Performance Assessment of a Real PV System Connected to a Low-Voltage Grid

The generation of photovoltaic(PV)solar energy is increasing continuously because it is renewable,unlimited,and clean energy.In the past,generation systems depended on non-renewable sources such as oil,coal,and gas.Therefore,this paper assesses the performance of a 51 kW PV solar power plant connected to a low-voltage grid to feed an administrative building in the 6th of October City,Egypt.The performance analysis of the considered grid-connected PV system is carried out using power system simulator for Engineering(PSS/E)software.Where the PSS/E program,monitors and uses the power analyzer that displays the parameters and measures some parameters such as current,voltage,total power,power factor,frequency,and current and voltage harmonics,the used inverter from the type of grid inverter for the considered system.The results conclude that when the maximum solar radiation is reached,the maximum current can be obtained from the solar panels,thus obtaining the maximum power and power factor.Decreasing total voltage harmonic distortion,a current harmonic distortion within permissible limits using active harmonic distortion because this type is fast in processing up to 300 microseconds.The connection between solar stations and the national grid makes the system more efficient.

Control strategy of LCL-type three-phase photovoltaic grid connected inverter

The grid-connected inverter with LCL filter has the ability of easily attenuating high-frequency current harmonics. However, its suppression effect on the background harmonics in grid voltage is limited. A control strategy is presented, which is composed of an inner loop of capacitor current feedforward, an outer loop of grid-current feedforward and feedforward of grid voltage. The limitations and steps of parameters design for LCL filter are analyzed. Meanwhile, the capacitor current loop is employed to damp the resonant peak caused by the LCL filter and enhance the stability. The properties of different controllers are analyzed and compared, thereinto quasi-proportional-rasonant (PR) controller realizes the control with zero steady-state error of AC variables in static coordinates. In order to suppress the current distortion effected by the background harmonics in grid voltage, the feed-forward function is calculated for the grid-connected inverter with an LCL filter. After simplifying the block diagram, a full-feedforward control strategy for grid voltage is proposed. Theoretical analysis and Matlab/Simulink simulation results show that the proposed method has the advantages of high steady accuracy, fast dynamic response and strong robustness.

Predictive direct power control of three-phase PWM rectifier based on TOGI grid voltage sensor free algorithm

In predictive direct power control(PDPC)system of three-phase pulse width modulation(PWM)rectifier,grid voltage sensor makes the whole system more complex and costly.Therefore,third-order generalized integrator(TOGI)is used to generate orthogonal signals with the same frequency to estimate the grid voltage.In addition,in view of the deviation between actual and reference power in the three-phase PWM rectifier traditional PDPC strategy,a power correction link is designed to correct the power reference value.The grid voltage sensor free algorithm based on TOGI and the corrected PDPC strategy are applied to three-phase PWM rectifier and simulated on the simulation platform.Simulation results show that the proposed method can effectively eliminate the power tracking deviation and the grid voltage.The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by comparing the simulation results.

Soft-switching Grid-connected PV Inverter With Interleaved Flyback Topology

提出一种应用于单个光伏组件的软开关交错反激并网逆变器拓扑及其软开关控制策略。针对反激变压器漏感问题，提出漏感能量吸收回馈电路，实现了漏感能量吸收再利用，并实现了开关管漏源电压的钳位，提高了变换效率同时降低了开关管关断电压尖峰；提出基于数字处理器的反激变换器变开关频率谐振软开关控制策略，实现了开关管的零电压开通，同时改善了逆变器的电磁兼容特性；提出的交错并联反激逆变器有助于减小变压器和滤波器的体积，提高功率密度。详细分析变换器的工作原理，分析变开关频率谐振软开关控制方式的原理和实现条件，最后进行实验验证。

H6 Non-isolated Full Bridge Grid-connected PV Inverters With Low Leakage Currents

为满足非隔离光伏并网发电系统对共模漏电流的限制，提出一种六开关逆变器拓朴（H6拓扑）。所提出的H6拓扑在功率传输模态时，进网电流半个工频周期流过3支开关管，而另半个工频周期流过2支开关管，故相对于H5拓扑，降低了通态损耗，有利于热应力均衡，且仍满足续流阶段光伏电池输出端与电网脱离的要求。详细分析拓扑的工作原理，并推论给出H6非隔离光伏并网逆变器的其它3种拓扑结构；比较分析了H5拓扑、Heric拓扑和H6拓扑的损耗和成本。通过1kW通用样机平台对比验证了上述3种拓扑的效率和共模特性。实验结果表明，H6拓扑的变换效率高于H5拓扑、但略低于Heric拓扑，共模特性优于Heric拓扑、但略劣于H5拓扑。

Low Voltage Ride through Control Capability of a Large Grid Connected PV System Combining DC Chopper and Current Limiting Techniques

This paper presents the development and performance capability of a comprehensive Low voltage ride through (LVRT) control scheme that makes use of both the DC chopper and the current limiting based on the required reactive power during fault time. The study is conducted on an 8.5 MW single stage PV power plant (PVPP) connected to the Rwandan grid. In the event of fault disturbance, this control scheme helps to overcome the problems of excessive DC-link voltage by fast activation of the DC chopper operation. At the same instance, AC current is limited to the maximum rating of the inverter as a function of the injected reactive current. This helps overcome AC-over- current that may possibly lead to damage or disconnection of the inverter. The control scheme also ensures voltage support and power balance through the injection of reactive current as per grid code requirements. Selected simulations using MATLAB are carried out in the events of different kinds of fault caused voltage dips. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed LVRT control scheme.

