Innovative AC photovoltaic module system using series connection and universal low-voltage micro inverters

Photovoltaic micro inverters and AC photovoltaic module concepts were first commercially introduced in the 1990s. AC photovoltaic modules, also known as AC modules, combine a photovoltaic module with a micro inverter in a single integrated assembly. AC modules promise simpler system design, faster installation, improved safety, improved system reliability, and better energy harvest compared with photovoltaic systems using centralized sting inverters. Performance, cost, and output voltage range of conventional micro inverter technologies lag behind centralized string inverter technologies. A novel series connected, universal low-voltage micro inverter architecture for universal AC photovoltaic modules is proposed. The universal low-voltage micro inverter architecture provides micro inverter benefits at a cost and performance of string inverters enabling mainstream use of universal AC modules for distributed generation photovoltaic rooftop applications.