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Parallel PV Configuration with Magnetic-Free Switched Capacitor Module-Level Converters for Partial Shading Conditions
| Content Provider | MDPI |
|---|---|
| Author | Kampitsis, Georgios Batzelis, Efstratios Erp, Remco Van Matioli, Elison |
| Copyright Year | 2021 |
| Description | In this paper, a module-level photovoltaic (PV) architecture in parallel configuration is introduced for maximum power extraction, under partial shading (PS) conditions. For the first time, a non-regulated switched capacitor (SC) nX converter is a used at the PV-side conversion stage, whose purpose is just to multiply the PV voltage by a fixed ratio and accordingly reduce the input current. All the control functions, including the maximum power point tracking, are transferred to the grid-side inverter. The voltage-multiplied PV modules (VMPVs) are connected in parallel to a common DC-bus, which offers expandability to the system and eliminates the PS issues of a typical string architecture. The advantage of the proposed approach is that the PV-side converter is relieved of bulky capacitors, filters, controllers and voltage/current sensors, allowing for a more compact and efficient conversion stage, compared to conventional per-module systems, such as microinverters. The proposed configuration was initially simulated in a 5 kW residential PV system and compared against conventional PV arrangements. For the experimental validation, a 10X Gallium Nitride (GaN) converter prototype was developed with a flat conversion efficiency of 96.3% throughout the power range. This is particularly advantageous, given the power production variability of PV generators. Subsequently, the VMPV architecture was tested on a two-module 500 WP prototype, exhibiting an excellent power extraction efficiency of over 99.7% under PS conditions and minimal DC-bus voltage variation of 3%, leading to a higher total system efficiency compared to most state-of-the-art configurations. |
| Starting Page | 456 |
| e-ISSN | 19961073 |
| DOI | 10.3390/en14020456 |
| Journal | Energies |
| Issue Number | 2 |
| Volume Number | 14 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | MDPI |
| Publisher Date | 2021-01-15 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Energies Energy and Fuel Technology Gallium Nitride Magnetic-free Converters Module-level Converters Parallel Architecture Partial Shading Photovoltaic Systems Switched Capacitor Converters |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