Long Term Assessment of a Grid Connected Solar PV System in Sydney

This paper assesses 4 years of operation of a 1.75 kW roof top solar PV system installed in a Sydney suburban house. The system consists of 10 PV panels, a DC/AC inverter, and a grid connected gross meter. Solar electricity delivered to grid is verified with the results from a computer simulation package （PVSYST） by adopting the installed component specifications, operation conditions, and weather data of the site. The results show high consistency between the values of energy delivered to the grid measured by the energy company and the energy estimated by system simulation. New system performance indicator is developed and called the optimum performance compliance ratio （PCR）. It is a measure of the compliance of the output of the designed PV system with the output which would be produced by the same system with a solar tracker. This indicator provides system designers, contractors and energy providers with the actual capacity of the system that they can offer the end-users.

Power Quality Study of an Isolated Northwest Grid of Saudi Arabia with PV and Storage

One main concern of power quality is harmonics because the distorted waveforms of current and voltage have a huge effect on electrical equipment. Due to the continuous increase of grid connected photovoltaic (PV) and nonlinear loads, as a result of the fast development and growth of power electronics application, power quality becomes more important since it introduces harmonics to the power system. This paper presents a power quality study to the isolated northwest grid of Saudi Arabia in presence of PV system and battery storage. Moreover, the study includes nonlinear loads for more analysis regarding harmonics penetration and the design procedure for passive filters to eliminate the harmonics.

PV-Hybrid Off-Grid and Mini-Grid Systems for Rural Electrification in Sub-Saharan Africa

Rural electrification remains a great challenge for Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as access to electricity is a prerequisite to accelerate its development. The present paper reviews the measures adopted to promote access to electricity in rural and remote areas of SSA. The main barriers to rural electrification in these developing countries are presented before showing technologies used for the aforementioned purpose. Then, adopted methods for enhancing the use of renewable energy in SSA are shown. Moreover, the policy adopted by decision makers and project planners are also highlighted. In addition, the optimal solutions proposed by researchers are given such as the cost-effective off-grid system type that might be a viable alternative to diesel power generation.

Analyzing the Impact of Bapco 5 MW Solar PV Grid-Connected Project on Bahrain’s Outlook for Energy-Mix Production

The impact of Bapco 5 MW solar PV grid-connected project on Bahrain’s outlook for clean energy and energy-mix production was analyzed since solar electricity obtained from PV installation is considered as a non-linear system. Several positive impacts were counted. These impacts were on business, economy, environment, research, green jobs creation and rooftop installation and other large-scale installation. This project had attracted public, investors, developers to invest in similar projects in the Kingdom of Bahrain;especially it is an environmentally friendly and smart technology. This innovative smart grid-connected 5 MW solar PV power plant is enough to electrify 500 houses @ 10 kW and had answered lots of frustrating questions such as the effect of dust on PV performance, need of man-made cleaning compared to naturally cleaned PV panels, reliability of the system, greenhouse gases reduction and pay-back period.

Implementation of FPGA Based MPPT Techniques for Grid-Connected PV System

Global energy demand is growing rapidly owing to industrial growth and urbanization.Alternative energy sources are driven by limited reserves and rapid depletion of conventional energy sources(e.g.,fossil fuels).Solar photovol-taic(PV),as a source of electricity,has grown in popularity over the last few dec-ades because of their clean,noise-free,low-maintenance,and abundant availability of solar energy.There are two types of maximum power point track-ing(MPPT)techniques:classical and evolutionary algorithm-based techniques.Precise and less complex perturb and observe(P&O)and incremental conduc-tance(INC)approaches are extensively employed among classical techniques.This study used afield-programmable gate array(FPGA)-based hardware arrange-ment for a grid-connected photovoltaic(PV)system.The PV panels,MPPT con-trollers,and battery management systems are all components of the proposed system.In the developed hardware prototype,various modes of operation of the grid-connected PV system were examined using P&O and incremental con-ductance MPPT approaches.

Research and Design of Inverter Applied in Solar PV Systems Connected to Distribution Grid

This paper presents the results of research on the application of inverter in the grid connected solar photovoltaics (PV) system. The main content of the article is to control the three-phase grid connected inverter to meet the requirement of controlling the reactive power to zero at a node of the distribution network while maximizing the active power transmitted to the grid. The control circuits are synthesized on the dq coordinate system and verified on the simulation model by Matlab/Simulink. Both simulation and experimental prototype on 5 kW inverter, being connected to low voltage grid, have been built to show the good results and the practical readiness for implementation.

