Novel inverter technology reduces utility-scale PV system costs

J. Schmalzel; P. Jansson; D. Schmalzel; U. Schwabe; O. Fishman

doi:10.1109/PVSC.2011.6186316

Novel inverter technology reduces utility-scale PV system costs

J. Schmalzel, P. Jansson, D. Schmalzel, U. Schwabe, O. Fishman

Electrical Engineering

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Total PV system design and installation costs can be lowered if key architectural elements can be changed. This paper describes a new grid-tie inverter technology that has two major elements. First, the DC outputs of PV modules are aggregated through an element termed a solar power optimizer and transmitter (SPOT), which produces a 2.5kV output. In turn, SPOT outputs are connected to a novel inverter architecture. Termed a regulated current source inverter (RCSI), the advantages of the new inverter include lower switching speeds and corresponding losses, which makes it practical to scale up to the MW levels needed for utility-scale PV generation plants. The potential impact of the new approach is assessed by comparing costs for a nominal 10MW plant using existing inverters based on pulse width modulation schemes and costs based on the novel technology.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	Program - 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011
Pages	1869-1871
Number of pages	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC.2011.6186316
Publication status	Published - Dec 1 2011
Event	37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011 - Seattle, WA, United States Duration: Jun 19 2011 → Jun 24 2011

Publication series

Name	Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
ISSN (Print)	0160-8371

Other

Other	37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011
Country	United States
City	Seattle, WA
Period	6/19/11 → 6/24/11

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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Control and Systems Engineering
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Cite this

Schmalzel, J., Jansson, P., Schmalzel, D., Schwabe, U., & Fishman, O. (2011). Novel inverter technology reduces utility-scale PV system costs. In Program - 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011 (pp. 1869-1871). [6186316] (Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference). https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC.2011.6186316

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Schmalzel, J, Jansson, P, Schmalzel, D, Schwabe, U & Fishman, O 2011, Novel inverter technology reduces utility-scale PV system costs. in Program - 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011., 6186316, Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, pp. 1869-1871, 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011, Seattle, WA, United States, 6/19/11. https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC.2011.6186316

Novel inverter technology reduces utility-scale PV system costs. / Schmalzel, J.; Jansson, P.; Schmalzel, D.; Schwabe, U.; Fishman, O.

Program - 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011. 2011. p. 1869-1871 6186316 (Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

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Access to Document

10.1109/PVSC.2011.6186316