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ENERGY CONVERSION
Lecture 4
PV system architecture
Content
1. PV system architecture
2. PV system components
o Charge controller
o Inverter
o Battery
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PV System Architecture
Stand alone system
Hybrid system
Grid connected system
Stand alone system – direct
connection
oVery simple architecture
oLimited to only DC load
oPV not operated at MPP
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Stand alone system with battery
Why need battery?
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Hybrid system
Hybrid system
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Grid-connected PV system
Grid-connected system – 1
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Grid-connected system – 2
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Grid-connected system – 3
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Typical layout of a utility-scale
PV system
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Content
1. PV system architecture
2. PV system components
o Charge controller
o Inverter
o Battery
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Connection of charge controller
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Functions of charge controller
oMain role is to control charging and discharging of the battery
oOver charge protection
oOver discharge protection
oMonthly equalization charge
oVarious controlling mode for load
oOver temperature and overload protection
oShort circuit protection of load and PV
oReverse current protection at night
oReverse connection protection of PV, load, and battery
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PWM charge controller
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MPPT charge controller
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Maximum Power Point Tracker
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Types of charge controller
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Example of a MPPT charge controller’s spec
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Content
1. PV system architecture
2. PV system components
o Charge controller
o Inverter
o Battery
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Solar PV inverter
❑Solar PV Inverters convert the DC output of photovoltaic
(PV) solar panels or strings of panel into a AC current
which is injected to the grid (or load).
❑Solar PV inverters have the following functions:
◦ DC/AC conversion and voltage adaptation
◦ Maximum power point tracking
◦ Anti-islanding protection
◦ Synchronization with the grid
◦ Support to the grid where the PV system is connected
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Inverter efficiency
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Central inverter
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Central inverter
Advantages of a Disadvantages of a Central Inverter
Central Inverter oHigh DC wiring costs and power loss due to Voltage Drop.
oThe most traditional oSingle MPPT for the entire PV system
inverter topology oSystem output can be drastically reduced in case of partial
shading and string mismatch
oEasy system design
and implementation oDifficult to add strings or arrays for future expansion
oSingle failure point for the entire system
oLow cost per Watt
oMonitoring at array level
oEasy accessibility for
oHuge size! (It is a disadvantage because the bigger size
maintenance and
requires more land and creates a shading issue for the PV
troubleshooting array.)
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String inverter
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String inverter
Advantages of a String Inverter
oSmaller in size when compared to central inverters
oBetter MPPT capability per string
oScalability for future expansion by adding parallel strings
oShort DC wires
oMonitoring at string level
Disadvantages of a String Inverter
oThe installation requires special racking for the inverter for each string
oPoor flexibility at partial shading
oHigher per Watt cost than central inverter
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Micro Inverter
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Micro Inverter
Advantages of Micro Inverters
oResilience to partial shading effects as compared to the central and string inverters.
oMPPT at module level
oHighest system flexibility for future expansion
oMinimum DC wiring costs
oMonitoring at module level
Disadvantages of Micro Inverters
oHigh per Watt cost
oHigh maintenance costs
oDifficult access for maintenance since the installation is under the PV modules
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Example datasheet
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Example datasheet
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Content
1. PV system architecture
2. PV system components
o Charge controller
o Inverter
o Battery
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SOC and DOD
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Battery life
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DOD vs Battery temperature
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Battery self discharge
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Battery voltage
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Battery charging
Rated capacity
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Rated capacity
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Connection in series/parallel
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