INTER 00 ‘US 2008029170681 cu») United States cz) Patent Application Publication — co) Pub. No.: US 2008/0291706 A1 Seymour et al. (4s) Pub. Dat Nov. 27, 2008 (54) COMMON MODE FILTER SYSTEM ANI METHOD FORA SOLAR POWER INVERTER Related Application Data (60) Provisional aplication No, 60'939,807, fled on May 23, 2007, (75) Inventors: Erle Seymour, Fort Collins, CO (US); Jack Arthur Gilmore, Fort cation Classification Collins, CO (US); Mike G1) nen Armstrong, Loveland, CO (US) HOM V2 (2006.01) (2) US.CL 36x40 Comespondence Address ay peetncr Neugeboren O™Dowd PC 1227 Spruce Street, SUITE 200 A photovoltaic system, method and apparatus ae dislosed BOULDER, CO 80302 (US) In an exemplary embodiment, the system ineludes a phot vollac array, a distibution system that distributes power Within @ premises of a demand-side energy consumer, inverter coupled to the distribution system that is configured {oconvest DC power from the photovoltaic aray to AC power ‘and apply the AC power tothe disteibution system, a damping portion configured to damp high Trequency vollages derived (73) Assignee: 21) Appl.Nos —12722,950 from theinverter, nd trapping ciety coped ote damp ing portion that i configured o ede level of low fe (22) ited May 19, 2008 cqueney eurent traveling throvgh the damping portion 400 402 30 660 - 1200 Vde C. (x 480 : Medium Voltage 1084 1% a }___, Pistution , nePatent Application Publication Nov. 27, 2008 Sheet 1 of 6 US 2008/0291706 AI 112 480 : Medium Voltage 2 40 Distribution System 100 FIG. 1 108 N 404 114: 660 - 1200 Vde PV Tie = -US 2008/0291706 AI Nov. 27, 2008 Sheet 2 of 6 Patent Application Publication eold ALUN laovst24n se3T3BIM ood loscuvos "Ana | ! ana a + xOISyINOS | SITS Oy OLY "EaON NOWAGS | STOTSea oat 3Nn wouoaous EKNESSS cnnows SOD. LivyPatent Application Publication Nov. 27, 2008 Sheet 3 of 6 US 2008/0291706 A1 FIG. 3Patent Application Publication Nov. 27, 2008 Sheet 4 of 6 US 2008/0291706 AI FIG. 4Patent Application Publication _ Nov. 27, 2008 Sheet 5 of 6 US 2008/0291706 AI 480 : Medium Voltage Distribution FIG. 5 Inverter Invertery s o > £Patent Application Publication _ Nov. 27, 2008 Sheet 6 of 6 US 2008/0291706 AI 600 602 604 Generating DC power 606 Converting the DC power to AC power 608, ‘Applying the AC power directly to the distribution system of the premises: 610 Filtering high frequency voltages so as to reduce an amount of high frequency voltages propagating to the distribution system 612 Reducing a level of ow frequency currents that would ordinaily J travel through the high frequency filter End FIG. 6US 2008/0291706 Al ‘COMMON MODE FILTER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A SOLAR POWER INVERTER PRIORITY [0001] The present application claims priority to provi sional patent application No. 601939,807. led May 23.2007. ‘ened: COMMON MODE FILTER FOR SOLAR INVERTER, which sincomporated by reference herein in its entirety FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to apparatus and ‘methods for converting solar energy to electrical enemy, and ‘more specifically to apparatus and methods for mor’ efieient ‘conversion of solar energy to electrical energy. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10003] In photovoltaic (PV) energy systems, inverters are used to convert DC electrical energy that is generated hy photovoliaie panes to AC electrical energy tha is compatible with the AC distribution systems tat are built into the infra- structure’ of residential, commercial industrial premises, and large ground mounted solar farms. 0004} Typically an inverter is hard grounded (e.g, on the Aegative rail ofthe inverter DC input) and an isolation trans- ormer is uilized in connection with the inverter to gal cally isolate the inverter from the AC power system of the premisesand to providea voltae ato change. Transformers, however, ald sdldtional ineficiencies, complexity, weight ‘and substantial eost 0 inverters 0005) "For inverer applications large enowgh to warrant @ dicated connection tothe wily (eg. uty transformer ‘connecting the inverter tothe utility's own medium voltage supply) itis often possible to remove the integrally provided transformer from the product, Although purchased as “rans- Jormerless" the operation of such inverters is sill predicated ‘onthe presence of an isolating transformer to allow forthe traditionally hant-grounded PV array _ configuration. Although iaverers hive bees marketed as being “insform- ‘rls heeause, when sold, a transformer isnot integrated with these inverters, the power distribution system (ee, 480/ 27TVAC) ofthe premises is stil isolated from the inverter hy 2 ullity ansformer. As a consequence, these “transformer Jess" inverters stil ely on transformer for isolation and are typically limited to installations where medium voltage (eg 44160 to 13 KV) transformers are presenta the premises 10006] There isnot presently a lange PV inverter (eg. un ‘inverter larger than 10 kW) intended o operate independent ‘of any isolating transformer. Presently available equipment also does not allow