• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.221-227
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• 2022

The reliability improvement of PV systems is an important factor in reducing the cost of PV energy because it is closely related to the annual energy production as well as the maintenance cost of PV systems. The reliability of PV inverters plays a key role in the reliability of PV systems because it is regarded as one of the most reliable critical parts of PV systems. The lifetime evaluation of PV inverters considering the mission profile in the design phase plays an important role in reliability design to ensure the required lifetime of PV inverters. In this paper, the lifetime of representative single-phase T-type and I-type NPC inverters are comparatively evaluated by considering the mission profile of a PV system recorded at Iza, Spain. Furthermore, the effect of the pulse width modulation methods on the lifetime is also discussed. The lifetime evaluation of PV inverters is performed at the component-level first and then the system level by considering all power devices.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.175-180
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• 2019

In order to overcome the drawbacks of low rated power of the string inverter, the necessity of micro -inverters and future development directions will be examined by comparing the power conditioner system with existing PCS using micro inverter. Currently, string inverters have been used in household solar power generation systems, and research and penetration of micro-inverters(PV-MIC) have been expanding, which can overcome the shortcomings of string inverters starting from Europe. However, in the PV inverter industry, precise technical standards, test measurement equipment and related test methods for micro-inverters(PV-MIC) are obstacles to product development. Therefore, in this paper, considering the characteristics of micro-inverter (PV-MIC), it aims to make it competitive so that it does not lag behind advanced technology change through test measurement equipment and related technical standard.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1141-1151
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• 2016

This study proposes a novel islanding detection method for distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems with multi-inverters based on a combination of the power line carrier communication and Sandia frequency shift islanding detection methods. A parameter design method is provided for the novel scheme. On the basis of the designed parameters, the effect of frequency measurement errors and grid line impedance on the islanding detection performance of PV systems is analyzed. Experimental results show that the theoretical analysis is correct and that the novel method with the designed parameters has little effect on the power quality of the inverter output current. Non-detection zones are not observed, and a high degree of reliability is achieved. Moreover, the proposed islanding detection method is suitable for distributed PV systems with multi-inverters.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.54-64
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• 2015

This paper presents a current sensorless maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control method for dual-mode photovoltaic (PV) module-type interleaved flyback inverters (ILFIs). This system, called the MIC (Module Integrated Converter), has been recently studied in small PV power generation systems. Because the MIC is an inverter connected to one or two PV arrays, the power system is not affected by problems with other inverters. However, since the each PV array requires an inverter, there is a disadvantage that the initial installation cost is increased. To overcome this disadvantage, this paper uses a flyback inverter topology. A flyback inverter topology has an advantage in terms of cost because it uses fewer parts than the other transformer inverter topologies. The MPPT control method is essential in PV power generation systems. For the MPPT control method, expensive dc voltage and current sensors are used in the MIC system. In this paper, a MPPT control method without current sensor where the input current is calculated by a simple equation is proposed. This paper also deals with dual-mode control. Simulations and experiments are carried out to verify the performance and effectiveness of the proposed current sensorless MPPT control method on a 110 [W] prototype.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2022

In this paper, the effect of pulse width modulation methods on thermal loadings and power losses of single-phase five-level NPC inverters for photovoltaic systems are analyzed. The pulse width modulation methods affect the power losses of the NPC inverters and thus lead to different thermal loadings of NPC inverters. To identify the reliability-critical power device with respect to thermal stress, the thermal loadings of I- and T-type NPC inverters are analyzed by applying the unipolar pulse modulation method. Then, the effect of the discontinuous pulse width modulation method on power losses and thermal loadings of power devices of I- and T-type NPC inverters are analyzed. Finally, the operation of NPC inverters applying the discontinuous pulse modulation method is confirmed by experiments. The results show that the discontinuous pulse modulation method is able to improve the reliability of NPC inverters by reducing thermal loadings of reliability-critical power devices and it is more effective for T-type NPC inverters than I-type NPC inverters.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.256-267
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• 2015

