<p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p>Concentrator photovoltaics have demonstrated greater solar energy production efficiency than previous solar electric technologies.  However, recent research reveals that heat management is a significant difficulty in CPV systems, and if left unaddressed, it can have a severe influence on system efficiency and lifetime. Traditional CPV cooling relies on active methods such as forced air convection, or liquid cooling, which might lead to an extremely large parasitic power use. In addition, the moving parts of a cooling system result in a shorter lifespan and higher maintenance expenses. </p> <p><br></p> <p>CPV systems can boost their efficiency and lifespan by adopting passive cooling solutions. This work employed radiative cooling and natural convection to construct an efficient and cost-effective cooling system. The excess heat of a solar cell can be dispersed into space via electromagnetic waves via radiative cooling. Due to the fact that the radiative cooling power is related to the difference between the fourth powers of the solar cell and the ambient temperature, much greater cooling powers can be obtained at higher temperatures. Heat pipes were installed to act as a heat pump by transferring excessive heat from solar cells within a system to the exterior, where it can be dissipated via natural air cooling and thermal radiation. Experiments conducted in this study demonstrate that a temperature reduction of 21 ◦C was accomplished through radiative cooling and natural convection, resulting in an increase of 64 mV, or 17% in the open-circuit voltage of a GaSb solar cell.</p>

The advent of new technology and ever-escalating fuel prices would make alternative energy sources increasingly important in coming years. This study is aimed to develop the tools required to analyze the feasibility of alternate energy sources. Although the study refers specifically to solar energy, the methodology is good for any alternative energy source. Four models are used to analyze complete performance of a photovoltaic(PV) system. The SOLAR model estimates the total radiation at a site. The PVPM model calculates the PV output for this total radiation. The PRODCOST and LIFECC models analyze the economic performance of the photovoltaic system. This works as a complete package which by itself will help to make preliminary analysis of various sites before making a further in-depth study for a selected few. The model is intended to be a part of a larger model, which will be a complete planning tool for power system expansion in developing countries. The efforts towards this direction can be continued further by developing various models, each analyzing a special task. The models can be integrated to form a hierarchical structure which completely models the power system in developing countries. / M.S.

This thesis introduces a new photovoltaic (PV) system architecture employing low voltage parallel-connected PV panels interfaced to a high voltage regulated DC bus of a three-phase grid-tied inverter. The concept provides several improvements over existing technologies in terms of cost, safety, reliability, and modularity. A novel resonant mode DC-DC boost converter topology is proposed to enable the PV modules to deliver power to the fixed DC bus. The topology offers high step-up capabilities and a nearly constant efficiency over a wide operating range. A reduced sensor maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller is developed for the converter to maximize energy harvesting of the PV panels. The reduced sensor algorithm can be generally applied to the class of converters employing pulse frequency modulation control. A ZigBee wireless communication system is implemented to provide advanced control, monitoring and protection features. A testbench for a low cost 500 $W$ smart microconverter is designed and implemented, demonstrating the viability of the system architecture.

This thesis introduces a new photovoltaic (PV) system architecture employing low voltage parallel-connected PV panels interfaced to a high voltage regulated DC bus of a three-phase grid-tied inverter. The concept provides several improvements over existing technologies in terms of cost, safety, reliability, and modularity. A novel resonant mode DC-DC boost converter topology is proposed to enable the PV modules to deliver power to the fixed DC bus. The topology offers high step-up capabilities and a nearly constant efficiency over a wide operating range. A reduced sensor maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller is developed for the converter to maximize energy harvesting of the PV panels. The reduced sensor algorithm can be generally applied to the class of converters employing pulse frequency modulation control. A ZigBee wireless communication system is implemented to provide advanced control, monitoring and protection features. A testbench for a low cost 500 $W$ smart microconverter is designed and implemented, demonstrating the viability of the system architecture.