inversion directly into 480 VAC three- phase, but rather into much lower voltages that are ration ‘changed to more usefil vollages such as 480 Volts by the ‘integrally provided transformer. Accordingly, a system and method are needed 10 addres the shortfalls of present tech- nology and to provide oer new and innovative features SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION {0007} Exemplary embodiments of the present invention that are shown in the drawings are summarized below, These and other embodiments are more fully described in the Detiled Description section. isto be understood, however, that there is ao intention to limit the invention to the forms ‘described in this Summary of the Invention or inthe Detailed Nov. 27, 2008 Description, One skilled the art ean recognize that there are ‘numerous modifications, equivalents and alternative eon- structions that fll within the spirit and scope ofthe invention fas expressed inthe claims. [0008] Inoue embostimeat the invention may be character: ined as a photovoltaic system that includes a photovoltaic may, a distribution system that distbutes power within a premises of a demand-side enenzy consumer, an ianerter ‘coupled to the distribution system that is coalgured to eon- ver DC power from the photovolisie array to. AC power and ‘apply the AC power to the distribution system, a danping portion configured to damp high frequency voltages derived rom the inverter, and tapping circuitry coupled to the damp- ‘ng portion that is configured to reduce a level of low fre- {quency current traveling through the dazsping portion. [0009] In another embodiment the invention may be else- acterized as a power conversion device. The power conver ‘sion device inthis embodiment comprises inputs adapted to recoive DC power, an inverter portion configured to convert the DC power to AC power, outputs adapted to apply the AC powerto.adistibation system of apremises of ademand-side ‘energy consumer, a damping portion configured to damphigh oquency voltages derived from the invericr so as to enable the inverter portion to couple with the disteibution syste ‘without anisolation transformer. anda trapping portion thats configured to reduce a level of lw frequeney current travel: ing through the damping ete, [0010] In yet another embodiment the invention may be charaeterizedas a method for applying power to distribution system ofa promises ofa clemanel-side energy consumer. The ‘method in this embodiment includes generating DC power from a renewable source of energy, converting the DC poster fo AC power, applying the AC power directly tothe distibu- tion system of the premises, and filtering high frequency voliages soa to edce an amount of high frequency voltages propagating tothe distribution system and the PV array. [0011] As previously stated, the above-described embodi- ‘meats a implementations are fr illosteation purposes only ‘Numerous other embodiments, implementations, and details ofthe invention are easily recognized by those of skill inthe ‘ar from the following deseriptions and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OP THE DRAWINGS. [0012] Various objects and advantages and a more com- plete understanding ofthe present invention are apparent and ‘more readily appreciated by relerence to the following Detailed Description and wo the appended claims when taken in coajunetion with the aovompanying Deashings wherein [0013] FIG. 1 is a block dingram depicting an exemplary embodiment of a photovolaie system; 0014] FIG. 2isaschematirepresentatonofanexemplary ‘embodiment of the inverter described with reference 10 FIG. © [0018] FIG. 3 isa schematic representation of an embod ‘meat that may be utilized in connection with the embodi- ‘ments described with reference to FIGS. Land 2 0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of another embodiment that may be utilized in connection with the tembodinients described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 [0017] FIG. Sis a block digram depicting an exemplary invertersystem architecture,US 2008/0291706 Al 0013) that may be caried out in eonnection Wi «discussed with reference to FIGS. 1, FIG, 6isa flowchart depicting an exemplary method the embodiments DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0019] Referring first to FIG. 1, shown is a block diggram ‘an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. AS shown, in thisembodiment a fist set Mand second set 104 ‘of photovoltaic panels are arranged to create a bipolar panel array 106 tats coupled to an invertor 108, which is disposed between the panel aray 106 anda distebution system 10.As showin, the distribution system 110 in this embodiment is ‘coupled to the secondary side ofa wye-configured medium- voltage to 480°277 three-phase transformer 112 that is rounded at its sae point, [0020] The illistated arrangement of the components depicted in FIG. 1 is logical and not meant to be an actual hardware diagram: hs, addtional components can beaded ‘or combined with the components that are depicted in an ‘etual