Grid-connected transformerless photovoltaic (PV) inverters (TPVIs) are increasingly dominating the market due to their higher efficiency, lower cost, lighter weight, and reduced size when compared to their transformer based counterparts. However, due to the lack of galvanic isolation in the low voltage grid interconnections of these inverters, the PV systems become vulnerable to leakage currents flowing through the grounded star point of the distribution transformer, the earth, and the distributed parasitic capacitance of the PV modules. These leakage currents are prohibitive, since they constitute an issue for safety, reliability, protection coordination, electromagnetic compatibility, and module lifetime. This paper investigates a wide range of multi-kW range power rating TPVI topologies and classifies them in terms of their leakage current attributes. This systematic classification places most topologies under a small number of classes with basic leakage current attributes. Thus, understanding and evaluating these topologies becomes an easy task. In addition, based on these observations, new topologies with reduced leakage current characteristics are proposed in this paper. Furthermore, the important efficiency and cost determining characteristics of converters are studied to allow design engineers to include cost and efficiency as deciding factors in selecting a converter topology for PV applications.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2014

This paper describes an optimal configuration for multi-central inverters in a medium-voltage (MV) grid, which is suitable for large-scale photovoltaic (PV) power plants. We theoretically analyze a proposed common-mode equivalent model for problems associated with multi-central transformerless-type three-phase full bridge(3-FB) PV inverters employing two-winding MV transformers. We propose a synchronized PWM control strategy to effectively reduce the common-mode voltages that may simultaneously occur. In addition, we propose that the existing 3-FB topology may also have the configuration of a multi-central inverter with a two-winding MV transformer by making a simple circuit modification. Simulation and experimental results of three 350kW PV inverters in a multi-central configuration verify the effectiveness of the proposed synchronization control strategy. The modified transformerless-type 3-FB topology for a multi-central PV inverter configuration is verified using an experimental prototype of a 100kW PV inverter.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.752-759
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• 2013

This paper proposes a method for fault diagnosis and fault-tolerant control of DC-link voltage sensor for two-stage three-phase grid-connected PV inverters. Generally, the front-end DC-DC boost converter tracks the maximum power point (MPP) of PV array and the rear-end DC-AC inverter is used to generate a sinusoidal output current and keep the DC-link voltage constant. In this system, a sensor is essential for power conversion. A sensor fault is detected when there is an error between the sensed and estimated values, which are obtained from a DC-link voltage sensorless algorithm. Fault-tolerant control is achieved by using the estimated values. A deadbeat current controller is used to meet the dynamic characteristic of the proposed algorithm. The proposed algorithm is validated by simulation and experiment results.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.134-137
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• 2006

The equipment of PV system is composed of PV Modules, inverters, DC combiner boxes, transformer protective equipment etc,. And, These equipment be combined Power transformation, Monitoring, Protect ive function The primary concern in designing any PV system is the determination of its optimum size and combination.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.1217-1226
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• 2015

In a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system, the traditional Z-source inverter uses a low frequency transformer to ensure galvanic isolation between the grid and the PV system. In order to combine the advantages of both Z-source inverters and transformerless PV inverters, this paper presents a modified single-phase transformerless Z-source PV grid-connected inverter and a corresponding PWM strategy to eliminate the ground leakage current. By utilizing two reversed-biased diodes, the path for the leakage current is blocked during the shoot-through state. Meanwhile, by turning off an additional switch, the PV array is decoupled from the grid during the freewheeling state. In this paper, the operation principle, PWM strategy and common-mode (CM) characteristic of the modified transformerless Z-source inverter are illustrated. Furthermore, the influence of the junction capacitances of the power switches is analyzed in detail. The total losses of the main electrical components are evaluated and compared. Finally, a theoretical analysis is presented and corroborated by experimental results from a 1-kW laboratory prototype.