Optimal sizing of PV power plant using sizing ratio for powering critical load with parallel redundant architecture

This paper proposes a method to determine optimal size of PV array for standalone PV system feeding critical load with parallel redundant power architecture, at a desired loss of power probability (LOPP) using PV-to-Inverter sizing ratio, and studies the effect of starting current on sizing and performance of PV power plant. Meteorological data and load details are used for calculating the relative size of photovoltaic (PV) array in a bottom up approach for different PV/inverter sizing ratios from 0.5 to 1.5 while keeping inverter rated capacity constant. The analysis shows that the starting load current capability of inverter has significant effect on PV-to-Inverter sizing ratio and Performance Ratio (PR) of the system.