD = 1.29%, which leads to high

Error Assessment of Solar Irradiance Forecasts and AC Power from Energy Conversion Model in Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gianfranco Chicco

2015-12-01

Full Text Available Availability of effective estimation of the power profiles of photovoltaic systems is essential for studying how to increase the share of intermittent renewable sources in the electricity mix of many countries. For this purpose, weather forecasts, together with historical data of the meteorological quantities, provide fundamental information. The weak point of the forecasts depends on variable sky conditions, when the clouds successively cover and uncover the solar disc. This causes remarkable positive and negative variations in the irradiance pattern measured at the photovoltaic (PV site location. This paper starts from 1 to 3 days-ahead solar irradiance forecasts available during one year, with a few points for each day. These forecasts are interpolated to obtain more irradiance estimations per day. The estimated irradiance data are used to classify the sky conditions into clear, variable or cloudy. The results are compared with the outcomes of the same classification carried out with the irradiance measured in meteorological stations at two real PV sites. The occurrence of irradiance spikes in “broken cloud” conditions is identified and discussed. From the measured irradiance, the Alternating Current (AC power injected into the grid at two PV sites is estimated by using a PV energy conversion model. The AC power errors resulting from the PV model with respect to on-site AC power measurements are shown and discussed.

Fuzzy-predictive direct power control implementation of a grid connected photovoltaic system, associated with an active power filter

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ouchen, Sabir; Betka, Achour; Abdeddaim, Sabrina; Menadi, Abdelkrim

2016-01-01

Highlights: • An implementation on dSPACE 1104 of a double stage grid connected photovoltaic system, associated with an active power filter. • A fuzzy logic controller for maximum power point tracking of photovoltaic generator using a boost converter. • Predictive direct power control almost eliminates the effect of harmonics under a unite power factor. • The robustness of control strategies was examined in different irradiance level conditions. - Abstract: The present paper proposes a real time implementation of an optimal operation of a double stage grid connected photovoltaic system, associated with a shunt active power filter. On the photovoltaic side, a fuzzy logic based maximum power point taking control is proposed to track permanently the optimum point through an adequate tuning of a boost converter regardless the solar irradiance variations; whereas, on the grid side, a model predictive direct power control is applied, to ensure both supplying a part of the load demand with the extracted photovoltaic power, and a compensation of undesirable harmonic contents of the grid current, under a unity power factor operation. The implementation of the control strategies is conducted on a small scale photovoltaic system, controlled via a dSPACE 1104 single card. The obtained experimental results show on one hand, that the proposed Fuzzy logic based maximum power taking point technique provides fast and high performances under different irradiance levels while compared with a sliding mode control, and ensures 1.57% more in efficiency. On the other hand, the predictive power control ensures a flexible settlement of active power amounts exchanges with the grid, under a unity power functioning. Furthermore, the grid current presents a sinusoidal shape with a tolerable total harmonic distortion coefficient 4.71%.

Experimental Evaluation of Grid Support Enabled PV Inverter Response to Abnormal Grid Conditions: Preprint

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nelson, Austin; Martin, Gregory; Hurtt, James

2017-05-08

As revised interconnection standards for grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) inverters address new advanced grid support functions (GSFs), there is increasing interest in inverter performance in the case of abnormal grid conditions. The growth of GSF-enabled inverters has outpaced the industry standards that define their operation, although recently published updates to UL1741 with Supplement SA define test conditions for GSFs such as volt-var control, frequency-watt control, and volt-age/frequency ride-through, among others. A comparative experimental evaluation has been completed on four commercially available, three-phase PV inverters in the 24.0-39.8 kVA power range on their GSF capability and the effect on abnormal grid condition response. This study examines the impact particular GSF implementations have on run-on times during islanding conditions, peak voltages in load rejection overvoltage scenarios, and peak currents during single-phase and three-phase fault events for individual inverters. This report reviews comparative test data, which shows that GSFs have little impact on the metrics of interest in most tests cases.

Photovoltaics for Buildings Cutting-Edge PV

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hayter, S. J.; Martin, R. L.

