TY - GEN
T1 - Novel inverter technology reduces utility-scale PV system costs
AU - Schmalzel, J.
AU - Jansson, P.
AU - Schmalzel, D.
AU - Schwabe, U.
AU - Fishman, O.
PY - 2011/12/1
Y1 - 2011/12/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84861057871&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1109/PVSC.2011.6186316
DO - 10.1109/PVSC.2011.6186316
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84861057871
SN - 9781424499656
T3 - Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
SP - 1869
EP - 1871
BT - Program - 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011
T2 - 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011
Y2 - 19 June 2011 through 24 June 2011
ER -