Optimal PID Tuning of PLL for PV Inverter Based on Aquila Optimizer

Phase-locked loop (PLL) is a fundamental and crucial component of a photovoltaic (PV) connected inverter, which plays a significant role in high-quality grid connection by fast and precise phase detection and lock. Several novel critical structure improvements and proportional-integral (PI) parameter optimization techniques of PLL were proposed to reduce shock current and promote the quality of grid connection at present. However, the present techniques ignored the differential element of PLL and did not acquire ideal results. Thus, this paper adopts Aquila optimizer algorithm to regulate the proportional-integral-differential (PID) parameters of PLL for smoothing power fluctuation and improving grid connection quality. Three regulation strategies (i.e., PLL regulation, global regulation, and step regulation) are carefully designed to systematically and comprehensively evaluate the performance of the proposed method based on a simulation model in MATLAB/Simulink, namely, “250-kW Grid-Connected PV Array”. Simulation results indicate that PLL regulation strategy can effectively decrease power fluctuation and overshoot with a short response time, low complexity, and time cost. Particularly, the Error(P) and the maximum deviation of output power under optimal parameters obtained by PLL strategy are decreased by 418 W and 12.5 kW compared with those under initial parameters, respectively.

Design and Performance Evaluation of a Step-Up DC–DC Converter with Dual Loop Controllers for Two Stages Grid Connected PV Inverter

In this work, a non-isolated DC–DC converter is presented that combines a voltage doubler circuit and switch inductor cell with the single ended primary inductor converter to achieve a high voltage gain at a low duty cycle and with reduced component count. The converter utilizes a single switch that makes its control very simple. The voltage stress across the semiconductor components is less than the output voltage, which makes it possible to use the diodes with reduced voltage rating and a switch with low turn-on resistance. In particular, performance principle of the proposed converter along with the steady state analysis such as voltage gain, voltage stress on semiconductor components, and design of inductors and capacitors, etc., are carried out and discussed in detail. Moreover, to regulate a constant voltage at a DC-link capacitor, back propagation algorithm-based adaptive control schemes are designed. These adaptive schemes enhance the system performance by dynamically updating the control law parameters in case of PV intermittency. Furthermore, a proportional resonant controller based on Naslin polynomial method is designed for the current control loop. The method describes a systematic procedure to calculate proportional gain, resonant gain, and all the coefficients for the resonant path. Finally, the proposed system is simulated in MATLAB and Simulink software to validate the analytical and theoretical concepts along with the efficacy of the proposed model.

Hybrid PWM Techniques for a DCM-232 Three-Phase Transformerless Inverter with Reduced Leakage Ground Current

Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) strategies are crucial for controlling DC–AC power converters. In particular, transformerless inverters require specific PWM techniques to improve efficiency and to deal with leakage ground current issues. In this paper, three hybrid PWM methods are proposed for a DCM-232 three-phase topology. These methods are based on the concepts of carrier-based PWM and space vector modulation. Calculations of time intervals for active and null vectors are performed in a conventional way, and the resulting waveforms are compared with a carrier signal. The digital signals obtained are processed using Boolean functions, generating ten signals to control the DCM-232 three-phase inverter. The performance of the three proposed PWM methods is evaluated considering the reduction in leakage ground current and efficiency. The proposed modulation techniques have relevant performances complying with international standards, which make them suitable for transformerless three-phase photovoltaic (PV) inverter markets. To validate the proposed hybrid PWM strategies, numerical simulations and experimental tests were performed.

Reliability Analysis of Bifacial PV Panel-Based Inverters Considering the Effect of Geographical Location

Recent trends in the photovoltaic (PV) technology industry are moving towards utilizing bifacial PV panels. Unlike traditional PV panels, bifacial PV panels can yield energy from both sides of the panel. Manufacturers specify that bifacial PV panels can harness up to 30% more energy than traditional PV panels. Hence, bifacial PV panels are becoming a common approach at low solar irradiance conditions to yield more energy. However, a bifacial PV panel increases PV inverter loading. The PV inverter is the most unreliable component in the entire PV system. This results in a negative impact on PV system reliability and cost. Hence, it is necessary to anticipate the inverter’s reliability when used in bifacial PV panels. This paper analyzes the reliability, i.e., lifetime, of PV inverters, considering both monofacial and bifacial PV panels for the analysis. Results showed that the increase in bifacial energy yield could significantly affect PV inverter reliability performance, especially in locations where the average mission profile is relatively high.

Independent Active and Reactive Power Control for Single Stage H8 Transformer-less Solar PV Inverter

With the rapid development in power electronics technologies and solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, the interest in solar PV cell-based electric power generation and other applications is increasing more incredibly. For low power grid or direct load applications, single-stage solar PV inverters without transformers are advantageous. Based on this concept solar single-stage eight switch H8 based transformerless solar PV inverter is proposed. The objective of the work is to present a control scheme for the H8 inverter to have better power handling capability and for independent active and reactive power control. For this, the test system is studied using MATLAB/ SIMULINK software under three cases (i) constant active power and varying reactive power, (ii) varying active power and constant reactive power, and (iii) varying both active and reactive power. The proposed inverter is compared with single-stage solar PV with two switches boost and six switches inverter topology. It is found that power flow ripples and surges are lesser for proposed H8 than with single-stage topology.

A Switched quasi Z-Source Three-Port (SqZSTP) DC-DC converter for photovoltaic power generation system

In this paper, a modified wide input Switched quasi Z-Source Three-Port (SqZSTP) DC-DC converter is proposed to interface the Photovoltaic (PV) inverter with the distributed power generation system. The proposed SqZSTP DC-DC converter constructed with the Quasi Z-Source impedance network and a three-winding High Frequency Transformer (HFT) offers high voltage gain with a wide input voltage range. In the proposed topology the input port has been divided into two ports, to reduce the power rating and voltage stress across each component. The design and operating principle of the SqZSTP DC-DC converter are presented. The steady state and dynamic performance of the proposed SqZSTP DC-DC converter is compared with other converters which has the impedance network in front. The Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) used in the voltage loop avoids the variation in the output voltage when the wide variation in the input voltage happens. In order to test the proposed topology, a scaled down model with the voltage and power rating of 400V/1400W was developed. The conversion efficiency of 94.5% is achieved.