1998-01-01

Photovoltaic (PV) technology development for building-integrated applications (commonly called PV for Buildings) is one of the fastest growing areas in the PV industry. Buildings represent a huge potential market for photovoltaics because they consume approximately two-thirds of the electricity consumed in the US. The PV and buildings industries are beginning to work together to address issues including building codes and standards, integration, after-market servicing, education, and building energy efficiency. One of the most notable programs to encourage development of new PV-for-buildings products is the PV:BONUS program, supported by the US Department of Energy. Demand for these products from building designers has escalated since the program was initiated in 1993. This paper presents a range of PV-for-buildings issues and products that are currently influencing today's PV and buildings markets

Leakage current analysis of a single-phase transformer-less PV inverter connected to the grid

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Ma, Lin; Tang, F.; Zhou, F.

2009-01-01

Due to the large surface of the PV generator, its stray capacity with respect to the ground reaches values that can be quite high. When no transformer is used in a grid-connected PV system, common-mode current, which caused by the common mode voltage, can flow through the stray capacitance between...... the PV array and the ground. It is quite harmful to the body safety and PV system. In order to avoid leakage current, different inverter topologies that generate no varying common-mode voltages, such as bipolar pulse-width modulation (PWM) full-bridge topology, NPC topology have been proposed. From...... the safety and energy saving viewpoint, it is necessary to develop a higher efficiency topology. In this paper, the generation mechanism of common mode current is discussed. Then different methods used to eliminate the leakage current are compared. Finally, the full-bridge which generates no varying common...

Stochastic scheduling of renewable micro-grids considering photovoltaic source uncertainties

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Najibi, Fatemeh; Niknam, Taher

2015-01-01

Highlights: • Proposing a complete model for PV panels. • Suggesting a Scenario Based Method to see the uncertainties of problem. • Introduction of a new optimization algorithm for solving MG operation problem. • We propose one modification over the proposed algorithm to make it better working. - Abstract: This paper introduces a new electrical model of a PV array by simulating and tests it on one typical Micro-Grid (MG) to see its performance with regards of optimal energy management of Micro-Grids (MGS). In addition, it introduces a probabilistic framework based on a scenario-based method to overcome all the uncertainties in the optimal energy management of MGs with different renewable power sources, such as Photovoltaic (PV), Wind Turbine (WT), Micro Turbine (MT), and storage devices. Therefore, the uncertainty is considered for WT and PV output power variations, load demand forecasting error and grid bid changes at the same time. It is hard to solve MG problem with all its uncertainty for 24-h time intervals, and consider several equality and inequality at the same time. In fact, in order to resolve this issue, the problem needs one powerful technique that although it converges very fast, it escapes from the local optima. As a result, one modern Dolphin echolocation optimization algorithm (DEOA) is defined to explore all the search space globally. The DEO algorithm uses the ability of echolocation of the dolphins to find the best location. Additionally, the proposed modification method will be introduced in this paper. This method makes the algorithm work better and finds the locations faster. The proposed method is implemented on a test grid-connected MG and satisfying results can be seen after implementation

Sustainable recycling technologies for Solar PV off-grid system

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Uppal Bhavesh

2017-01-01

Full Text Available Policy makers throughout the world have accepted climate change as a repercussion of fossil fuel exploitation. This has led the governments to integrate renewable energy streams in their national energy mix. PV off-grid Systems have been at the forefront of this transition because of their permanently increasing efficiency and cost effectiveness. These systems are expected to produce large amount of different waste streams at the end of their lifetime. It is important that these waste streams should be recycled because of the lack of available resources. Our study found that separate researches have been carried out to increase the efficiencies of recycling of individual PV system components but there is a lack of a comprehensive methodical research which details efficient and sustainable recycling processes for the entire PV off-grid system. This paper reviews the current and future recycling technologies for PV off-grid systems and presents a scheme of the most sustainable recycling technologies which have the potential for adoption. Full Recovery End-of-Life Photovoltaic (FRELP recycling technology can offer opportunities to sustainably recycle crystalline silicon PV modules. Electro-hydrometallurgical process & Vacuum technologies can be used for recovering lead from lead acid batteries with a high recovery rate. The metals in the WEEE can be recycled by using a combination of biometallurgical technology, vacuum metallurgical technology and other advanced metallurgical technologies (utrasonical, mechano-chemical technology while the plastic components can be effectively recycled without separation by using compatibilizers. All these advanced technologies when used in combination with each other provide sustainable recycling options for growing PV off-grid systems waste. These promising technologies still need further improvement and require proper integration techniques before implementation.

