Chapter 2

Classification of Photovoltaic Power Systems

Presentation

Dr. Weidong Xiao

School of Electrical and Information Engineering

University of Sydney, Australia

2017
c

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Outline

1 Conventional Classification
2 Classification by MPPT granularity level
3 Centralized maximum power point tracking (CMPPT)
CMPPT with galvanic isolation
CMPPT without galvanic isolation
PV array mismatch
Monitoring CMPPT systems
4 Distributed maximum power point tracking (DMPPT)
DMPPT at string level
DMPPT at module level
DMPPT at submodule level
DMPPT at PV cell level
5 Summary

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Conventional classifications

By installation site By grid interconnection voltage

Outer atmosphere low voltage (LV)
Inner atmosphere medium voltage (MV)
By grid interconnection Basic requirement for grid
Standalone PV systems connection
Utility interactive or grid-tied Power quality
Multimode for either grid-tied or Protection, e.g. Anti islanding
standalone Additional requirement for MV grid
By system capacity connection
Small-scale PV systems: ≤ 50 kW Active power throttling
Intermediate-scale PV systems: ≥ Reactive power contribution
50 kW and ≤ 1 MW Fault ride through or low voltage
Large-scale PV systems: ≥ 1 MW ride through (FRT or LVRT)
Due to the modular nature of PV arrays and the installation complication, the
boundary among the system capacities becomes unclear.
A large-scale system is commonly composed or grouped by hundreds of
thousands of small-scale or intermediate-scale subsystems.
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Classification of CMPPT and DMPPT

The parallel connections of PV strings forms the subarray and the full array for
high power capacity.
Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is a control algorithm that is
commonly utilized in all PV power systems for the highest power output
regardless of the variation in environmental conditions.
Systems are classified by the granularity level at which the function of MPPT
is applied.
The centralized MPPT (CMMPT) system is defined when the MPPT function can
only be operated by the centralized inverter at the subarray or the array level.
The distributed MPPT (DMMPT) system is defined when the MPPT function can
be operated by the finer granularity than the subarray level.
DMPPT includes the MPPT applied for the string, module, submodule, and
cell levels.
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Centralized maximum power point tracking

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CMPPT with galvanic isolation

high frequency transformer

small size and low weight
low material cost
low frequency transformer
bulky and heavy
mature, robust, and reliable
right location for grid isolation
Single stage conversion shows
simple circuit and aims for high
efficiency.

Double stage conversion shows flexibility and advantages in many ways.

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CMPPT without galvanic isolation

In the PV grounded system, one of the DC terminal is eventually connected to

the neutral point through the same earth ground.
Galvanic isolation through the power conversion stage is required for the
functional grounding in grid-tied PV systems.

Ungrounded PV systems are

allowed for grid connection.
Galvanic isolation is unnecessary for
ungrounded PV systems.
Without transformer loss, system
efficiency can be high.
The simplest solution for grid
connection is the single-stage
conversion without transform.

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Mismatch resulted from PV manufacturer

Module output characteristics can be different even though they are the same
model and manufactured by the same date.
PV module manufacturers always give the power tolerance in the datasheets.
Direct mismatch loss is expected when they are connected in series.
1.5
22
20
18
16

PPV (W)
IPV (W)

1 14
12
I−V of module #1 10 P−V of module #1
MPP of module #1 MPP of module #1
I−V of module #2 8 P−V of module #2
MPP of module #2 MPP of module #2
0.5 6
10 15 20 10 15 20
VPV (V) VPV (V)
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Mismatch resulted from partial shading

One cell in the 2nd module is intentionally shaded.

The shaded module produces 15.44 W in comparison with the healthy module
at the 21.49 W power output.
Single-cell shading alone causes significant power loss due to the series
connection of cells.
1.5
22

20

18
(W)

(W)
1 16
PV

PV
P

P
I−V of module #1 14 P−V of module #1
MPP of module #1 MPP of module #1
I−V of module #2 12 P−V of module #2
MPP of module #2 MPP of module #2
0.5 10
10 15 20 10 15 20
VPV (V) VPV (V)
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More loss due to the series connection

Two power peaks appears,but none can represent the true available power
that is the sum of the individual maximum power.
Direct loss is from the shading, counted for 14%.
Additional loss is from the series connection of two modules, counted for 8%.
Total loss (22 %) can be realized for the simple partial shading case.
1.5 35

30
PPV (W)

PPV (W)
25
1
20

15
I−V of series connection I−V of series connection
MPP of series connection MPP of series connection
0.5 10
10 20 30 40 10 20 30 40
VPV (V) VPV (V)
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wireless communication technologies used for monitoring in three levels

Monitoring at the inverter level:

fault
PV mismatch
performance
RS-485 protocol
power line communication (PLC)
Ethernet
USB interface
Internet
Remote monitoring

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wireless communication technologies used for monitoring in three levels

More insight monitoring

PV module
DC combiner
wireless local area networks
(WLAN)
ZigBee
WiFi
wireless wide area networks
(WWAN)
Internet
Remote monitoring

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Decentralized maximum power point tracking at finer granularity levels

Distributed MPPT (DMPPT) has attracted significant research attention to

address the issue of PV array mismatch.
A PV array typically comprises multiple strings connected in parallel.
The distributed structure of maximum power point trackers have widely been
accepted in commercial PV inverter products at the string level.
Trend to target finer granularity levels.

