Title:	Performance Analysis of Shaded PV Module Power Electronic Systems
Author(s):	F.P. Baumgartner, R. Vogt, C. Allenspach, F. Carigiet
Keywords:	Performance, Measurement, Inverter, Power Electronics, Optimizer, MLPE
Topic:	Photovoltaic Modules and BoS Components
Subtopic:	Balance of System Components
Event:	38th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition
Session:	4CO.3.1
Pages:	650 - 654
ISBN:	3-936338-78-7
Paper DOI:	10.4229/EUPVSEC20212021-4CO.3.1
Price:	0,00 EUR
Document(s):	paper, presentation

Abstract/Summary:

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In the last decade decentralized Modul Level Power Electronics (MLPE) equipment has gained tremendous market share due to the potential to operate each Photovoltaic (PV) module in their optimum power point even in partial shading condition. The total losses of the group of decentralised DC/DC converter combined with the coupled centralised DC/AC inverter not always offer an advantage to the standard String Inverter System (SINV), like in the unshaded moments of high-power operation of a PV system at noon. The customer expects a clear answer about the quantified gain in annual power of a roof top system either operated by MLPE or SINV. Today, even the experienced planner is not able to elaborate these numbers in an economic efficient way. This is the case due to a lack of complex geometrical data of the shading obstacles and absence of software tools which are able to simulate the MLPE and SINV by calculating the shade of each solar cell in all PV modules together with an appropriate loss model of all used power electronic components. Up to know no standards exist to measure the set of MLPEs in the lab and the manufactures have not proposed detailed loss models up to now, whereas only max efficiency number of the MLPE are stated in their data sheets. This paper shows that detailed loss measurements performed in the lab, provided up to three percent higher losses of the MLPEs in the relevant operation area commonly used through a year of operation. It is recommended to use a very narrow range of numbers of MLPE in the string for high efficiency power conversion, due to the fact, that losses increase by 1.5% if the input/out voltage ratio of MLPE differ 5% from unity. A concept is presented to estimate the final so-called shading adaption efficiency which is based on the efficiency measurement of the MLPE in the indoor lab at a few operation points and by using weighting factors. Thus, the comparison of the shading adaption efficiency is given, either for different MLPEs or SINVs power electronic systems for a typical PV system with shading, relative to the same aggregated sum of maximum decentralised DC power at the PV Modules. Finally, one example of a tilt PV roof top system with partial shading of a chimney is given, were the standard SINV shows 1.2% percent higher losses estimated for a whole year of operation compared to a MLPE system. This value will change if the number of MLPE in the string is modified.