1 / 11

Optimisation of PV installations for partial shadowing

Optimisation of PV installations for partial shadowing. Micro-inverters and decentralised DC-DC optimisation boxes. Guy Kasier E&D Systems January 2011. Leonardo ENERGY. www.leonardo-energy.org. Problems with a conventional configuration.

Download Presentation

Optimisation of PV installations for partial shadowing

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Optimisation of PV installations for partial shadowing Micro-inverters and decentralised DC-DC optimisation boxes Guy Kasier E&D Systems January 2011 Leonardo ENERGY www.leonardo-energy.org

  2. Problems with a conventional configuration • PV panels are connected in a string to a central inverter • When there is shadowing on one panel (e.g. from a chimney or tree) the production of the entire string falls • The generating capacity is not fully utilised Leonardo ENERGY www.leonardo-energy.org

  3. Problems with a conventional configuration Partial shadowing of panel 4 causes a production loss in all panels of the string Leonardo ENERGY www.leonardo-energy.org

  4. Two possible solutions Decentralised micro-inverters or Decentralised DC-DC optimisation boxes Leonardo ENERGY www.leonardo-energy.org

  5. 1. Micro-inverters (1) • No central inverter, but a micro-inverter for each PV panel • Micro-inverters convert the DC from a PV panel into 230 VAC • The outputs are connected together in parallel and fed to the distribution board via a cable Leonardo ENERGY www.leonardo-energy.org

  6. 1. Micro-inverters (2) The output of each PV panel can be monitored via a website Each PV panel has its own inverter (fitted at the back of the panels) Leonardo ENERGY www.leonardo-energy.org

  7. 2. DC-DC optimisation boxes • Each PV panel has its own optimisation box • The boxes maximise the energy output for each PV panel and ensure a fixed DC string voltage • The boxes are connected together in series, and to a central inverter • The output of each PV panel can be monitored via a web page or smartphone Leonardo ENERGY www.leonardo-energy.org

  8. Benefits of the two systems • The output of each panel is optimised individually • Shadowing on one or more panels has no effect on the generation of the other panels • Total generation can thus rise by 5% to 25% • Generation can be monitored from a web page. A poorly operating panel, inverter or optimisation box can thus be detected quickly • Inverters and optimisation boxes can be replaced individually in the event of any faults. Leonardo ENERGY www.leonardo-energy.org

  9. Disadvantages of the two systems • The cost is higher than in a conventional system with one central inverter • The total installation time is somewhat longer • In the event of a fault in a micro-inverter or DC-DC optimisation box, the roof has to be accessed for maintenance Leonardo ENERGY www.leonardo-energy.org

  10. Micro-inverters versus DC-DC optimisation boxes Micro-inverters DC-DC optimisation boxes Output DC voltage Central inverter required Serial connection Monitoring via web page and smartphone • Output 230 VAC • No central inverter required • Parallel connection • Monitoring via web page Both systems ensure a higher output in the event of partial shadowing of the PV panels. Leonardo ENERGY www.leonardo-energy.org

  11. A few links • Enphase website: www.enphaseenergy.com • Enphase training video: video • Solaredge website: www.solaredge.com • Solaredge training video: video page • Pros and cons of solar panel micro-inverters: video Leonardo ENERGY www.leonardo-energy.org

More Related