Dissertation (DTech(Electrical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012 / The confluence of the limited resources of fossil fuels (e.g. coal, oil and natural gas), environmental degradations leading to climate change, security of supplies and fossil fuels high costs have demanded a tremendous efforts on humanity to seek for a sustainable and unlimited natural energy sources. Amongst these renewable energy sources stands out solar energy because of its ubiquitousness. Solar energy is converted to DC electricity by the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic (PV) power systems installed in commercial and industrial buildings are a good example of distributed power generation. Here the energy consumption and production match and thus electricity taken from the grid during daytime peak hours can be reduced. This is beneficial as the transmission losses in the grid are avoided and also transmission need is reduced. The cost effectiveness of a solar energy system has hindered its wide adoption and deployment in terms of the initial capital cost even though it has a zero energy cost and very minimal operating and maintenance costs. Different governments have instituted many financial incentives for fast adoption of PV systems for both residential and commercial applications. However, all these incentives are not sustainable in the longer term forecast. For PV system to attain grid parity requires more than unsustainable approach of many governments providing time limited subsidies. The technical solution to the problem is to reduce the overall system cost through technical innovations. One such method is the adoption of transformerless inverter technology as the grid interface system. Transformerless inverter topology provides galvanic isolation through innovative inverter topology and switching strategies that eliminates problems created by not employing the service of transformer.

Os sistemas fotovoltaicos tem se difundido mundialmente como uma tecnologia de energia limpa que pode ser utilizada na maior parte do planeta Terra. Isto o torna um sistema muito interessante para geração distribuída. A peça fundamental para o aproveitamento da energia fotovoltaica na geração distribuída é o inversor conectado a rede elétrica. Assim o rendimento deste equipamento influencia diretamente no aproveitamento da energia gerada pelos painéis fotovoltaicos e consequentemente no tempo em que o sistema se paga. O comportamento sazonal da geração de energia, onde o inversor trabalha na maior parte do tempo entre 10% e 90% da capacidade, principalmente em sistemas sem rastreamento, não permite que o inversor seja avaliado somente pelo seu rendimento em plena carga, mas pela curva de rendimento completa em toda faixa de operação. O método proposto para a melhora do rendimento do sistema em baixas potências é a utilização de inversores de baixa potência conectados a rede elétrica em paralelo trabalhando de maneira escalonada. Assim, em baixas potências o rendimento é mais elevado que se fosse utilizado um único inversor. Neste trabalho são avaliados também as consequências do paralelismo na taxa de distorção harmônica da corrente e as vantagens de ampliação na vida útil dos equipamentos e o recurso de redundância. Foram implementados 4 inversores de 300W de saída, na topologia ponte completa com frequência de comutação e amostragem de 21,6kHz, controlados cada um por um DSC 56F8014 da Freescale, e um dispositivo para monitoração dos inversores utilizando um microcontrolador PIC18F4520. Todos os dispositivos possuem interface de comunicação UART isolada com protocolo LIN. Os inversores foram testados em operação com modo de compartilhamento de potência contínuo, onde todos os inversores operam com parcelas identicas de potência, e no modo escalonado, onde os inversores entram em operação sob a demanda da potência a ser processada. Os resultados apresentam uma melhora de 3,7% no rendimento entre o sistema de compartilhamento de potência contínuo e escalonado, avaliados pelo rendimento ponderado do sistema (IEC-61836). / Photovoltaic systems have been spreading globally as a clean energy technology that can be used in most of the planet Earth. This makes it a very interesting system for distributed generation. The key to the use of photovoltaics in distributed generation inverter is connected to the power grid. Thus the performance of this equipment directly influences the use of energy generated by the photovoltaic panels and consequently the time that the system pays for itself. The seasonal behavior of power generation, where the drive works most of the time between 10% and 90% of capacity, especially in systems without tracking, does not allow the drive to be evaluated not only by their performance at full load, but the full yield curve throughout the operating range. The proposed method improves the system performance at low power is the use of low power inverters connected in parallel to mains electricity working in installments. Thus, in the low power output is higher than if a single drive were used. This work also evaluated the consequences of parallelism in the rate of harmonic current distortion and benefits of expanding the life of the equipment and the use of redundancy . We implemented four inverters 300W output full bridge topology with switching frequency of 21.6 kHz and sampling, each controlled by a Freescale 56F8014 DSC, and a device for monitoring the inverters using a PIC18F4520 microcontroler. All devices have isolated communication interface UART with LIN protocol. The inverters were tested in operation mode continuous power sharing , where all the inverters operate with identical plots power, and staggered where the inverters come into operation upon the demand of power being processed. The results show an improvement of 3,7% in revenue sharing system between the power and continued staggered valued at weighted yield of the system (IEC-61836). / 5000