implementation. It should also he recognizes thatthe ‘components, i ight ofthe disclosure herein, may be readily ‘implemented by one of onlinary skill in the art, [0021] "Asan example, the inverter 108 is depicted as cou- pling directly to the ary 106, but this is certainly: aot Fequired. In some embodiment, for example, a PV interface jis interposed between the army 106 andthe inverter 108 la these embodiment, the PV interface generally operates 10 ‘enable the inverter 108, which is designed to operate at lover voltages, to be utilized in connection with the PV array 106 that operates at least @ portion of the time (e., while unloaded) ata voltage that exceeds the designed operating voltage of the inverter 108.1. application Ser. No. 11967, 933, entitled Photovoltaic Inverter Interface Device, System and Method, which is incorporated herein by reference dis ‘loses exemplary PV interfaces that may’ be utilized in con- rection with one or more embodiments of the presen inven- 10022] Ingeneral, the photovltaie array 106 converts solar ‘energy to DX” electrical power, which is converted to AC power (eg., three-phase power) by the inverter 108. As Shown, the AC power ontpit by the inverter 108 is applic 0 the distribution system 110, which in many embodiments is the three phase distribution system of a demand-side energy ‘consumer (eg. commercial entity, industrial entity or eol- Jection of residential units). In other embodiments, however, ‘tis contemplated that the distribution system 110 sa portion ‘ofa uility distribution system. The transformer 112 in the ‘exemplary embodiment is configured to couple the distribu tion system 110 to medium voltage power provided by an ‘electsical tty company. 10023] In some embodiments, the cells in the array 106 inchide erstalline (eg, monocrystalline or polyerystaline) silion that operates in an open foad state at 1200 Volts and ‘operates ina loaded state between 660 and 960 Volts. And in ‘other embodiments the array inludes cells comprising amor. phous silicon that operates in an open lad state at 1400 Volts ‘and loaded state srotnd 900 Valls, One of ordiary skill i the act will appreciate, however, thatthe photovoltaic array 102 may include a variety of dierent type photovoltaic cells that are disposed in a variety of dilfeent configurations, For ‘example, the photovoltaic cells may be arrange in parallel, in Series ora combination thereat. 0024) As depicted, the fist set of panels 102 and the sec- ‘ond setof panels 104 ar tied together, and as shown, in some Nov. 27, 2008 embodiments the first and second sets of panels 102, 104 are together outside of the inverter 108. In these embodi- tis contemplated that a Tine (uot shown) sized for ‘elatvely low currents will couple, vina fse, the tie point 144 between the first and second setsof panels 102, 104 o ground during nighttime. This connection woud be made by «relay and therefore reference the aray in the conventional manner ‘when it is not producing power [02S] This embodiment hus the benefit of ulilizing one lower gauge, ad hence less costly, wire between the te point 114 ofthe first and second panels 102, 1M aad grouad. US. pplication Ser. No, 12/022,147, entitled Systom and Method {orGround Fault Detection and Intemption, which i incor porated herein be reference, discloses, among other technical Advancements that may be utilized in connection with embodiments ofthe present invention, techniques for tying panels (eg, the first and second sets of panels 102, 104) together [0026] Inotherembodimeats, however the fist and second sets of pancls 102, 104 are tied together within the inverter 108 via normally open switch thats closed during operation of the inverter 108 [0027] Beneficially, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 unlike typical approaches, does not include separate sol ‘ion transformer between the inverter 108and the distribution system 110, and as.a consequence, efficiency of the system is increased while the cost, size, and weight of the inverter 108 are decreased. [0028] Moreover, multiple inverters may be placed side by side without an isolation transformer. And beneficially, the ‘numberof inverters that may be placed side by side is virtw- ally unlimited, and the invertors may be placed in a conve- nient location (eg, away from an entry point of wilty poster toa building). [029] Referring next wo FIG. 2, shown is an exemplary ‘mbodinientof the inverter 108 depicted in FIG. 1. As shown, the inverter inthis embodiment includes a ground fault por. tion, disconnect contactor, surge protection, acomman mode choke, an inverter partion, line reactors, AC contactor, and TEM filter aligned inseries. Inadalition, drive board is shown coupled between the inverter and a control computer, and the control computer is coupled to an inverter interface that Jnclides front door interice, a data eporting computer and Ftheret interface and a wireless interface. [0030] As depicted, inthis embodiment the common mode choke i located on the DC side of the converter, but this is not