Investigation on Grid Connections of Wind Power and PV Power in China

In order to fully comprehend the developing status of wind power and photovoltaic (PV) power generation, a special investigation on the integration of wind power and PV power was launched by the agencies of the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) throughout China during July-October 2010. This report is completed based on the investigation along with routine supervisory and management programs. There are totally 573 wind power projects and 94 PV power projects involved. Existing problems in these projects are pointed out and proposals for regulation are put forward.

Power Electronics for PV-Based Communal Grids

In this paper power electronics used in PV power generation systems have been reviewed and modelled. PV systems need converters for maximum power point tracking, power conditioning, voltage step-up/down as necessary, and for storage charge-controlling. Inverters are needed for AC loads and for utility grid interfacing. The four basic DC-DC converters commonly used with PV systems have been reviewed and modelled. Different DC-AC inverter types and operational architectures have also been reviewed with the two-stage DC-AC inverter, with the point of common coupling (PCC) at the inverter input, suggested as the most cost-effective and efficient architecture for PV-based communal grids. This is because only one inverter is used for the entire system as opposed to an inverter for every module string, resulting in higher efficiencies, low cost, and low harmonic distortions when compared to systems with PCC at AC terminal. The aim of power conversion/inversion is to extract maximum power possible from the PV system and where necessary, to invert it at close to 100% as possible. Highlight: 1) DC-DC converters are necessary for power conditioning in PV systems;2) DC-AC inverters are necessary for AC loads and for utility grid interfacing;3) DC-AC inverters are also used to control the PV systems when grid connected;4) Best inverter configuration cost-effectively and efficiently allows easy system modifications.

Cost-effective Energy Monitoring of Domestic Off-grid PV Systems

Domestic off-grid renewable energy systems have become common place in many areas of the world, as humanity seeks to keep abreast with global technological changes and advancements. This paper aims to present a cost-effective energy monitoring system which may be used to analyze and evaluate the operation of a domestic off-grid PV system. Parameters which are monitored include the output voltage and current from a 55 W polycrystalline PV panel. The output voltage and current from a power regulation circuit (which could be a DC-DC converter, solar charger or MPPT) is also monitored with this singular system which incorporates a data logging interface circuit, a data logger and a personal computer.

Fault Identification and Islanding in DC Grid Connected PV System

Nowadays, the DC distribution system has been suggested, as a replacement for the AC power distribution system with electric propulsion. This idea signifies a fresh approach of issuing energy for low-voltage installations. It can be used for any electrical application up to 20 MW and works at a nominal voltage of 1000 V DC. The DC distribution system is just an extension of the multiple DC links that previously available in all propulsion and thruster drives, which typically comprise more than 80% of the electrical power consumption on electric propulsion vessels. A fault detection and islanding scheme for DC grid connected PV system is presented in this paper. Unlike traditional ac distribution systems, protection has been challenging for dc systems. The goals of this paper are to classify and detect the fault in the PV system as well as DC grid and to isolate the faulted section so that the system keeps operating without disabling the entire system. The results show the measured values of power at PV panel and DC grid side under different fault condition, which indicates the type of fault that occurs in the system.

Analysis on the Effect of Shading on the Characteristics of Large-scale on-grid PV System in China

Because of rich solar resource and low land cost, a lot of large-scale ground-based grid-connected PV systems have been built in Northwest China. In this paper, some shading phenomena on a grid-connected PV system inNorthwest Chinaare classified and analyzed. Through the I-V curve test of PV modules, it can be seen that dust influence system performance of the grid-connected PV system. And the experimental results have shown that shading could affect the electrical properties of PV modules. Meanwhile, same shading area on different shading positions could have different impacts on the identical PV module.

Testing PV Central Inverters＇ Compliance with International Grid Codes

In many electrical grids worldwide, the rising amount of installed PV （photovoltaic） power entails a considerable influence of PV systems on grid quality and stability. Consequently, in the wake of the revised German medium voltage directives issued in 2009, new requirements for PV inverters have been established internationally. At Fraunhofer ISE＇s Inverter Laboratory, approximately 25 large PV inverters with a nominal power of up to 880 kVA have been characterized in the past three years. In this period, the focus of many inverter manufacturers has begun to shift from traditional European markets towards an international perspective. Therefore, experiences with numerous different grid codes have been gained by our team. This work summarizes the similarities and differences between these grid codes. Additionally, several requirements that have proved to be critical will be examined. Finally, the adequacy of these grid codes to guarantee the safe and reliable operation of electrical grids is discussed.

Effects of Flicker in a Distribution Grid with High PV Penetration

The quantity of installed PV （photovoltaic） systems in the German distribution grid is still increasing. In some areas, the installed PV capacity exceeds 5 kW per HC （house connection）. Therefore, the load flow changes its characteristics and leads to new requirements for the grid. In some areas, the power feedback is higher than the delivery and the installed PV capacity becomes the decisive factor for grid planning. This paper discusses the impact of PV systems on the flicker level. The focus hereby is on the correlation among the flicker level, the grid voltage and the meteorological parameters. Different approaches to investigate if there is an influence of PV systems on the maximum flicker are taken into account. Furthermore, an investigation if the normative limit is exceeded will be shown.