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I.
INTRODUCTION
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When PV modules are electrically connected, nonuniform shading or fault conditions on only small portion of
the modules could affect their overall performance [11]. To
better study the fault scenarios in the PV array, the simulated
PV system is capable of studying ground faults, line-line
faults and mismatches among modules. More importantly,
the MPPT (e.g. Perturb & Observe, P&O) of the inverter is
included for fault analysis in PV arrays. The research results
show that the MPPT might keep optimizing output power of
a PV array (system) for given environmental conditions and
array configurations (normal or faulted). Therefore, instead
of a fixed value, fault current may be reduced by the
response of the MPPT during fault. This is further validated
experimentally in this paper with a small-scale PV test
system.
A.
String 2
GFPD
Centralized inverter
Utility
grid
OCPD
I1
I2
In-1
Gsys
In
Ineg
Module 1
Module 2
Ig
Vsys
PV module
Module m-1
Module m
_
Figure 1. Schematic diagram of a typical PV system
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Ipos
String 1
String 2
String 9
I1
I2
I9
Ineg
MPP2
2000
OC1 VMPP1
, 0)
(V
OC1
rev
50
50
100
100
150
150
200
250
200
250
Array voltage V
sys
300
300
(V)
= -1.9I
350
350
Ig
-2000
sc
400
400
450
450
PV module
Ifault
Series fuse for
overcurrent protection
F2
MPP1
MPP2
Vsys
F1
MPP2
Gsys
I10
00
Fuse 1
Irev
-2
Utility
grid
String 10
4000
PMPP1
Centralized inverter
GFPD
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After the fault, the MPPT will detect the sudden power
drop of the PV array and begin to optimize the arrays output
power (Psys). As a result, in order to increase Psys, the
operating voltage of the array (Vsys) will be reduced.
Following the arrows drawn in Fig. 4, the optimal working
point will move to MPP2 on the I-V curve eventually. Notice
the PV array has a much reduced Psys at MPP2 compared
with the normal condition at MPP1.
(a)
-1
-2
-3
String #1 current
Peak -1.9Isc
6
10
12
Time(hour)
14
18
Peak 2.17Isc
Ifault/Isc
16
(b)
0
-1
-2
10
12
Time(hour)
14
16
18
Figure 6. Fault evolution during a cloudy day: (a) String #1 current, (b)
the line-line fault current
E. Discussion
The same line-line fault has been simulated under high
irradiance as well. Under 1000W/m2, the peak of |Irev| can
reach as high as 4.2Isc, which is much larger than minimum
interrupting current of fuses (2.1Isc). Therefore, given current
vs. melting time characteristics of fuses, the same line-line
fault has a much larger chance to be cleared under high
irradiance than low irradiance.
IV.
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String 1
Blocking
Vd1 diode 1
+
+
Ipos
+
String 2
String 9
Irev=0
Utility
grid
String 10
Gsys
Fuse 1
I1
Centralized inverter
GFPD
I2
I9
Ineg
I10
Ig
Vsys
F1
PV module
Vstring1
Ifault
F2
Blocking diodes in PV
string
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B. Discussion
The results of I-V curve analysis in this particular case
have been summarized in Table I and discussed as follows.
TABLE I.
Case
Operating Point
Status of PV array
Fault cleared
by OCPDs?
MPP
Peak of
Irev
N/A
N
(17.6kW)
N/A
Faulted PV array
with blocking diode
No
F1
(16kW)
No
F2
(12.8kW)
4.2Isc
Yes
F1
(16kW)
4.2Isc
Faulted PV array
without
blocking
diode
Faulted PV array
without
blocking
diode (fault has been
cleared by OCPDs)
V.
EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION
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Line-line fault
String 1
String 2
Ipos
+ String 5
String 6
I5
I6
GFPD
Centralized inverter
Utility
grid
Irev
I2
I1
F1
Ifault
Vsys
Ineg
PV module
F2
PARAMETERS OF PV COMPONENTS
t1
Parameters
Equipment
Type
PV module
Power Film R7
(amorphous
silicon)
Gridconnected
inverter
Enphase
microinverter
M190
Detailed parameters
At
STC:
Voc=21.4V,
Isc=0.58A,
Vmpp=15.8V,
Impp=0.48A, Pmpp=7.5W
Max. output power 190W,
min. start voltage: 28V;
MPPT voltage range: 22 ~
40V
Figure 14. Experiments: Vsys, Isys and I1 at line-line fault under low
irradiance
t1
Figure 15. Experiments: Vsys and I1 at line-line fault in the PV system with
blocking diodes
VI.
t1
Figure 13. Experiments: Vsys and I1 at line-line fault under low irradiance
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[5]
[6]
[7]
[11]
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
[12]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[13]
[14]
[15]
REFERENCES
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[16]
[17]
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