A study of DC-AC inverter optimization for photovoltaic power generation system

Traditionally, photovoltaic (PV) generating systems connect panels either in serial or parallel order prior to converting voltage using an inverter. The required capacity of an inverter increases in conjunction with the increasing scale of PV generating systems. This phenomenon increases overall system cost and prevents optimal power conversion; it also creates the risk of total system failure in the event of inverter malfunction. Consequently, using a structure in which each panel is paired with its own inverter, this paper proposes a combination algorithm (CA) to serve as the basis for converter switching. This algorithm increases the efficiency of the PV generating system, reduces risk of malfunction, and optimizes power distribution to inverters. In addition, if energy can be distributed to multiple inverters that switch on in sequence instead of simultaneously, the most efficient conversion of total energy will be enabled, increasing conversion efficiency. Modeling and field testing results show that increases in PV efficiency for low power output are highly significant. This study is an important reference for PV system designers during initial planning stages.