Certification Training Course

SESSION -1: Inverters

1. Introduction
2. Solar Fundamentals
3. PV Technologies
4. PV Modules
5. Inverters
6. EMC Main Issues
 Inverters

Objective

• The objective of this module is to review the

Inverters, the Maximum Power Point Tracker
and their electronics.
• Examples of commercial models are also
presented.
General
Characteristics

3
 General Characteristics
Definitions

• An inverter or power conversion equipment (PCE) is a system

that converts the electrical power delivered by the PV array into
the appropriate frequency and voltage values to be delivered to
the load, or stored in a battery or injected into the electricity grid

• A grid-connected inverter is an inverter that is able to operate in

parallel with the distribution or transmission system of an
electrical utility

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 General Characteristics
Main functions performed by PV inverters

• Optimal exploitation of the PV array(s).

• Power conversion from DC to sine wave AC.
• Automatic synchronization to the grid.
• Automatic disconnection in case of grid failure.
• Grid services (voltage control, reactive power, etc.).
• Data monitoring and transferring

Single-phase and three

phase feed of inverters

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 General Characteristics
Principle of 1-ph and 3-ph Inverters

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GRID-TIED INVERTORS

Grid-commutated inverters

Uses the mains voltage to determine the

switch-on and switch-off for the electronic
switching devices.
Switching is affected by grid distortion.

Power switching circuit:

Thyristors,

Applications:
On-grid installations,
GRID-TIED INVERTORS

Self-commutated inverters

Use principle of pulse-width-modulation (PWM) with

switching frequency in the region of 10kHz to 100
kHz.
Switching is unaffected by grid distortion.

Power switching circuit:

• Metal-oxide field effect transistors (MOSFETs),
• Bipolar transistors,
• Junction field effect transistor (JFET),
• Gate turn-off thyristors (GTOs) (up to 1kHz),
• Insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs).

Aplications:
On-Grid and Off-grid installations,
 General Characteristics
Separation between DC section and AC section
Non-Isolated inverter (with transformer) Non-Isolated inverter (without transformer)
without separation between the main power has separation between the main power
output and PV circuits. output circuits and PV circuits.

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 GRID-TIED INVERTORS

LF and HF Transformer inverters

Transformer inverter with output Low Transformer inverter with internal

Frequency (LF) transformer High Frequency (HF) transformer
o Higher Power Loss o Lower
o Higher Size & weight o Lower
o Lower Complication o Higher
o Similar range, Cost, o Similar range,
o Smaller range DC input Voltage o Wider range
 GRID-TIED INVERTORS

Comparison of transformer and transformerless Inverters

Transformer Transformerless

Features o DC a nd AC a re ga lva nica lly is ola te d. o DC volta ge mus t be highe r tha n grid’s
o Us ua lly ce ntra l inve rte rs . pe a k volta ge . Othe rwis e , dc boos te rs
mus t be us e d.
Be ne fits o Allows S ELV s ys te ms . o Highe r e fficie ncy.
o Minimum e le ctroma gne tic inte rfe re nce . o Lowe r we ight.
o Ea s ily grounding of dc te rmina ls tha t fits o S ma lle r s ize .
a ll mode ls of crys ta lline s ilicon a nd thin o S tring a nd micro inve rte rs re duce dc
film P V module s . ins ta lla tion re quire me nts .
o Allows grounde d & ungrounde d s ys te ms .
Dra wba cks o Tra ns forme r los s e s . o Ne e ds RCD prote ctive de vice s .
o Highe r we ight. o Highe r ca pa citive dis cha rge curre nt tha t
o La rge r s ize . might dis turb s e ns itive RCD de vice s .
o Highe r e le ctroma gne tics inte rfe re nce .
o Une a s ily grounding of dc te rmina ls tha t
unfits ce rta in mode ls of crys ta lline s ilicon
a nd thin film P V module s .
 General Characteristics
Input management

Inverters may be divided into:

