A New Solar EIiergy Conversion Scheme Implemented
Using Grid-Tied Single Phase Inverter
Saad Mekhilef, N.A.Rahim, and A.M.Omar
Power Electronics Research Laboratory
Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering,
University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Fax: (603) 75953 16, E-mail: saad@,fkuin.edu.my
Abstract
A new utility-connected photovoltaic inverter is
presented in this paper. Simulation and implementation
of the new solar energy conversion scheme has been
demonstrated The solar energy conversion unit consists
of an array of solar panels, DC-DC converter single-
phase inverter, and ac mains power source. The inverter
converts DC power generated by the photovoltaic cells
into AC power, and provides it to the load connected to
the utility line, when the photovoltaic power is greater
than the load; the excess power is fed to the utility line
through a reverse power jlow. With this new approach
we can reduce the use of the power from the grid and
even make a contribution to the mains supply. Simulation
and experimental results are provided to demonstrate the
effectiveness of the design.
Keywords
Photovoltaic power generation, utility-interactive
photovoltaic, solar energy, inverter
1. Introduction
Each day more solar energy falls to the Earth than the
total amount of energy the planet's 5.9 billion inhabitants
would consume in 27 years. While it's neither possible
nor necessary to use but a small portion of this energy,
we've hardly begun to tap the potential of solar energy
[l]. Only in the last few decades when growing energy
demands, increasing environmental problems and
declining fossil fuel resources made us look to
alternative energy options have we focused our attention
on truly exploiting this tremendous resource.
With the cost of the solar cells decreasing, the
conversion of the solar energy to electric energy is
increasingly becoming economically viable. This is
particular true in a tropical country like Malaysia where
there is abundant solar energy available through out the
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0-7803-6355-8/00/$10.0002000 IEEE
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To harvest the vast solar energy, it would be desirable if
the energy conversion units are simple, reliable, and of
low cost and high efficiency. High efficiency can be
achieved by the use of all the power generated for the
unit and even contribute to the gird while the energy is
not used.
Photovoltaics are one of the fastest growing solar energy
technologies. Photovoltaic devices, commonly called
solar cells or modules, use semiconductor material to
directly convert sunlight into electricity. Solar cells have
no moving parts power is produced when sunlight strikes
the semiconductor material and creates an electric
current [3].
Solar cells are used to power remote residences,
satellites, highway signs, water pumps, communication
stations, navigation buoys, streetlights and calculators. In
the last seven years, photovoltaic sales have nearly
tripled. More than 125 megawatts of modules were
manufactured worldwide in 1997 [4-51.
2. I-V Curves
The most comprehensive test of a PV array is the
measurement of the I-V curve. This curve shows the
behavior of the PV system under all load conditions from
open circuit to short circuit. I-V curves can be taken of
any portion of an array provided there is electrical
access, an I-V curve of the entire array will give the peak
power rating of the array. The I-V curve is simply a plot
of array current versus voltage. Figure 1 illustrates the
usefulness of an I-V curve. Only the short circuit current
or open circuit voltage was measured.
A curve is generated by connecting the array to a
variable load. As the resistance is varied from zero to
infinity, current and voltage data pairs are recorded and
plotted to produce I-V curve.
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 proposed scheme it is seen that the utility input current
I-V Curve has a sinusoidal shape, and the firing pulses to fire the
thyristors at position (0') whereas figure 4 shows the
input utility current and the output current of the inverter.

Figure 4 shows the photovoltaic system that provides the

active power to utility and load, it can be seen from the
current waveforms the contribution of the photovoltaic
system to the utility. And in figure 6 presents the current
waveform and bridge voltage on the DC side.
1 - d
Voltage(V)

Figure 1 I-V Curve

3. Circuit Configuration
The system circuit diagram of the solar energy
conversion is shown in Figure 2. The system is designed
at 150W using 2 solar panels connected is series. The
output voltage across the 2 solar panels is between 30 -
44V. The system will be disabled if the voltage drops
below 20V. The panel voltage is converted to a higher Figure 3 Utility current and firing pulses
voltage through a set-up chopper. An inverter consisting
of thyristors is then used to convert the DC voltage at the
output of the chopper to the load and than to the mains
supply.