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Decentralized maximum power point tracking at different levels

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DMPPT at string level

Two configurations
Common AC link for multiple string inverters to perform DC/AC conversion
Common DC link for multiple string converter to perform DC/DC conversion

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DMPPT configuration at module level

Module integrated parallel inverters (MIPI) are in parallel connection and

share the AC bus for AC grid interconnection.
Module-integrated-series inverters (MISI) show series connection built by
DC/AC conversion stages.
Module integrated parallel converters share (MIPC) the DC bus for DC grid
interconnection or AC grid connection with additional DC/AC conversion.
Module integrated series converters (MISC), are also commercially called DC
power optimizers, which show series connection built by DC/DC convertion
stages.
Module integrated differential power processors (MIDPP) are formed by
DC/DC conversion, which create bypass routes to minimize the mismatch
effect alone the PV string.

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Module integrated parallel inverters (MIPI)

Parallel
configuration
High step-up
voltage conversion
Highly modular
structure for AC grid
connection
Challenge for high
efficiency
Common topologies

Steady DC link
voltage
Fluctuating DC
link voltage

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Module integrated parallel converters (MIPC)

Parallel
configuration
High step-up
voltage of DC/DC
conversion
Highly modular
structure for DC
grid connection
For AC grid, a
centralized DC/AC
inverter required.
Challenge for high
efficiency

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Module integrated series converters (MISC)

In contrast to the MIPC, the outputs of Module-integrated-series converters

(MISC)are serially connected to form a DC string.
DC string can be connected in parallel with other DC strings in order to create
a DC link.
DC link can be utilized for a DC microgrid or an AC grid through a centralized
DC/AC inverter.
Thanks to the stacked voltage, Low voltage conversion ratio is realized for
high conversion efficiency.
Not as robust as the parallel configuration, such as MIPC.

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Module-integrated-differential power processors (MIDPP)

Carry only the mismatch current among PV modules

Sounds ideal since the MIDPP is active only in case of mismatch conditions.
Complex wiring in outdoor condition to bypass current.
Coordination and communication among the MIDPP

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Module-integrated-series inverters (MISI)

Output terminals of MISI are series connected to form a stacked AC string.

Avoid high conversion ratio thanks to the structure of AC voltage stack
A central unit,shown as the grid link, is essential to coordinate the operation of
all MISIs.
AC voltage stack cannot be easily formed in comparison with DC.

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Background of DMPPT at PV submodule level

PV submodules are not independent units, but parts of the laminated PV

panel.
Crystalline-based PV modules are commonly composed of 60 or 72 solar
cells in one laminated module, which are divided into three or four
submodules.
Applying DMPPT at the submodule level provides even finer conversion
granularity to reduce mismatch than the approaches applied in the module
level.
The output voltage of submodule is usually less than 15 V.
Due to the low voltage nature of the submodule output, the parallel structure
is uncommon for grid-tied applications.
Three architectures based on series connection are classified as:
Submodule-integrated-series converters (subMISC)
Submodule-integrated-differential-power processor (subIDPP)
Submodule isolated port-differential-power processor (subIPDPP)

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Submodule integrated series converters (SubMISC)

Submodule-integrated-series converters (subMISC) are integrated with PV

submodules to perform MPPT and DC/DC conversion
SubMISCs are connected in series to form a string, which provides a voltage
stack for DC link.
DC link can be utilized for a DC microgrid or an AC grid through a centralized
DC/AC inverter.
Preferred topology is synchronous buck converters thanks to the high
efficiency and wide conversion range
Series configuration is not as robust as the parallel configuration.

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Submodule-integrated-differential power processors (SubIDPP)

Carry only the mismatch current among PV submodules

Sounds ideal since the SubIDPP is active only in case of mismatch conditions.
Complex wiring in outdoor condition to bypass current.
Coordination and communication among SubIDPPs

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Submodule Isolated port-differential-power processor (subIPDPP)

Since the output of subIPDPPs share the common ground, galvanic isolation
is required.
Each submodule is integrated in parallel with a dedicated subIPDPP.
Complex wiring in outdoor condition to process mismatch current
Coordination and communication among SubMIPDPPs
Implementation can be costly due to the galvanic isolation requirement.

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DMPPT at PV cell level

A six-inch crystalline-based cell is about 4 W in peak, at 0.5 V and 8 A

Fully integrated circuit (IC) to form DC/DC boost converter for each PV cell
Even the finest granular level is presented, the converter is difficult to be
designed for high efficiency regarding to the voltage and current rating.
To limit the size, high switching frequency is expected.
Difficult to be applied due to system complexity and high-cost

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Summary

Classification of grid-tied photovoltaic power systems is presented.

Different from conventional approaches, the classification focuses on the level
of granularity at which maximum power point tracking (MPPT) can be applied.
The majority of PV grid-tied power systems can be grouped as either
centralized MPPT (CMPPT) or distributed MPPT(DMPPT).
The DMPPT solution is further divided by the MPPT implementation at string
level, module-level, submodule level, and cell level.
The cost of DMPPT systems is generally higher than the CMPPT counterpart
due to the circuit complication.
The CMPPT solution represents the initial approach for large-scale PV power
systems.
More and more DMPPT systems have been developed to realize the
significant power.

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