Multi-String-Converter with

Reduced Specific Costs and Enhanced Functionality

Mike Meinhardt, Günther Cramer
SMA Regelsysteme GmbH, Hannoversche Straße 1-5, D-34266 Niestetal, Germany,
Phone: +49 561 9522-0 Fax: +49 561 9522-100, Email: meinhardt@sma.de

Bruno Burger, Peter Zacharias

Institut für Solare Energieversorgungstechnik e.V., Königstor 59, D-34119 Kassel, Germany,
Phone: +49 561 7492-0 Fax: +49 561 7492-100, Email: pzacharias@iset.uni-kassel.de

Abstract –The development of a PV-converter based on the advanced Multi-String concept results in significantly
reduced specific costs while still profiting from the well-known advantages of the String-converter technology
developed by ISET and SMA in the mid-nineties. The paper deals with the basic considerations from a system’s point of
view that resulted in the development of the Multi-String-converter. The features of the Multi-String-Converter
concerning operational behaviour and PV-system design are described. Due to enhanced capacity of the operational
control unit the Multi-String-converter can be used additionally for active compensation of harmonics and reactive
power in order to improve the power quality. An evaluation of Multi-String-Converters in comparison with String-
converters or conventional Central-converter concepts is presented. The selected topology and the control strategy for
the Multi-String-Converter are introduced.

1 INTRODUCTION Small
String-Converters
1 €/W First Generation of
AC
Multi-String-Converters
Prices of PV-converters must come down further (Sunny Boy 5000 Multi-String)
Specific
The continuously decreasing prices for PV-Modules costs of PV- Second Generation of
result in the fact that the reduction of the specific PV- converter Multi-String-Converters
(Sunny Team)
converter costs (€/W) is becoming more and more 0.5 €/W
AC
important. A wider usage of Photovoltaic energy systems
requires a further reduction of the specific costs while
keeping the very high standard PV-converters have
reached nowadays regarding safety, efficiency, reliability, 50 kW
1 kW 5 kW 10 kW 100 kW
electromagnetic compatibility and functionality (e.g. grid Nominal AC power of PV converter unit cost-reduction-eurosun.ppt

monitoring functions).
String oriented PV-converters developed by ISET
(Germany) and SMA Regelsysteme GmbH (Germany)
have been very successful in the past decade due to their
economical and technological advantages (e.g. reduced
DC-installation, local MPP-tracking). Nevertheless the
reduction of the specific costs of state-of-the-art PV-
converters is still possible.
Cost reduction due to increased nominal power of
converter unit
The experience has shown that a cost reduction can be
achieved primarily by increasing the nominal power of
the PV-converter. Fig. 1 shows the projected
development of specific PV-converter costs as function of
the nominal power of the converter unit including state-
of-the-art String-Converter as well as the first and second
generation of the new Multi-String-converter introduced
in the present paper.
Fig. 1: Cost reduction due to increased nominal power of
PV converter unit
A new PV-converter concept is needed
Due to the limited voltage proof of PV-modules and
electronic components of the converter it is not possible
to extend the nominal power of single strings just by
connecting more PV-modules in series. On the other hand
the particular advantages of the string technology are lost
by connecting strings in parallel in order to increase the
nominal power. Since the extension of the nominal power
of String-converters beyond 2.5 kW can not be achieved
either by extensive series or parallel connection of PV-
modules a new converter concept is needed. In [1] future
trends of PV-converters are presented including a new
type of converter called “Multi-String-converter” offering
a solution to the above problem.
The present paper gives a detailed description of the its own PV-system philosophy and both concepts are
features, the operational behaviour and approach for the compared very often in order to identify “the best”
technical realisation of the new Multi-String-converter. concept. However, the comparison of String-converter
and Central PV-converter based on the evaluation of real
PV-systems has always to take into account the specific
conditions of the corresponding PV-system (e.g. grade of
dirt, orientation and temperature of the PV-modules) [2].
2 THE MULTI-STRING-CONVERTER Therefore a general judgement can not be made based on
comparison of real PV-systems. Consequently Fig. 3 lists
2.1 The modular concept of the Multi-String converter the general advantages and disadvantages of both
concepts from a system’s point of view.
As illustrated in the block diagram in Fig. 2 the Multi-
String-Converter consists of several modularly String-Converter Central PV-Converter
extendable DC/DC-converters each connected to one
common inverter via a common DC-link. A functional
- losses due to
block performing local MPP-tracking and monitoring - rated power of a missmatch of
tasks is assigned to each of the DC/DC-converters. converter unit is limited
PV-modules
Furthermore the Multi-String-converter contents a to approx. 2 kW - costly DC-installation
common Operational Control Unit (OCU) performing the
following tasks : + high energy yield due + rated power of
• Start/Stop-control to local MPP-tracking converter unit is not
limited
• Realisation of safety functions (e.g. protection + cost reduction in PV-
system technology + very low specific
against islanding) + optimum monitoring of converter costs
• Control of line current PV system
• Supervisory control of the common inverter
section
• Communication with operator or owner of PV- Multi-String-Converter string -central-eurosun .ppt

