Multiple string inverters for PV systems <5kwp: When is this justified?

Bahaj, A.S. and James, P.A.B. (2004) Multiple string inverters for PV systems <5kwp: When is this justified? In Proceedings of the 8th World Renewable Energy Congress (WREC VIII). Elsevier Science. 3000 pp .

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

A 24 string, 7.2 kWp vertical façade at Southampton University has been used as a test bed to study the effects of mismatch resulting from shading and module variation during manufacture. A range of schemes may be applied to reduce the effect, which, at its most extreme would be the use of a single inverter for each of the 24 strings of the array. This paper presents an analysis of the array operating under schemes of 2, 6 and 12 inverters.
It is shown that the increase in energy output of the multiple inverter systems cannot justify the large disparity in capital cost ($/Wp) compared to a single central inverter. An analysis is presented of the level of mismatch within the system that would have to be present to allow the multiple inverter solution to be selected on economic grounds. Such levels of mismatch are unlikely to be found in the majority of correctly selected PV installation sites.

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