required, and in other embodiments, the common mode choke may be positioned onthe AC side othe inverter. It has bet ound that capacitance ofthe solar array wo ground may cause undesirable instability of the inverter. The addition of ilering components (e2., common mode choke and other filter components) prevent this undesirable behavior. [031] As discussed further herein it has also been found that eliminating the isolation tansfonmer tht is normally interposed between an inverter and adistbution system (eg. istbution system 110) may lead to high frequency (eg 18 {llz) common mode voltages propagating othe photovo system. These hgh frequency voltages may vary in frequency depending upon the switching frequency of the inverter, but they may create adverse consequences relative to other invert fers that may be coupled to the distribution system or other Joads in the distribution system. 0032] In addition, it has been found that when the high Trequency voltages ae filtered, 180 Hz voltages that originateUS 2008/0291706 Al from pulse width modulation saturation may also propagate through the high fequeney flr, which crates sbstaial ‘enemy losses and heat generation, Moreover 60 Fz voltage Actaris de, forexample, to asymmetrical loading, my propose throogh the distribution system 10033] As a consequence, the common mode choke inthe ‘exemplary embodimeat is implemented in connection with damping ciecuitry to remove the high frequency voliages (Ges ISKH2)inconnoctionwih lw froquency (ea, 1802) trap to provent the low ofthe 180 Fz voltages though the damping eeu 10034) Referring t FIG. 3, for example, shown sa sche- tnalc representation ofa common-mode choke 302 used in ‘eonncction with dampernetworks 304 anda parallel resonant tank ici 306 that operate as taps for 180 He volines at may be wsod in connection with the embodiments described With reference to FIGS. I snd 2. Ta operation, the damper networks 304 fiterthehigh frequen votes (eg, 182) fd the parallel esac tank crits 306 operate to create high impedance for 180 Hz requences. Asa consequence, the damp crits 304 remove potetialyhaemfl igh fr ‘quency’ Currents and the parallel resonance tank circuits 306 prevent 180 He volages from creating substan! energy losses by preventing 180 Fz corrent rom flowing throogh the damper networks 304 10035] Although not quired, the eapcitor in each of the damper networks 304 may be realized by a 6D microfirad ‘eapaeitor andthe resistor in each ofthe networks 304 may’ be Snuplemeoted witha $0 Ohas resisior In aditon, he capac tori the parallel resonance tank circuits 306 may be imple- mented with 40 mierofarad capacitor and the inductor may borealis by 19 milifeny ndctor.Thecombination ot the ral indoctorand capacitor aetas an open circuit at 80 He allowing high frequencies tobe attenuated ut not is paling excessive power at 180 Hz [0036] Referring io FIG. 4, shown ia schematic repesen- to of an allernative tothe emboviment descr with reference to FIG. 3. As showa, this embodiment is substan- ally the same as th embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, except the pale resonant tank cietts 106 described with refer ‘eneeto FIG. Shave been replaced by single parallel sonst tank icv 406 that aso operates as ata for 180 Hz vol ‘ages In operation, the damper networks 404 ter the high Frequency voltages (eq, 18 KHz) andthe parallel resonance tank circuit 46 operates to create a high impedance or 180 Tz frequencies using fewer component than the resonance tanks eeu 306, 10037] -Refeting nox FIG. §, shown isan exemplary ‘oabodiment ofan nvercrsystem architecture. As shown, this embodiment N inverters are configured to operate ‘connection with a single distribution system wit rege ing he we of sation vansfonner. Benefally,aeommon mode choke (ex. the common mode chokes discussed wilh reference to FIGS. 2 3 and 4) in connection with damping networks (¢, damping networks 34, 404 enable mule invertors to be utilized with the same distribution system thot ermesponding isolation teansformers thi allowing muliplesinverer system to he realized without the need foe ‘nstaling expensive, bully and heavy isolation transformer 0038] -Refering next to FIG. 6, shown is a flowchart ‘epictng an exemplory method thet may’ be carried ost in ‘connection withthe embodiments deseribed with efereneet0 FIGS. 1-5. As shown, DC power i intially generated (e from a renewable source of energy sich 2s solr energy cap- Nov. 27, 2008 tured by the array 106)(Blocks 602, 604), and the DC power is converted to AC power (e-., by an inverter described with reference to FIGS. 1-5)(Block 606) before the AC power is applied toa distribution system (e.g distribution system for ‘large residential, commercial, oF industal facility XBlack 608). La many embodiments, the AC power isdireetly applied ‘o the distribution system (e ., without interposing an isola tion transformer between the inverter and the distribution system) [0039] As depicted in FIG. 6, in many implementations. high frequency’ components that may be generated by the inverter