Neste trabalho é proposto o desenvolvimento de um novo microinversor de estágio único para aplicação em sistemas fotovoltaicos. A topologia apresentada é baseada na combinação do conversor Cuk com uma estrutura de indutores chaveados para obtenção de um maior ganho estático e um circuito inversor em ponte completa conectado à rede. A estrutura de indutores chaveados apresentada nesse trabalho reduz esforços de tensão e corrente nas chaves semicondutoras. Com o objetivo de facilitar o controle, a etapa CC do microinversor opera em modo de condução descontínua (DCM). Para injetar corrente senoidal com baixa distorção harmônica à rede, é aplicado às chaves semicondutoras da etapa CC uma modulação por largura de pulso senoidal (SPWM). As chaves semicondutoras do circuito inversor em ponte completa são comandadas na frequência da rede, reduzindo perdas por chaveamento. Por se tratar de uma topologia inédita, são apresentados os modos de operação e a análise matemática do conversor CC-CC Cuk com alto ganho estático. Posteriormente, são realizadas a análise teórica e a estratégia de controle do microinversor proposto. Os resultados experimentais são expostos para discutir o funcionamento da topologia proposta, através de simulações e da implementação de um protótipo de 180 W. / The development of a novel single stage microinverter is proposed. The presented topology is based on the combination of the Cuk converter with a switched inductor structure to obtain a higher static gain, and a full-bridge inverter circuit. The presented switched inductor structure reduces voltage and current stresses on the power switches. In order of simplify the control, the stage CC of the microinverter operate in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). To inject sinusoidal current with low harmonic distortion to the grid, a sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM) is applied in the power switches. The switches of the full-bridge invertes are commanded in low frequency, in order to reduce switching losses. Operation modes and math analysis of the novel CC-CC converter are presented. Moreover, the math analysis and control strategy of proposed microinverter topology are exposed. Furthermore, experimental results are performed to analyze the proposed topology operation, by software simulations and implementation of a 180 W prototype.

Os sistemas fotovoltaicos tem se difundido mundialmente como uma tecnologia de energia limpa que pode ser utilizada na maior parte do planeta Terra. Isto o torna um sistema muito interessante para geração distribuída. A peça fundamental para o aproveitamento da energia fotovoltaica na geração distribuída é o inversor conectado a rede elétrica. Assim o rendimento deste equipamento influencia diretamente no aproveitamento da energia gerada pelos painéis fotovoltaicos e consequentemente no tempo em que o sistema se paga. O comportamento sazonal da geração de energia, onde o inversor trabalha na maior parte do tempo entre 10% e 90% da capacidade, principalmente em sistemas sem rastreamento, não permite que o inversor seja avaliado somente pelo seu rendimento em plena carga, mas pela curva de rendimento completa em toda faixa de operação. O método proposto para a melhora do rendimento do sistema em baixas potências é a utilização de inversores de baixa potência conectados a rede elétrica em paralelo trabalhando de maneira escalonada. Assim, em baixas potências o rendimento é mais elevado que se fosse utilizado um único inversor. Neste trabalho são avaliados também as consequências do paralelismo na taxa de distorção harmônica da corrente e as vantagens de ampliação na vida útil dos equipamentos e o recurso de redundância. Foram implementados 4 inversores de 300W de saída, na topologia ponte completa com frequência de comutação e amostragem de 21,6kHz, controlados cada um por um DSC 56F8014 da Freescale, e um dispositivo para monitoração dos inversores utilizando um microcontrolador PIC18F4520. Todos os dispositivos possuem interface de comunicação UART isolada com protocolo LIN. Os inversores foram testados em operação com modo de compartilhamento de potência contínuo, onde todos os inversores operam com parcelas identicas de potência, e no modo escalonado, onde os inversores entram em operação sob a demanda da potência a ser processada. Os resultados apresentam uma melhora de 3,7% no rendimento entre o sistema de compartilhamento de potência contínuo e escalonado, avaliados pelo rendimento ponderado do sistema (IEC-61836). / Photovoltaic systems have been spreading globally as a clean energy technology that can be used in most of the planet Earth. This makes it a very interesting system for distributed generation. The key to the use of photovoltaics in distributed generation inverter is connected to the power grid. Thus the performance of this equipment directly influences the use of energy generated by the photovoltaic panels and consequently the time that the system pays for itself. The seasonal behavior of power generation, where the drive works most of the time between 10% and 90% of capacity, especially in systems without tracking, does not allow the drive to be evaluated not only by their performance at full load, but the full yield curve throughout the operating range. The proposed method improves the system performance at low power is the use of low power inverters connected in parallel to mains electricity working in installments. Thus, in the low power output is higher than if a single drive were used. This work also evaluated the consequences of parallelism in the rate of harmonic current distortion and benefits of expanding the life of the equipment and the use of redundancy . We implemented four inverters 300W output full bridge topology with switching frequency of 21.6 kHz and sampling, each controlled by a Freescale 56F8014 DSC, and a device for monitoring the inverters using a PIC18F4520 microcontroler. All devices have isolated communication interface UART with LIN protocol. The inverters were tested in operation mode continuous power sharing , where all the inverters operate with identical plots power, and staggered where the inverters come into operation upon the demand of power being processed. The results show an improvement of 3,7% in revenue sharing system between the power and continued staggered valued at weighted yield of the system (IEC-61836). / 5000

