Cascaded DC-DC converter connection of photovoltaic modules

New residential scale photovoltaic (PV) arrays are commonly connected to the grid by a single dc-ac inverter connected to a series string of pv panels, or many small dc-ac inverters which connect one or two panels directly to the ac grid. This paper proposes an alternative topology of nonisolated pe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE transactions on power electronics 2004-07, Vol.19 (4), p.1130-1139
Main Authors: Walker, G.R., Sernia, P.C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Batteries
Connectors
Converters
Costs
Fuel cells
Inverters
Low voltage
Matlab
Panels
Photovoltaic cells
Photovoltaic systems
Power electronics
Power systems
Solar cells
Solar power generation
Strings
Topology
Tracking control systems
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Summary:New residential scale photovoltaic (PV) arrays are commonly connected to the grid by a single dc-ac inverter connected to a series string of pv panels, or many small dc-ac inverters which connect one or two panels directly to the ac grid. This paper proposes an alternative topology of nonisolated per-panel dc-dc converters connected in series to create a high voltage string connected to a simplified dc-ac inverter. This offers the advantages of a "converter-per-panel" approach without the cost or efficiency penalties of individual dc-ac grid connected inverters. Buck, boost, buck-boost, and Cu/spl acute/k converters are considered as possible dc-dc converters that can be cascaded. Matlab simulations are used to compare the efficiency of each topology as well as evaluating the benefits of increasing cost and complexity. The buck and then boost converters are shown to be the most efficient topologies for a given cost, with the buck best suited for long strings and the boost for short strings. While flexible in voltage ranges, buck-boost, and Cu/spl acute/k converters are always at an efficiency or alternatively cost disadvantage.
ISSN:0885-8993
1941-0107
DOI:10.1109/TPEL.2004.830090