A Current-Source MicroInverter for

Solar PV Applications

Solar PV

As of 2015, 1.3 million Australian households, have adopted rooftop solar panels [1]

Australian PV installations since 2004 [2]

Solar PV Systems- Central Inverter

Panels wired in series Single Central Inverter Limited to the lowest panel output Single Point of Failure

Central Inverter PV System [3]

Micro-Inverters

Traditional AC Cabling Maximum Power Point Tracking Expandability Fault Redundancy

Heat and Weathering Higher Maintenance Cost

Micro-Inverter Wiring Example [4]

Voltage Source Inverters

Dominant Inverter Topology Voltage Stiff Bulky Electrolytic Capacitor Inherent Buck Characteristic

Voltage Source Inverter [5]

Current Source Inverters

Popular in High-Power Motor Drives Current Stiff Inductive Energy Storage Inherent Boost Characteristic

Current Source Inverter [5]

Goals

Produce a Hardware Platform for a Low Voltage Current-Source Micro-Inverter for Solar PV Applications

Implement Space Vector Modulation with the use of the Texas Instruments 320F2845 Digital Signal Processor

Stepped CSI

Simple to Implement Robust High Distortion Unsuited to Grid Connected Application

IGBT CSI

Sine-Triangle Modulation DC/AC Side Filtering Low Harmonic Distortion

Working Prototype

Switching Circuit Gate Drive Current/Voltage Sensing Microprocessor/Control – Space Vector Modulation, PLL Harmonic Filtering Assess Thermal Performance/ Power Efficiency

Stretch goals

Use of Three phase output for single phase use MPPT Anti Islanding Investigate Semiconductor Alternatives

References [1] K. Thornton, "Inovation in Australia's solar PV industry," Energy News, vol.

33, no. 1, pp. 4, 5, 16 March 2015. [2] Australian PV Institite “National Survey Report of PV Power Applications in

Australia” 2014 [3] Alternative Energy Tutorials “Solar Power Inverter Configurations” http://

www.alternative-energy-tutorials.com/solar-power/solar-power-inverter.html accessed 02/06/2016

[4] Marsden, G “Microinverters make a simple DIY installation” Home Power Issue #136, April / May 2010

[5] P. P. Dash, "A High Performance Three-Phase Grid-Connected PV System Based On Multilevel Current Source Inverter," University of Waterloo, Waterloo, 2013.