Neste trabalho é proposto o desenvolvimento de um novo microinversor de estágio único para aplicação em sistemas fotovoltaicos. A topologia apresentada é baseada na combinação do conversor Cuk com uma estrutura de indutores chaveados para obtenção de um maior ganho estático e um circuito inversor em ponte completa conectado à rede. A estrutura de indutores chaveados apresentada nesse trabalho reduz esforços de tensão e corrente nas chaves semicondutoras. Com o objetivo de facilitar o controle, a etapa CC do microinversor opera em modo de condução descontínua (DCM). Para injetar corrente senoidal com baixa distorção harmônica à rede, é aplicado às chaves semicondutoras da etapa CC uma modulação por largura de pulso senoidal (SPWM). As chaves semicondutoras do circuito inversor em ponte completa são comandadas na frequência da rede, reduzindo perdas por chaveamento. Por se tratar de uma topologia inédita, são apresentados os modos de operação e a análise matemática do conversor CC-CC Cuk com alto ganho estático. Posteriormente, são realizadas a análise teórica e a estratégia de controle do microinversor proposto. Os resultados experimentais são expostos para discutir o funcionamento da topologia proposta, através de simulações e da implementação de um protótipo de 180 W. / The development of a novel single stage microinverter is proposed. The presented topology is based on the combination of the Cuk converter with a switched inductor structure to obtain a higher static gain, and a full-bridge inverter circuit. The presented switched inductor structure reduces voltage and current stresses on the power switches. In order of simplify the control, the stage CC of the microinverter operate in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). To inject sinusoidal current with low harmonic distortion to the grid, a sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM) is applied in the power switches. The switches of the full-bridge invertes are commanded in low frequency, in order to reduce switching losses. Operation modes and math analysis of the novel CC-CC converter are presented. Moreover, the math analysis and control strategy of proposed microinverter topology are exposed. Furthermore, experimental results are performed to analyze the proposed topology operation, by software simulations and implementation of a 180 W prototype.

This diploma work is dealing with problems related to production of electrical energy in compliance with environmental protection and assessment of its production from non-renewable sources in reference to sources being renewable. The work puts emphasis on the importance and utilization of solar electrical energy. The sun is a source that will not get dried or mined out and will not stop shining. The goal of diploma work was to appraise the investment effectiveness with regard to a photovoltaic power station and assess the power plant influence in relation to classic sources for energy production and environmental protection. Within the diploma work, there were appraised three variants of the investment project which assumed life time longer than 20 years comprising conventional financial flows, surface size of 30 000 m2 and roughly required output of 1.5 MW. Single options were assessed upon economical evaluation regarding different ways of financing, in terms of price, output and guarantees provided by suppliers including the assessment of grant influence on the project effectiveness. Based on these data, the most suitable version for the investment project of building up the photovoltaic power plant was chosen. At the conclusion, it is possible to state that the photovoltaic power plant is very considerate towards the living environment in contrast to classical sources for electrical energy production, for example coal-fired power plants which heavily contaminate the environment, and nuclear power plants with risks of radiation escapes.