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©Denis Lenardic
2001-2010
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Thursday
11th Mar, 2010
07:02
This page was last time updated on
7th Mar, 2010
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Inverters
"When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; When health is lost, something is lost;
When character is lost, all is lost."
(German proverb)
Photovoltaic inverters produced by Siemens
(courtesy:
Siemens).
Inverters are used for DC voltage to AC voltage conversion. According to output voltage form they could be rectangle, trapezoid or sine shaped. The most expensive, yet at the same time the best quality inverters, output voltage in sine wave. Inverter input voltage depends on inverter power, for small power of some 100 W the voltage is 12 or 24 V, and 48 V or even more for higher powers. Large inverters could be connected in parallel when higher powers are required. For large systems 3-phase inverters are available in the market. Inverters connecting a PV system and the public grid are purposefully designed, allowing energy transfers to and from the public grid. According to working principle we have many different types of inverters, such as central inverters for wide power range from 1 kW to up to 100 kW or even more, string inverters and module inverters. Central inverters are used in large applications. Many times they can be connected according to the "master-slave" criteria, when the succeeding inverter switches on only when enough solar radiation is available or in case of main inverter malfunction. Inverters connected to module strings are used in wide power range applications allowing for more reliable operation. Module inverters are used in small photovoltaic systems. Such solutions are applicable to larger systems, however, in practice cheaper, and less reliable solution of central inverter or string inverters are used. Special design inverters are available for the purposes of hybrid systems. In most cases a powerful inverter includes charge regulator electronics, and not only the inverter. Modern inverters are the most sophisticated electronic devices implemented in photovoltaic systems. On top of high reliable electronics, which must be used, great care should also be taken on lightning protection. Inverters are based on microprocessor circuits, classic or RISC, and on power MOS or IGBT transistors.
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Inverters - features and applications |
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Technical parameters
Rated DC voltage - VDC
η = PAC / PDC
To make comparison of different inverters and/or inverters that are operating under
different climatic conditions possible, "Euro η" efficiency was defined:
ηEURO = 0.03×η5% +
0.06×η10% +
0.13×η20% +
0.1×η30%
0.48×η50% +
0.2×η100%
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Inverter technologies
More about inverter technologies
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Inverters - interconnection and control |
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Test reports available on-line |
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Several comprehensive test reports are available on-line. For detailed test reports about some Fronius, SMA, Sputnik and Sunways inverters
please visit web site of PV Labor der HTI Bern, Switzerland. Reports are available as pdf files (about 70 pages each)
in german language. |
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SMA: |
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Solar-Fabrik: |
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Sunways: |
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Sputnik Engineering: |
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On-Line available configuration tools |
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SINVERT Select - SINVERT Select is a dimensioning program for determining the best possible configuration for a PV system with Siemens SINVERT inverters. The program calculates all the meaningful combinations for most of the PV modules available on the market together with the SINVERT inverters from Siemens, and it helps to evaluate and optimize the calculated combinations in a simple and comprehensible way. Languages:
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Sunny Design - Software for easy design of PV power plants. Languages:
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Fronius Configurator - xls sheet for photovoltaic system configuration using Fronius inverters. Languages:
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KacoCalc PRO - PV-Modul Auslegungsprogramm für KACO Wechselrichter. Languages:
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MaxDesign - MaxDesign is a software for PV plants - where SolarMax (Sputnik Engineering) inverters are used - configuration. Available as ZIP or self extract exe file. Languages:
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Profiplan Wechselrichter-Auslegungsprogramm - xls sheet for configuring photovoltaic system using inverters produced by Solar Fabrik AG (german language). Languages:
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PV system design calculator - xls sheet for configuring photovoltaic system using Mastervolt inverters. Languages:
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Conergy sizer - the Conergy Sizer is a user-friendly system configuration program for installers and planners. This software is an efficient tool for finding the appropriate inverters for a planned photovoltaic system. Languages:
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GT Series String Sizing Tool - on-line sizing tool for grid-connected photovoltaic systems with Xantrex GridTie invertres. Languages:
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Inverters - companies |
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Siemens - a solar power pioneer. With over 25 years experience Siemens producing and offers PV Inverter in over 20 power ranges, junction boxes, monitoring software, container solutions, medium voltage transformers and switches. Languages:
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SMA - SMA Solar Technology AG has been successfully producing industrial computers, photovoltaic (PV) inverters, and energy supply systems for 20 years. Languages:
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Conergy - produces inverters, modules and mounting structures. Languages:
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Fronius - Fronius has been engaged in solar electronics since 1992, in particular in the development and production of photovoltaic inverters for both grid-connected and independent power supplies. Languages:
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SolarEdge Technologies - SolarEdge provides next generation power conversion electronics that effectively remove the known system constraints across the photovoltaic energy space. Smart DC ASIC technology and active electronics enable increased production of clean, grid-ready energy at a lower cost per watt than any other competitive offering. Languages:
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Solar Max - Inverters produced by Sputnik Engineering. Languages:
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Elettronica Santerno - Elettronica Santerno S.p.A., a worldwide leading company in designing and manufacturing drives, electric motors and frequency converters for industrial automation and solar inverters for renewable energies. Languages:
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Kaco new energy - KACO new energy is a powerful partner for system solutions in the field of current inverters, power electronics and photovoltaics. Languages:
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PV Powered - Headquartered in Bend, Oregon, PV Powered designs, manufactures and markets utility interactive photovoltaic inverters for the renewable energy marketplace. PV Powered's one-of-a-kind StarInverter product line offers PV solutions for the residential and commercial markets. Languages:
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Xantrex - Xantrex Technology develops, manufactures and markets advanced power electronic products. The Xantrex's products convert raw electrical power from any central, distributed, or backup power source into high-quality power required by electronic and electrical equipment. Languages:
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AnswerDrives - The AnswerDrives SolarGate inverter family has expressly been projected to convert the direct current electric energy made by photovoltaic panel, in alternating current, for the directly introduction in the electric net. Languages:
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OutBack Power Systems - OutBack Power Systems is an engineer-owned, customer focused, power systems equipment manufacturer. Languages:
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Mastervolt - Mastervolt is one of the leading manufactures of high quality electrical systems for marine, mobile, industrial and solar applications in Europe and beyond. Languages:
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power one - Magnetek, Inc. produces power control products and systems for communications, data processing and storage, medical electronics, consumer products, industrial automation, transportation, energy management and other applications. Languages:
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Centrosolar - inverter series ranging from 1 to 6 kW, using the latest technology. Languages:
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Panelektron - Company Panelektron located in Hungary produces sine wave inverters, solar charge controllers, switch mode power converters, mains battery chargers and other electronic equipment. Languages:
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Grupo Ingeteam - Ingeteam Group is made up of 26 companies, all of which are at the technological forefront in their respective areas. Languages:
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Inverters - research topics |
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PV Labor der HTI Bern - PV laboratory was founded in 1988 and focuses on PV system technology, mostly on grid-connected PV systems, but also on stand alone systems. The laboratory is active in education and in research and development. Languages:
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Inverters - electronics, application notes |
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Texas Instruments - Solar Power Inverters DSC application notes for power inverters. Languages:
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Literature and more information |
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Mathematical background and new sollutions |
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Zacharias, P. (Editor): Use of Electronic-Based Power Conversion for Distributed and
Renewable Energy Sources, ISET Kassel, 2008.