• Single input with a pair of + and – terminals or clamps (usually
large inverters, where the parallel and the protection of strings is
performed outside)
• String inverters with a (small) number of pairs of + and –
terminals or connectors (usually small inverters that perform the
parallel of strings and sometimes the string protection)
• Inverters with more than one MPPT, each of them with one or
more pairs of + and – terminals or connectors (usually small-
medium inverters that can manage different sub-arrays further
than perform the parallel of strings)

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Configuration of Inverters and PV Panels

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The Maximum
Power Point
Tracker

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 The Maximum Power Point Tracker
Purpose
Maximum power point tracking (MPPT):
• Control strategy whereby PV array
operation is always at or near the
point on a PV device's current-
voltage characteristic where the
product of electric current and voltage
yields the maximum electrical power
under specified operating conditions
At uniform irradiance the maximum
power point depends on:
• Array characteristics
• Solar irradiance
• Cell temperature

15
 The Maximum Power Point Tracker
The Perturb & Observe (P&O) MPPT algorithm

• It is mostly used, due to its ease of implementation

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 The Maximum Power Point Tracker
The incremental conductance technique (INC) MPPT algorithm

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
• It is based on the observation that, at the MPP it is = 0.
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

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 The Maximum Power Point Tracker
Absolute maximum Vs. relative maximum

• Some MPPTs can find the absolute (global) maximum of the

power curve rather than a relative (local) maximum
• This is particularly useful when the PV array is partially shaded

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Electronics and
DC/AC
conversion

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 Electronics and DC/AC conversion
DC/AC conversion and PWM

• DC/AC conversion is obtained by means of a full-bridge (H-

bridge) circuit
• The sine wave is reproduced by means of the pulse width
modulation (PWM) method

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 Electronics and DC/AC conversion
Single stage Vs. double stage inverters

• Double stage inverters can better manage DC side and AC side

because DC/DC stage and DC/AC stage are differentiated
• Single stage inverters are more efficient and cheaper

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 Electronics and DC/AC conversion
Single stage three-phase inverter

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Examples of
commercial
models

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 Examples of commercial models
ABB MICRO-0.25-I-OUTD

• Single phase inverter

• Max DC power: 265 W
• Max input voltage: 65 V
• MPPT range: 25 ÷ 50 V
• Independent MPPTs: 1
• Strings per MPPT: NA
• Max current per MPPT: 10.5 A
• Max apparent AC power: 250 VA
• AC voltage range: 180 ÷ 264 V
• AC frequency range: 50 Hz ±3 Hz
• Power factor: > 0.995
• Max output current: 1.3 A

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 Examples of commercial models
ABB MICRO-0.25-I-OUTD

• Stand-by consumption: 50 mW
• Max efficiency: 96.5 %
• European efficiency: 95.4 %
• DC disconnection device: No
• Ground fault monitoring: No
• Interface protection: No
• Operating temperature: -40 ÷ +75 °C
• Degree of protection: IP65
• HF transformer
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 246×266×35 mm
• We ight: 1.65 kg
• Cooling: Na tura l

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 Examples of commercial models
SMA Sunny Boy 3000 TL – Reactive Power Control

• Single phase inverter

• Max DC power: 3200 W
• Max input voltage: 750 V
• MPPT range: 175 ÷ 400 V
• Independent MPPTs: 2
• Strings per MPPT: 2
• Max current per MPPT: 15 A
• Max apparent AC power: 3000 VA
• AC voltage range: 180 ÷ 280 V
• AC frequency range: 50 Hz ±5 Hz
• Power factor: 0.8 lagging ÷ 0.8 leading
• Max output current: 16 A

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 Examples of commercial models
SMA Sunny Boy 3000 TL – Reactive Power Control

• Stand-by consumption: 1 W
• Max efficiency: 97 %
• European efficiency: 96 %
• DC disconnection device: Yes
• Ground fault monitoring: Yes
• Interface protection: Yes
• Operating temperature: -25 ÷ +60 °C
• Degree of protection: IP65
• Transformerless inverter
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 490×519×185 mm
• We ight: 26 kg
• Cooling: Conve ction

