Past, Present and Future of grid connected Photovoltaic-and Hybrid-PowerSystems

bY
Dr. Mike Meinhardt and Gunter Cramer

SMA RegelsystemeGmbH, 34266 Niestetal, Germany

email: meinhardt@sma.de

1 Abstract

As a short introduction on the general development and forecast of world market in

Photovoltaics (Pv) are presented. The general classification introduces grid connected,
stand alone, large scale and roof-top PV-systems. The core of presentation concentrates on
the development and trends of converters for grid connected PV-Systems. The novel MultiString converter is introduced representing one of the major trends in PV system technology
towards modular PV-system design based on String converter technology with low specific
costs and optimal energy yield.
A brief excursion into the area of Hybrid Power Systems deals with the development of
Hybrid Power System Technology using some representative examples installed by SMA
around the world. As one of the future trends in that area a new bi-directional batteryconverter for a modularly-structuredhybrid power system technology is introduced.

Evolution of concepts for PV systems and PV converters

The development of grid connected PV system concepts and corresponding PV converter

topologies will be described briefly. Figure 7 gives an overview going form the early eighties
where research and demonstration PV-plants using line commutated SCR converters were
installed to the late nineties where String converters are regarded as state-of-the art of PVconverters. The characteristics (e.g. safety concept) of the transformerless String converter
will be described in a separate section.
For each of the different steps of the evolution of PV converters the requirements on PV

converters as well as the dominating converter topologies are presented. The changing
focus of R&D activities are described and the corresponding drivers and enablers for the
different steps are identified.

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Figure 7: Overview on the development of PV-converter topologies over the last 2 decades

3 Comparison of PV-System concepts used today

In general three different concepts of grid connected PV systems can be distinguished:
Central converter concept (plant-oriented), String converter concept (module-oriented) and
Module-integratedconverter concept. These concepts will be compared in respect to general
system structure, safety, energy yield, costs, operational behaviour, system aspects (e.g.
monitoring, maintainability ...). Figure 2 summarises the basic structures and features of the
different concepts.

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7

l--l

a.) plantoriented

c.) module-integrated

b.) moduleoriented

mn
ais-

- central converter

- connection in parallel
and/or in series on DC side
- one converter for the entire PV plant
(often devided into several units
organised in master-slaveconstellation)
- nominal power of converter up to
several MWp

- moduleorientedinverter
- several modules connected
in series on DC side
- converter power up to 2 kW
- parallel connection on AC side
- nominal power of PV plant up to
several MWp

- module integrated converter

- one converter per PV-module

(50 W...400 W)

- no DCcabling
- AC parallel connection
- central measure for mains
supervision necessary

Figure 2: Comparison of PV-system concepts

4 Technical realisation and features of String Converters

String converters can be regarded as state-of-the-art in (European) grid connected PVsystems. Therefore the main features of this type of converter (e.g. topology, technical
realisation, operational behaviour, safety concept, communication

...) will be described

briefly. Additionally the realisation of large-scale 1MWp roof-top PV power plant using
transformerless String converters will be presented.

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5 Trends in PV converters grid connected PV-Applications

The prediction of trends must be based on a sound knowledge of past and present. The
development and expected trends of PV converters concepts for grid connected applications
are given in Figure 3 where the use of different converter concepts for the realisation of PV
systems depending on the rated power is shown.
Further trends and requirements on future PV converters are:
0

Reduced specific cost of PV-converter below 0.5 $Mlp

Increase of nominal power of roof-top PV-systems beyond 3 kW
Increased functionality of Operational Control Units

Wireless media for communication means (e.g. GSM and DECT)

Modularity of PV-System components

Use of PV-converter as active filter in order to improve power quality

The new generation of PV converters will have to fulfill the above mentioned requirements in
addition to todays requirements (e.g. 20 years lifetime, efficiency above 95%, wide input
voltage range, local MPP-tracking, meeting EMC and safety standards).

The Multi-String converter will be described as one example for future PV converters.

severat
W P

50 kWp-

a
U

se
so0 wp-

50 Wp-

I990

1995

2000

.-

n*.

Figure 3: Development and trends of converter concepts for grid connected PV systems

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MultiString converter: the next step in evolution of String converters

The key to reduced specific converter costs is an increase of the PV-convertefs rated
power. Due to the limited voltage capacity of PV-modules it is not advisable (or possible) to
extend the rated power of the single strings just by connecting more PV-modules to the PVstring. On the other hand the particular advantages of the string technology are lost by
connecting strings in parallel in order to increase the rated power of the converter.

As shown in Figure 4 the Multi-String converter is a symbiosis of the two main competitors in
PV system technology: the central converter and String converter. The Multi-String converter
comprises the advantages of both concepts.

String Converter
/.---.-*
0'

I rated power of a

Central PV Converter

. '.

&e--- \

converter unit is limited '\

to approx. 2 kW

\
1
\

'
/

+ cost reduction in PVsystem technology

,!'1

- losses due to

'

missmatch of PVmodules
\
costly DC-installation
I
I
I
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I

low specific
converter costs

Multi-String Converter

Figure 4: Multi-String converter as a symbiosis of String converter and central converter

Figure 5 depicts the basic structure of the Multi-String converter consisting of several
modularly extendable DC/DC-converters each connected to one common inverter.
Since each DC/DC-converter is assigned to a single string of PV-Modules it is possible to
dedicate a specific MPP-Controller to each of the strings. Thus an optimal energy yield can
be obtained by using Multi-String converters especially in PV-systems having strings with
different operation conditions (e.g. shading effects, orientation).
Due to enhanced capacity of the operational control unit the Multi-String converter can be
used additionally for active compensation of harmonics and reactive power in order to
improve the power quality. Additional options will include extended communication
capabilities with the owner or operator of the PV system by DECT or GSM.

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(galvanic isolation
optional)

Figure 5: Basic structure of the Multi-String Converter

Trends in converters for Hybrid Power Systems

Based on SMA's long term experience in design and installation of Hybrid Power Systems all
around the world the presentation will show the development of Hybrid Power Systems.
Some representative examples will be presented very briefly covering Hybrid Power Systems
with rated powers from 20 kW up to several MW comprising Hydro-, Photovoltaic- , Windand Diesel-components.
The trend towards modularly-structured power supply systems lead to the development of
new battery converter with the ability to operate in island-type grids, parallel to the grid, with
bi-directional power flow. The basics of the technical realisation and the main features of this
high efficiency converter with intelligent operational control (e.g. for long lifetime of the
battery, well-adjusted charge and discharge control, temperature control) will be presented.

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