Title :
Low cost DC to AC converter for photovoltaic power conversion in residential applications
Author :
Herrmann, U. ; Langer, Hans Georg ; Van der Broeck, Heinz
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Power Electron. & Electr. Drives, Aachen Univ. of Technol., Germany
Abstract :
The development and experimental results of a low-cost 500-W DC-AC power converter for photovoltaic power conversion in residential applications are described. The converter uses low-cost technology usually applied in consumer products. The DC-AC converter is specially designed for operation at a wide DC input voltage range (30-170 V) in order to allow optimal power conversion with an arbitrary number of series connected solar arrays. A step-up chopper is used for MPP tracking and provides a constant 200-V DC link for the following push-pull power converter. This galvanic isolating power converter operates at 100 kHz and controls the current in the mains sinusoidally. A thyristor bridge alternates the current after each half line period. The required auxiliary power is kept below 7 W and is taken from the choke of the step-up chopper
Keywords :
DC-AC power convertors; bridge circuits; choppers (circuits); domestic appliances; invertors; optimal control; photovoltaic power systems; solar cell arrays; solar cells; thyristor convertors; 100 kHz; 200 V; 30 to 170 V; 500 W; DC input voltage range; DC-AC power converter; choke; galvanic isolating power converter operates; half line period; maximum power point tracking; optimal power conversion; photovoltaic power conversion; push-pull power converter; residential applications; series connected solar arrays; step-up chopper; thyristor bridge; Analog-digital conversion; Choppers; Consumer products; Costs; Galvanizing; Photovoltaic systems; Power conversion; Solar power generation; Thyristors; Voltage;
Conference_Titel :
Power Electronics Specialists Conference, 1993. PESC '93 Record., 24th Annual IEEE
Conference_Location :
Seattle, WA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-1243-0
DOI :
10.1109/PESC.1993.471986