Tracking the Sun: The Installed Cost of Photovoltaics in the U.S. from 1998-2007

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wiser, Ryan; Barbose, Galen; Peterman, Carla

2009-02-11

As installations of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have grown, so too has the desire to track the installed cost of these systems over time, by system characteristics, by system location, and by component. This report helps to fill this need by summarizing trends in the installed cost of grid-connected PV systems in the United States from 1998 through 2007. The report is based on an analysis of installed cost data from nearly 37,000 residential and non-residential PV systems, totaling 363 MW of capacity, and representing 76percent of all grid-connected PV capacity installed in the U.S. through 2007.

Performance test of a grid-tied PV system to power a split air conditioner system in Surabaya

Science.gov (United States)

Tarigan, E.

2017-11-01

Air conditioner for cooling air is one of the major needs for those who live in hot climate area such as Indonesia. This work presents the performance test of a grid-tied PV system to power air conditioner under a hot tropical climate in Surabaya, Indonesia. A 800 WP grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) system was used, and its performance was tested to power a 0.5 pk of split air conditioner system. It was found that about 3.5 kWh daily energy was consumed by the tested air conditioner system, and about 80% it could be supplied from the PV system. While the other 20% was supplied by the grid during periods of low solar irradiation, 440 Wh of energy was fed into the grid during operation out of office hours. By using the grid-tied PV system, the energy production by PV system did not need to match the consumption of the air conditioner. However, a larger capacity of PV system would mean that a higher percentage of the load would be covered by PV system.

A Novel Neutral Point Clamped Full-Bridge Topology for Transformerless Photovoltaic Grid-Connected Inverters

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

M. Pakdel

2017-04-01

Full Text Available This paper presents a novel neutral point clamped full-bridge topology for transformerless photovoltaic grid-tied inverters. Transformerless grid-connected inverters have been used widely in recent years since they offer higher efficiency and lower costs. Ground leakage current suppression is the main issue which should be considered carefully in transformerless photovoltaic grid-connected inverters. Among different methods used to decline ground leakage current, neutral point clamped (NPC topologies are considered more useful and effective. In NPC topologies, the short-circuited output voltage at the freewheeling period is clamped to the middle of the DC bus voltage. Therefore, the common-mode voltage (CM will be constant at the whole switching period. Various NPC topologies such as H6 [1], HB-ZVR [2], oH5 [3], and PN-NPC [4] have been proposed. In this paper, a novel NPC topology is proposed which has lower power losses and higher efficiency over previous topologies. Furthermore, the proposed NPC topology exhibits a similar ground leakage current with the PN-NPC topology. The proposed NPC topology is analyzed theoretically using simulation studies and an experimental prototype is provided to verify theoretical analysis and simulation studies.

Relay Protection Coordination for Photovoltaic Power Plant Connected on Distribution Network

OpenAIRE

Nikolovski, Srete; Papuga, Vanja; Knežević, Goran

2014-01-01

This paper presents a procedure and computation of relay protection coordination for a PV power plant connected to the distribution network. In recent years, the growing concern for environment preservation has caused expansion of photovoltaic PV power plants in distribution networks. Numerical computer simulation is an indispensable tool for studying photovoltaic (PV) systems protection coordination. In this paper, EasyPower computer program is used with the module Power Protector. Time-curr...

Single stage three level grid interactive MPPT inverter for PV systems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ozdemir, Saban; Altin, Necmi; Sefa, Ibrahim

2014-01-01

Highlights: • A three phase three-level NPC inverter for grid interactive PV systems is proposed. • A novel MPPT algorithm is introduced for single stage systems. • The proposed algorithm is robust with respect to parameter variations of PV system. • THD level is measured as 3.45% and it meets the international standards (<5%). • Total system efficiency is measured as 93.08%. - Abstract: In this study, three-phase, single stage neutral point clamped grid interactive inverter is designed and implemented. The reference current of the voltage source inverter is determined by maximum power point tracking sub-program in order to obtain maximum power from photovoltaic modules instantaneously. Proposed control is realized via TMS320F28335 32-bit floating point processor. The modified incremental conductance method is applied for maximum power point tracking; the PI regulator is used to control the inverter output current shape and level. Galvanic isolation is provided by a line frequency transformer that matches inverter output voltage to the grid voltage level and prevents DC current injection into the grid. Experimental results show that the designed inverter imports energy to the grid with unity power factor, total harmonic distortion level is 3.45% and this value is in the limits of the international standards. In addition, the total efficiency of the system is measured as 93.08%. The proposed system gets the maximum power from photovoltaic module and dispatches into the grid without using additional DC/DC converter