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 Examples of commercial models
ABB TRIO-27.6-TL-OUTD

• 3-phases inverter
• Max DC power: 32000 W
• Max input voltage: 1000 V
• MPPT range: 500 ÷ 800 V
• Independent MPPTs: 2
• Strings per MPPT: 5
• Max power per MPPT: 16000 W
• Max apparent AC power: 30000 VA
• AC voltage range: 320 ÷ 480 V
• AC frequency range: 50 Hz ±3 Hz
• Power factor: 0.8 lagging ÷ 0.8 leading
• Max output current: 45 A

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 Examples of commercial models
ABB TRIO-27.6-TL-OUTD

• Stand-by consumption: <8 W

• Max efficiency: 98.2 %
• European/CEC efficiency: 98.0 %
• DC disconnection device: Yes
• Ground fault monitoring: Yes
• Interface protection: Yes
• Operating temperature: -25 ÷ +60 °C
• Degree of protection: IP65
• Transformerless inverter
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 702×1061×292 mm
• We ight: 75 kg
• Cooling: Na tura l

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Certification Training Course

SESSION - 2: Design of a Solar PV Plant

1. The PV Systems Family
2. Sizing the PV Array
3. Effects of the Partial Shading
4. Safety of PV Inverters
5. Efficiency Measurement of PV Inverters

6. Standards on PV Connectors and PV Cables

7. Design Requirements and Safety of PV Systems
8. Lightning Main Issues
9. Further Standards
10. Electric Safety and PV Systems
11. PV Array Configuration
12. PV Arrays with a Pole Earthed
13. PV Earth Fault Detection and Alarm Requirements
Safety of PV
inverters

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 Safety of PV inverters
Standards IEC 62109-1 and 62109-2 (UL 1741 is also used)

Minimum requirements for the design and manufacturing of inverters for

protection against electric shock, energy, fire, mechanical and other hazards

IEC IEC
UL
62109- 62109-
Safety of power
S a fe ty of powe r 1741
1 conve rte rs for
2 conve rte rs for S ta nda rd for Inve rte rs ,
Conve rte rs ,
us e in
us e in Controlle rs a nd
photovolta ic Inte rconne ction
photovolta ic
powe r s ys te ms - S ys te m Equipme nt for
powe r s ys te ms - Us e With Dis tribute d
P a rt 2: P a rticula r
P a rt 1: Ge ne ra l Ene rgy Re s ource s
re quire me nts for
re quire me nts (Alte rna tive to pre vious
inve rte rs one s )

IEC s ta nda rd – IEC s ta nda rd – J une UL s ta nda rd – J a nua ry

April 2010 2011 2010

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 Safety of PV inverters
IEC 62109-1 – Safety of power converters for use in photovoltaic
power systems - Part 1: General requirements

Design and methods of construction shall provide adequate

protection for the operator and the surrounding area against:

o Electric shock and energy hazards

o Mechanical hazards
o Excessive temperature hazards
o Spread of fire from the equipment
o Chemical hazards
o Sonic pressure hazards
o Liberated fluids, gases and explosion hazards

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 Safety of PV inverters
IEC 62109-1 – Safety of power converters for use in photovoltaic
power systems - Part 1: General requirements

Environmental requirements and conditions include :

o Ingress protection.
o Ambient service temperature range.
o Relative humidity range.
o UV exposure

Considering below categories:

1) Outdoor,
2) Indoor unconditioned,
3) Indoor conditioned

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 Safety of PV inverters
IEC 62109-1 – Safety of power converters for use in photovoltaic
power systems - Part 1: General requirements

PCE- Power Conversion Equipment

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 Safety of PV inverters
IEC 62109-2 – Safety of power converters for use in photovoltaic power systems -
Part 2: Particular requirements for inverters

This part of standards covers particular safety requirements

relevant to inverters:

o Minimum inverter isolation requirements

o Array ground insulation resistance measurement
o Array residual current detection

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Efficiency
Measurement of
PV Inverters

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 Safety of PV inverters
Maximum Power Points for PV Modules

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 Safety of PV inverters

EN 50530
The scope of the standard is to define the overall efficiency (ηt),
which includes both conversion efficiency and MPP-tracking
efficiency.

