Field tests of a novel inverter for photovoltaic power conditioning
The Dickerson inverter synthesizes a sinewave current from a photovoltaic array that is segmented into a number of subarrays. These subarrays are switched among the ac phases so that the current from a given subarray is continuous, and each phase is connected at all times to one or more subarrays. The control scheme assures a near-unity power factor current with real-time phase adjustment to power-system disturbances. A prototype inverter was operated into a three-phase power system, with the dc supplied by a photovoltaic array at Sandia National Laboratories. The results of these tests under normal, abnormal and fault conditions are reported. Inversion efficiencies up to 99% were achieved with 0.97 power factor. A simple filter reduced current harmonics from 18% to 5%. The performance for the inverter was projected for a 480-V, three-phase system at the 50-kVA level. An analysis of filtering costs indicates that harmonic reduction to 5% can be achieved at under $0.003 per watt for typical central-station applications. The intended power range for these inverters is 50--250 kVA. The cost to produce the inverter at the 50-kVA level in quantities of 1000 units is estimated to be $0.05 per watt, which is less than the projected cost of other 50-kVA inverters. 22 figs., 9 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5962916
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-88-2974; ON: DE89014322
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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42 ENGINEERING
POWER CONDITIONING CIRCUITS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
COST
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC FILTERS
INVERTERS
MICROPROCESSORS
COMPUTERS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
EQUIPMENT
FILTERS
MICROELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TESTING
140600* - Solar Energy- Photovoltaic Power Systems
420800 - Engineering- Electronic Circuits & Devices- (-1989)