Design and comparison of a 10-kW interleaved boost converter for PV application using Si and SiC devices

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Chandra Mouli, G.R.; Schijffelen, Jos H.; Bauer, P.; Zeman, M.

2017-01-01

Grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) inverters have a dc/dc converter connected to the PV for executing the maximum power point tracking. The design of an interleaved boost converter (IBC) with three switching legs for a 10-kW PV inverter is presented in this paper. This paper shows how the use of

Photovoltaic is redolent of grid parity

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Signoret, Stephane

2015-01-01

This article indicates and comments the current trends of decrease of photovoltaic costs and increase of electricity prices. As a result, grid parity is starting to be reached in some countries (Mexico city, California, Australia, Italy, Germany, Israel, Chile) and nearly in southern France only, as the prices of residential electricity are rather low and therefore don't give any chance to network parity for solar photovoltaic. Curves of evolutions of photovoltaic costs and retail electricity prices are given for different towns (Berlin, London, Rome, Madrid, Marseilles, San Francisco, Sydney, and Copiapo in Chile). These evolutions are a positive factor for the development of self-consumption. The article thus evokes the PV-NET project which gathers several European regions or countries to test and assess different economic solutions of self-consumption

An MPC Based ESS Control Method for PV Power Smoothing Applications

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Lei, Mingyu; Yang, Zilong; Wang, Yibo

2018-01-01

Random fluctuation in photovoltaic (PV) power plants is becoming a serious problem affecting the power quality and stability of the grid along with the increasing penetration of PVs. In order to solve this problem, by the adding of energy storage systems (ESS), a grid-connected microgrid system c...

Marketing residential grid-connected PV systems using a balanced scorecard as a marketing tool

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bach, N.; Calais, P.; Calais, M.

2001-01-01

A strategic analysis of the electricity market in Western Australia yields a market potential for renewable energy in Western Australia. However, from a purely financial viewpoint the installation of grid-connected pv-systems still is not economically viable. In this paper a balanced scorecard (BSC) is developed to capture and visualize other than financial benefits. Therefore, the BSC can be used as a marketing tool to communicate the benefits of a privately owned GCPV system to potential customers. (author)

Review of the French photovoltaic facilities connected to the grid at the end of March 2012

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2012-01-01

This newsletter takes stock of the evolution of the photovoltaic power plants connected and waiting to be connected to the French national grid (mainland France and overseas territories), at the national and regional scale, and sorted by power categories. This issue takes stock of the situation at the end of March 2012

Review of the French photovoltaic facilities connected to the grid at the end of June 2012

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2012-01-01

This newsletter takes stock of the evolution of the photovoltaic power plants connected and waiting to be connected to the French national grid (mainland France and overseas territories), at the national and regional scale, and sorted by power categories. This issue takes stock of the situation at the end of June 2012

The Integration and Control of Multifunctional Stationary PV-Battery Systems in Smart Distribution Grid

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Khan, Mohammad Rezwan; Mulder, Grietus; Van Mierlo, Joeri

2013-01-01

The paper investigates the potential of using lumped stationary battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the public low-voltage distribution grid in order to defer upgrades needed in case of large penetration of electric vehicle (EV), electrified heat pump (HP) in presence of photovoltaic (PV....... The objective of this paper is to develop and detail the method of optimum sizing energy storage for grid connected distribution systems using newly devised BESS control protocol and investigate its sensitivity to factors which are known to influence energy system performance and hence storage requirements......) panel on the view of techno economic optimal sizing taking the consideration of season-based diurnal dynamics. The BESS is primarily dimensioned for the peak shaving operation targeted for the counterbalance of overloading of transformer; BESS also participates in arbitrage (buy low, sell high...