A grid-connected inverter consists of two main parts:

o The MPP-tracker, which has to draw always the maximum
available power PMPP from the array.
o The DC-AC converter, which has to convert the available DC
power to AC power as efficiently as possible.

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 Safety of PV inverters
EN 50530 – Overall efficiency of grid connected photovoltaic inverters

MPPT Conversion
Efficiency Efficiency

Overall Efficiency = MPPT Efficiency x Conversion Efficiency

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 Safety of PV inverters
EN 50530 – Overall efficiency of grid connected photovoltaic inverters

Test set-up

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 Safety of PV inverters
EN 50530 – Overall efficiency of grid connected photovoltaic inverters

Typical inve rte r e fficie ncy curve

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 Safety of PV inverters

European efficiency and CEC efficiency

1
𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸= × ∑31 0.03 × 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸5% + 0.06 × 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸10% + 0.13 × 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸20% + 0.10 × 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸30% + 0.48 × 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸50% + 0.20 × 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸100%
3
The ca lcula tions a re re pe a te d a nd a ve ra ge d a t (1) min input volta ge , (2) Nomina l volta ge , (3) ma x input volta ge

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 Certification Training Course

SESSION - 2: Design of a Solar PV Plant

1. The PV Systems Family
2. Sizing the PV Array
3. Effects of the Partial Shading
4. Safety of PV Inverters
5. Efficiency Measurement of PV Inverters

6. Standards on PV Connectors and PV Cables

7. Design Requirements and Safety of PV Systems
8. Lightning Main Issues
9. Further Standards
10. Electric Safety and PV Systems
11. PV Array Configuration
12. PV Arrays with a Pole Earthed
13. PV Earth Fault Detection and Alarm Requirements
Standards on PV
Connectors and
PV Cables

45
 Standards on PV connectors and PV cables
Standards EN 50521 and National Standards

• Connectors for use in photovoltaic systems with rated voltages up to 1000 V

DC and rated currents up to 125 A per contact

National
2 Pfg 1169/08.2007 and
standards EK 411.2.3 (DE)
CEI 20-91 (IT)
UTE C 32-502 (FR)
EA 0038 (SP)
JCS 4517:2010 (JP)
UL 854 use 2 or 4703
(US)
C22.2 No. 271-10 (CA)

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 Connection of PV modules

Junction box of PV modules

A junction box, ins ide which the le a ds of the P V ce ll s trings a re te rmina te d, is glue d on the
ba cks ide of the module . The box is provide d with ca ble s crimpe d with s uita ble conne ctors for
conne ction with othe r module s .
 Connection of PV modules

Solar Connectors

MC3 Connectors

Sunclix Connectors
Tyco Connectors

MC4 Connectors
 Connection of PV modules

Conne ction of P V module s

S e rie s Conne ction

Parallel Connection
Configuration of PV systems
 Standards on PV connectors and PV cables
Connectors for photovoltaic systems - Safety requirements and tests

Generally, standards apply to connectors of Class A PV modules with rated

volta ge up to 1000V DC a nd ra te d curre nts up to 125A pe r conta ct
• Conne ctors mus t be s uita ble for the dura ble outdoor us e in
a n a mbie nt te mpe ra ture a re a from –40 °C to +85 °C
• Conne ctors s ha ll be de s igne d a nd dime ns ione d to withs ta nd
the e le ctrica l, me cha nica l, the rma l, corros ive a nd s tre s s
ca us e d by the we a the r conditions which occur in the ir
inte nde d us e a nd pre s e nt no da nge r to the us e r or the
e nvironme nt
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