University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Reliability analysis of single-phase photovoltaic inverters with reactive power support

Murray, Charles J.

Content Files
1_Murray_Charles.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/17012

Description

Title
Reliability analysis of single-phase photovoltaic inverters with reactive power support
Author(s)
Murray, Charles J.
Issue Date
2010-08-31T20:04:08Z
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Chapman, Patrick L.
Department of Study
Electrical & Computer Eng
Discipline
Electrical & Computer Engr
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Date of Ingest
2010-08-31T20:04:08Z
Keyword(s)
  • Photovoltaic Inverters
  • Reactive Power Support
  • Reliability of Photovoltaic Inverters
  • Single Phase Reactive Power Support
Abstract
Reactive power support is expected to be an emerging ancillary requirement for single-phase photovoltaic (PV) inverters. This work assesses related reliability issues and focuses on the second stage or inversion process in PV inverters. Three PV inverter topologies are analyzed and their reliability is determined on a component-by-component level. Limiting operating points are considered for each of these topologies. The capacitor in the dc link, the MOSFETs in the inverting bridge, and the output filter are the components affected. Studies show that varying power-factor operation with a constant real power output increases the energy storage requirement as well as the capacitance required in the dc link in order to produce the double-frequency power ripple. The overall current rating of the MOSFETs and output filter must also be sized to accommodate the current for the apparent power output. Modeling of the inverter verifies the conditions for each of the components under varying reactive power support commands. It is shown that the production of reactive power can significantly increase the capacitance requirement, but the limiting reliability issue comes from the increased output current rating of the MOSFETs.
Graduation Semester
2010-08
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/17012
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2010 Charles J. Murray

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