Figure 4 Utility input current and out put current of the

inverter

Figure 2 Single-phase grid-tied inverter with DC-DC

converter

4. Simulation Results

In order to verify the feasibility and performance of this

method of power conversion and confirm key predicted
waveforms

First, a simulation of the configuration proposed is

performed. The major parameters used in the simulation
are as follows: phase voltage =220V, photovoltaic output Figure 5 Load current, utility current and output of the
voltage 44V, DC side capacitor 2000pF, inductor inverter current
L=SOmH. Figure 3 shows the simulation results for the

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 Figure 6 Current and bridge voltage on the DC side
Figure 8 utility AC current and inverter output current

4. Experimental results
To verify the performance of the proposed scheme, a
prototype was developed and tested in a single-phase
power system connected with 120V. The major
parameters used in the experiments are as follow:
photovoltaic output voltage 44V, DC side capacitor
1100pF; inductor L = 50mH. Figure 6 shows the current
on the primary side and secondary of the transformer
(DC-DC), where figure 7 and 13 show the utility voltage,
DC voltage and the firing pulses, whereas figure 8 and 9
show the utility AC line current and the inverter output
'
current.
.. .. --
Figure 10 shows the current and the bridge voltage on
the DC side of the inverter.

Figure 11 and 12 show the experimental results for the Figure 9 Utility AC current and inverter output current in
photovoltaic system that provides the active power to expanding scale
utility and load. It is seen that the utility input current
waveform is close to a sinusoidal waveform and the
waveform is coincided with the simulation result as
shown in figure 4.

The simulation and experimental results demonstrates

that the proposed photovoltaic system successhlly
accomplishes the active power generation to the utility
and load.

. . . .
r
r
.
.
.
.
.
. .
. .
. .
. I
.

Figure 10 Current and bridge voltage on the DC side

J
Figure 7 AC current, firing pulses, and DC photovoltaic

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 changing energy needs. Solar energy technologies have
made huge technological and cost improvements, but
except for certain niche markets such as remote power
applications are still more expensive than traditional
energy sources. Researchers continue to develop
technologies that will make solar energy technologies
particularly power generating technologies cost-
competitive with fossil fuels.

The most cost-effective way to reduce your utility bills is

to reduce your usage by installing more efficient lights
and appliances, and improving the insulation level of
your home or business.

Figure 11 Load current and utility current 6. Conclusion

A simple photovoltaic system for interconnection to the
utility power system is developed. Through the
simulation and experimental results, the validity of the
developed photovoltaic system can be verified. Further,
adoption of a simple control strategy should make the
inverter more reliable. The cost of this inverter will also
be relatively low as minimum number of power devices
is used to execute this configuration. It is also evident
from the simulation result, that the harmonic distortion of
the output inverter current waveform at different solar
panel voltages levels can be maintained within the
specified regulation limits of the utility. All the above
advantages have made the inverter configuration highly
suitable for grid connected photovoltaic application.

Figure 12 Load current, utility current and output of the

inverter current

T o k m lO.OW/S 71 ACqS 7.References

I
l"""""""""'""'~"'"""""'"""""~
1. 0. Wasynczuk, "Modelling and dynamic performance of a
line-commutatedphotovoltaic inverter system"
IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, Vol. 4 No. 3,
September 1989
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water pump for rural mas"
ISIE'98 International Symposium on Industrial Electronics,
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t " 3. S. Kim, G. Yoo, J. Song, "A bifunctional utility connected

Figure 13 Firing pulses, utility current and output of the
inverter current
5. Analysis
Solar energy technologies offer a clean, renewable and
domestic energy source. Power generating systems also
are modular, meaning they can be constructed to meet
any size requirement and are easily enlarged to meet
photovoltaic system with power factor correction and U.P.S
facility"
25m PVSC, May 13-17,1996;Washington D.C.
4. S. Nonoka, "A utility-connected residential PV system
adapted a novel single-phase composite PWM voltage
source inverter"
First WCPEC; December 5-9,1994, Hawwaii.
5. Emil S. "Inverters for utility interactive photovoltaic power
plants"
Electrotechnical Conference, 1989. Proceedings.
'Integrating Research, Industry and Education in Energy
and Communication Engineering', MELECON '89

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