are fillered #0 as to reduce or prevent the high fre- ‘queney components that sould ordinarily propagate to the Source of the DC power (e..aray 106) orto ater devices (eg, other inverters or electronic devies) that may be coupled to te distribution system (Block 610). In addtion, in sonte embodiments it has been found that itis advantageous {o reduce the flow of low frequency currents that may otber- wise flow through the ters) for the igh frequeney voles (Block 612). As previously discussed for example, 180 Hz voltages that originate from pulse width modulation satura- tion may propagate through the high frequency filter, and create substantial energy losses and heat generation, [040] Those skilled in the art ean readily recognize that ‘numerous variations and substitutions may be made in the invention, its use and its configuration to achieve substan- tially the same results as achioved by the embodiments described herein, Accordingly, there is ho inteation to limit the invention tothe disclosed exemplary forms. Many’ vara- ‘ions, modifications and alternative constructions Fall withia the scope and spirit ofthe disclosed invention ‘What is claimed is 1.4 photovoltaic syst a photovoltaic array; 1 distibuton system, wherein the distribution system di tributes power within a premises of a demand-side ‘energy consumer an inverter coupled to the distribution system, the inverter isconfigured to convert DC power from the photovota lrmyy to AC power and apply the AC power to the dstri- bution system; and «4 damping portion configured to damp high frequency voltages derived from the inverter, wherein the fre- quency ofthe igh frequency voltages isa function ofthe switching froqueney of the inverter, and ‘rapping creuitry coupled to the damping portion, the tap ping circuitry configured t reduce @ level of low fre- {quency curent traveling through the damping portion 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the photovoltaic array is a bi-polar array including frstarray-portion configured 10 ‘pert above ground, anda second array portion configured to operate belo ground 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the distribution systems three-phase distribution system. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the damping portion is housed within the inverter. 8. The system of claim I, wherein the damping circuitry is, configured to damp high frequeney voltages that have fe- (quencies around 18 kl. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the trapping circuitry is configured to substantially prevent 180 Fizeurrent from low ing through the damping iret. "7. The system of claims 1 nclading a pl coupled tothe distribution system ‘comprising: of invertersUS 2008/0291706 Al 8. The systemof claim 1, wherein the iverteris configured to couvert the DC power from the photovoltaic ray directly Jno 480 VAC three-phase poster 9, The system of claim 1, wherein the inverter is coupled iretly tothe distribution system without an isolation trans former 10. A power conversion device comprising: inputs adapted to eevive DC power, ‘an inverter portion configured to convert the DC power fo AC power, ‘outputs adapted to apply the AC power to a distribution ‘stem of a premises of a demand-side energy con- damping portion configured to damp high frequency voltages derived from the inverter so as to enable the inverter portion to couple with the distribution system ‘without an isolation transformer, and trapping portion coupled to the damping portion, the ‘rapping portion configured to reduce a level of Tow frequency current traveling through the damping cireuit 11. The power conversion device of claims 10, wherein the inverter is adapted to convert DC voltage that exceeds 600 VDC to 480 VAC. 12, The power conversion device of claims 10, wherein the ‘damping portion includes two damper networks, each ofthe ‘damper networks coupled between a corresponding rilof the inverter and ground. Nov. 27, 2008 istributionsystemof premises ofa demand-side energy consumer, comprising ‘generating DC power from a renewable source of energy converting the DC power to AC power: applying the AC power diredy to the distribution system ‘of the premises and filtering high frequency voltages so aso reduce an amount ‘of high frequency voltages propagating to the distribue tion system, 18. The method of claim 14, wherein generating includes: generating DC power witha fist photovoltaic array con- Figured to operate above a ground potential, generating DC powwer with 4 second photovoltaic aeray ‘configured to operte below a ground potential: tying a negative rail of the first photovoltaic array to a Positive rail of the second photovollsic array 80 8 (0 ‘reat a bipolar array and applying power from the positive rail of the ist array and the negative rail ofthe secon aray to the inverter. 16, The method of claim 14, wherein covering includes ceanvertng the DC power to AC poster with a plurality of ireily applying the AC power fom each of the inverters to the distribution system of the premises