National Survey Report of PV Power Applications in France 2012. Photovoltaic Power Applications in France - National Survey Report 2012

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Durand, Yvonnick

2013-05-01

The PV power of all grid-connected photovoltaic systems installed in 2012 stood at 1 079 MW. This represented a 38 % fall compared with 2011. New grid-connected distributed systems, the majority of which were building-integrated, represented a total power of 756 MW, while grid-connected centralised ground-based power plants accounted for 323 MW. New PV installations in mainland France accounted for 35 % of total new electricity production capacity commissioned in 2012. The off-grid stand-alone photovoltaic system sector remains marginal with around 0,2 MW installed. The cumulative power capacity of all photovoltaic systems in operation at the end of 2012 stood at 4 003 MW (281 724 systems) representing an increase of 37% compared with 2011. Residential systems less than or equal to 3 kW accounted for 86% of all installations and 16 % of total power capacity, while systems exceeding 250 kW accounted for 0,3% of all installations and 44% of total capacity. In 2012, photovoltaic electricity production accounted for 0,7% of France's total electricity production. In France, the estimated average price of European-manufactured photovoltaic modules stood at 0,72 EUR/W in 2012. The fall in prices observed over the last two years has led to substantial growth in the medium-power and high-power systems sector. The turnkey price stood at around 3,7 EUR/W in 2012 for building-integrated residential systems (IAB) using European modules. The price of simplified building-integrated systems (ISB) on commercial and industrial buildings stood at 2,0 EUR/W, and at 1,6 EUR/W for high-power grid-connected ground-mounted systems (all prices mentioned are exclusive of VAT). The French photovoltaic component industry faced stiff international competition in 2012. The industrial value chain has, on the whole, remained relatively unscathed, but small installation companies have been the worst affected. Upstream of the PV sector, photovoltaic-grade silicon manufacturing is currently at

A New Family of Multilevel Grid Connected Inverters Based on Packed U Cell Topology.

Science.gov (United States)

Pakdel, Majid; Jalilzadeh, Saeid

2017-09-29

In this paper a novel packed U cell (PUC) based multilevel grid connected inverter is proposed. Unlike the U cell arrangement which consists of two power switches and one capacitor, in the proposed converter topology a lower DC power supply from renewable energy resources such as photovoltaic arrays (PV) is used as a base power source. The proposed topology offers higher efficiency and lower cost using a small number of power switches and a lower DC power source which is supplied from renewable energy resources. Other capacitor voltages are extracted from the base lower DC power source using isolated DC-DC power converters. The operation principle of proposed transformerless multilevel grid connected inverter is analyzed theoretically. Operation of the proposed multilevel grid connected inverter is verified through simulation studies. An experimental prototype using STM32F407 discovery controller board is performed to verify the simulation results.

Optimal sizing of a hybrid grid-connected photovoltaic and wind power system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

González, Arnau; Riba, Jordi-Roger; Rius, Antoni; Puig, Rita

2015-01-01

Highlights: • Hybrid renewable energy systems are efficient mechanisms to generate electrical power. • This work optimally sizes hybrid grid-connected photovoltaic–wind power systems. • It deals with hourly wind, solar irradiation and electricity demand data. • The system cost is minimized while matching the electricity supply with the demand. • A sensitivity analysis to detect the most critical design variables has been done. - Abstract: Hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) have been widely identified as an efficient mechanism to generate electrical power based on renewable energy sources (RES). This kind of energy generation systems are based on the combination of one or more RES allowing to complement the weaknesses of one with strengths of another and, therefore, reducing installation costs with an optimized installation. To do so, optimization methodologies are a trendy mechanism because they allow attaining optimal solutions given a certain set of input parameters and variables. This work is focused on the optimal sizing of hybrid grid-connected photovoltaic–wind power systems from real hourly wind and solar irradiation data and electricity demand from a certain location. The proposed methodology is capable of finding the sizing that leads to a minimum life cycle cost of the system while matching the electricity supply with the local demand. In the present article, the methodology is tested by means of a case study in which the actual hourly electricity retail and market prices have been implemented to obtain realistic estimations of life cycle costs and benefits. A sensitivity analysis that allows detecting to which variables the system is more sensitive has also been performed. Results presented show that the model responds well to changes in the input parameters and variables while providing trustworthy sizing solutions. According to these results, a grid-connected HRES consisting of photovoltaic (PV) and wind power technologies would be

