High-Power Solar Inverter Efficiency Measurements by Calorimetric and Electric Methods

Author

Aarniovuori, L. ; Kosonen, A. ; SillanpaÌˆaÌˆ, P. ; NiemelaÌˆ, M.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. Eng., Lappeenranta Univ. of Technol., Lappeenranta, Finland

Volume

28

Issue

6

fYear

2013

fDate

Jun-13

Firstpage

2798

Lastpage

2805

Abstract

In this paper, the results of a European efficiency measurement for a 250-kW high-efficiency grid-connected solar inverter are presented. The efficiency measurements are performed both by electrical input-output and calorimetric methods. Two measurement series with input voltage levels of 500 and 750 VDC are carried out. An open- and balance-type calorimeter system that can measure power losses up to 30 kW is introduced and verified by resistor tests. The measurement results and their uncertainty are analyzed and discussed.

Keywords

calorimetry; invertors; power grids; power system measurement; solar power stations; European efficiency measurement; balance-type calorimeter system; calorimetric method; electrical input-output methods; high-efficiency grid-connected solar inverter; high-power solar inverter efficiency measurements; open-type calorimeter system; power 250 kW; resistor tests; voltage 500 V; voltage 750 V; Current measurement; Heating; Inverters; Loss measurement; Power measurement; Temperature measurement; Uncertainty; Calorimetry; converters; efficiency; measurement; photovoltaic (PV);

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Power Electronics, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0885-8993

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TPEL.2012.2221166

Filename

6316179