Temperature influence on photovoltaic power optimizer components reliability

Electronic components performances are influenced by many factors such as working conditions, load requirements, devices technologies, package types, ambient temperature, etc. In this paper a study of the temperature influence on components parameters in Distributed Maximum Power Point Tracking (DMPPT) converters is made. In photovoltaic systems a crucial task is represented by converters energetic efficiency and reliability. To this aim an important design step consists in the identification of electronic devices able to assure feasibility to the specific application in terms of voltage and current rates, thermal behaviour and ability to work without failure under stated conditions for a long period of time. An electro-thermal design method for photovoltaic power optimizer converters is presented. In addition, the reliability performances of a DMPPT Diode Rectification boost are evaluated for a temperature distribution graph typical of an installation site in the South Italy.