Control of Grid Interactive PV Inverters for High Penetration in Low Voltage Distribution Networks

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Demirok, Erhan

Regarding of high density deployment of PV installations in electricity grids, new technical challenges such as voltage rise, thermal loading of network components, voltage unbalance, harmonic interaction and fault current contributions are being added to tasks list of distribution system operators...... of these inverters may depend on grid connection rules which are forced by DSOs. Minimum requirement expected from PV inverters is to transfer maximum power by taking direct current (DC) form from PV modules and release it into AC grid and also continuously keep the inverters synchronized to the grid even under...... for this problem but PV inverters connected to highly capacitive networks are able to employ extra current and voltage harmonics compensation to avoid triggering network resonances at low order frequencies. The barriers such as harmonics interaction, flicker, fault current contribution and dc current injections...

Computer Drawing Method for Operating Characteristic Curve of PV Power Plant Array Unit

Science.gov (United States)

Tan, Jianbin

2018-02-01

According to the engineering design of large-scale grid-connected photovoltaic power stations and the research and development of many simulation and analysis systems, it is necessary to draw a good computer graphics of the operating characteristic curves of photovoltaic array elements and to propose a good segmentation non-linear interpolation algorithm. In the calculation method, Component performance parameters as the main design basis, the computer can get 5 PV module performances. At the same time, combined with the PV array series and parallel connection, the computer drawing of the performance curve of the PV array unit can be realized. At the same time, the specific data onto the module of PV development software can be calculated, and the good operation of PV array unit can be improved on practical application.

Prospects for investment in large-scale, grid-connected solar power in Africa

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Hansen, Ulrich Elmer; Nygaard, Ivan; Pedersen, Mathilde Brix

since the 1990s have changed the competiveness of solar PV in all markets, ranging from individual households via institutions to mini-grids and grid-connected installations. In volume and investment, the market for large-scale grid-connected solar power plants is by far the most important......-scale investments in grid-connected solar power plants and local assembly facilities for PV panels, have exceeded even optimistic scenarios. Finally, therefore, there seem to be bright prospects for investment in large-scale grid-connected solar power in Africa....

Properties and uses of storage for enhancing the grid penetration of very large photovoltaic systems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Solomon, A.A.; Faiman, D.; Meron, G.

2010-01-01

In this third paper, which studies the hourly generation data for the year 2006 from the Israel Electric Corporation, with a view to incorporating very large photovoltaic (PV) power plants, we address the question: What properties should storage have in order to enhance the grid penetration of large PV systems in an efficient and substantial manner? We first impose the constraint that no PV energy losses are permitted other than those due to storage inefficiency. This constraint leads to powerful linkages between the energy capacity and power capacity of storage, and PV system size, and their combined effect on grid penetration. Various strategies are then examined for enhancing grid penetration, based upon this newfound knowledge. Specific strategies examined include PV energy dumping and baseload rescheduling both on a seasonal basis and shorter time periods. We found, inter alia, that at high grid flexibilities (in the range ff=0.8-1), PV grid penetration levels could be possible in the range 60-90% of annual requirements. Moreover, with appropriately designed storage and accurate forecasting, a future grid could be operated at ff=1.

Energy production estimation for Kosh-Agach grid-tie photovoltaic power plant for different photovoltaic module types

Science.gov (United States)

Gabderakhmanova, T. S.; Kiseleva, S. V.; Frid, S. E.; Tarasenko, A. B.

2016-11-01

This paper is devoted to calculation of yearly energy production, demanded area and capital costs for first Russian 5 MW grid-tie photovoltaic (PV) plant in Altay Republic that is named Kosh-Agach. Simple linear calculation model, involving average solar radiation and temperature data, grid-tie inverter power-efficiency dependence and PV modules parameters is proposed. Monthly and yearly energy production, equipment costs and demanded area for PV plant are estimated for mono-, polycrystalline and amorphous modules. Calculation includes three types of initial radiation and temperature data—average day for every month from NASA SSE, average radiation and temperature for each day of the year from NASA POWER and typical meteorology year generated from average data for every month. The peculiarities for each type of initial data and their influence on results are discussed.

