Introduction to Photovoltaic Inverter Laboratory

How can a PV inverter be used in a utility system?

Integrate PV inverters into utility supervisory control and data acquisition systems or AMI systems. Inverters could be tied into utility communications systems, which would issue a warning to inverters in sections of the utility isolated from the mains. Any available channel, such as BPL, DSL, or coax, could be used.

Can a PV inverter provide voltage regulation?

A PV inverter or the power conditioning systems of storage within a SEGIS could provide voltage regulation by sourcing or sinking reactive power. The literature search and utility engineer survey both indicated that this is a highly desirable feature for the SEGIS.

Can PV inverters fold back power production under high voltage?

Program PV inverters to fold back power production under high voltage. This approach has been investigated in Japan, and though it can reduce voltage rise, it is undesirable because it requires the PV array to be operated off its MPP, thus decreasing PV system efficiency and energy production.

Can inverter-tied storage systems integrate with distributed PV generation?

Identify inverter-tied storage systems that will integrate with distributed PV generation to allow intentional islanding (microgrids) and system optimization functions (ancillary services) to increase the economic competitiveness of distributed generation. 3.

Can PV inverters and power conditioning systems vary reactive power?

PV inverters and power conditioning systems could be used to vary reactive power, but current grid interconnection standards are not compatible with this function. The validation of voltage regulation using a large number of generators has not been demonstrated.

What are the benefits of a PV inverter?

Use energy storage. PV energy could be diverted from the utility line to a storage medium for later use when voltages are too high. The many benefits of energy storage are described elsewhere in this report. Use nonunity power factor operation to give PV inverters voltage control capability.