Energy production estimation for Kosh-Agach grid-tie photovoltaic power plant for different photovoltaic module types

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gabderakhmanova, T S; Frid, S E; Tarasenko, A B; Kiseleva, S V

2016-01-01

This paper is devoted to calculation of yearly energy production, demanded area and capital costs for first Russian 5 MW grid-tie photovoltaic (PV) plant in Altay Republic that is named Kosh-Agach. Simple linear calculation model, involving average solar radiation and temperature data, grid-tie inverter power-efficiency dependence and PV modules parameters is proposed. Monthly and yearly energy production, equipment costs and demanded area for PV plant are estimated for mono-, polycrystalline and amorphous modules. Calculation includes three types of initial radiation and temperature data—average day for every month from NASA SSE, average radiation and temperature for each day of the year from NASA POWER and typical meteorology year generated from average data for every month. The peculiarities for each type of initial data and their influence on results are discussed. (paper)

Grid-Tied PV System with Energy Optimization

OpenAIRE

Maryam Shahjehan; Waleed Shahjehan; Muhammad Naeem Arbab

2017-01-01

International audience; Electricity that is generated from coal, natural gas and fossil fuel has an impact on human health and also causes global warming. The integration of renewable energy sources with the grid is a good solution to these problems. This approach is known as smart grid. Sources of renewable energy such as wind or PV are not able to provide a continuous supply of energy to the load due to periodic or seasonal variations. Connecting these renewable sources to the grid can help...

Performance Ratios of Grid Connected Photovoltaic Systems and Theory of Errors

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Javier Vilariño-García

2016-07-01

Full Text Available A detailed analysis of the different levels of dynamic performance of grid connected photovoltaic systems and its interface based on the development of a block diagram explaining the course of energy transformation from solar radiation incident on the solar modules until it becomes useful energy available in the mains. Indexes defined by the Spanish standard                 UNE-EN 61724: Monitoring photovoltaic systems: Guidelines for measurement, data exchange and analysis, are explained from the basics fundaments of block algebra and the transfer function of linear systems. The accuracy requirements demanded by the aforementioned standard for measuring these parameters are discussed in the theory of errors and the real limits of the results obtained. 

Comparative Analysis of Inversors for Small PV Systems Grid Connected; Analisis Comparativo de inversores para la conexion a Red de Pequnos Sistemas Fotovoltaicos

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sidrach de Cardona, M.; Ramirez, L.

2001-07-01

The energy produced by a grid connected photovoltaic system is a function of weather conditions, mainly available radiation and temperature, photovoltaic array efficiency and inverter characteristics. The results obtained in experimental measurements with four small grid-connected inverters are described in this work. The main goal is to know the inverter performance in real operation conditions. For this purpose a 2 kW{sub p} photovoltaic system has been used. These results allow us to know both the inverter efficiency and its output power quality. The following parameters have been evaluated as a function of but put inverter power efficiency, point of maximum power tracking, intensity and voltage waveform, total harmonic distortion and harmonic values to 31 order, frequency, power factor and reactive power. Other interesting parameters like stand-by energy consumption and daily losses due to the inverter threshold have also been analyzed. the results allow us to know the inverter features as a function of its real work point. In our comparative study it is possible to observe remarkable differences between the inverters; these results show how important it is to have a unique standard for inverters to photovoltaic grid-connected systems. (Author)

Techno-Economic Performance Evaluation for Olive Mills Powered by Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ovidio Rabaza

2015-10-01

Full Text Available In recent years, due to the rise in petroleum prices and greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy has been recommended as a power source for different types of facilities. For the period 2010 to 2020 the European Commission has established three key objectives related to climatic change and energy sustainability, such as reductions of CO2 emissions, increases in the use of renewable energy, and improvements in energy efficiency. A key industry is olive oil production in olive mills, where there is a great opportunity to reduce electricity consumption, increase additional profits related to the reduction of technologies that are harmful to the environment, and to cut back maintenance costs. For this reason, a feasibility study of grid-connected photovoltaics (PV systems has been carried out for different types of olive mills in Andalusia (southern Spain. This region is highly energy dependent, but has an abundance of “green” resources to be exploited. The results of this study contemplate a reduction in spending on electrical power of between 2% and 37%, and an increase in the use of renewable energy of between 2% and 26%. These results are according to the self-consumption or net metering policy and the production capacity of olive oil.