system Fig. 3: Multi-String Technology summarises the

All components are located in a single housing (IP65) advantages of Central PV-Converters and String-
that can be used in harsh environment directly in the PV- Converters
field adjacent to the PV-modules.
Fig. 3 shows that the Multi-String-converter summarises
PV-Modules Multi-String-Converter Utility Grid the positive aspects of Central-PV-converter and String-
converter concept and omits the drawbacks.
String 1
The development of a PV-converter based on the new
... = = Multi-String-Concept leads to a significant cost reduction
MPP1
= ~ of String-converters while still using the advantages of
Common
String 2 Inverter the String-converter technology.
... = OCU The main features of the Multi-String technology are:
MPP2
= Common • optimum energy yield
Operational
String 3 Control • optimum monitoring of strings
... = Unit • low specific costs of PV converter
= Common • minimum costs of PV-system installation
MPP3
String-orientated DC-Link • nominal power of converter unit not limited
MPP-controlled
DC/DC-converter
Modular • modular extendibility
Extendability
Block-eurosun.ppt

Fig. 2: General structure of a Multi-String-converter

2.2 The Multi-String-converter combines the
advantages of String-converter and Central PV-
converter technology
In recent years Central PV-converters and String-
converters have emerged as the main competitors in the
field of PV-system technology. Each converter stands for
2.3 Multi-String-converter for optimum energy yield
Since each string of PV-Modules has its dedicated
DC/DC-converter including local MPP-control and
monitoring function an optimum operational behaviour
can be achieved. Consequently failures of the PV-
generator can be detected instantaneously and the defect
part of the generator can be located very precisely. The
function of the PV-plant is not effected by a breakdown
of a single PV-module.
An optimal energy yield can be obtained using Multi- blocks and components can be left out: In the particular
String-Converters especially in PV-Systems consisting of example of a PV-System illustrated in Fig. 5.b one Multi-
strings with different operational behavior and conditions. String-converter replaces n String-converters.
The examples in Fig. 4 show that the Multi-String- Consequently n-1 of each of the items listed below can
Converter is absolutely suitable for connecting strings be omitted:
with different nominal values, size or type of solar cells • Measuring and monitoring devices for line voltage
as well as strings with different orientations (West, South, and current
East) or different grades of shadings, to a single PV- • Control and drivers for inverter section
converter. • Operational Control Unit (OCU) including:
- Mains monitoring device with allocated
a) Switching Device (MSD, in German: ENS)
= = - Residual Current operated protective Device
= ~
- Communication module
= OCU Furthermore the Multi-String-converter replaces several
=
(n) small components with single enlarged ones like:
= • housing of converter
=
• connectors and relais for line (dis)connection
• EMC-Filter, AC-Filter, heatsink …
b) a) String 1 String 2 String n

West = = PV PV ... PV
= ~
...
=
South = OCU
. . .
. . .
. . .
East =
=
. . .

...

String
c) =
OCU
=
OCU converters
...
=
OCU
~ ~ ~
= = Converter 2
= ~ Converter 1
230V / 400 V
Converter n

1,3 50 Hz / 60 Hz
=
= OCU
Utility Grid
=
=
String 1 String 2 String n
Opt- yield- eurosun. ppt
b) PV PV ... PV

Fig. 4: Application of Multi-String-converters for PV-

...
Systems with strings having strongly different
characteristics . . .
. . .
a) Strings with different nominal power and/or . . .
. . .
voltage, size, type of solar cells
b) Strings with different orientation (West, South, ...
East)
= = ... = Multi-String
c) Strings with different grades of shading OCU = = = converter
= ~
1,3
230V / 400 V
50 Hz / 60 Hz

2.4 Low specific costs of PV-converter

Utility Grid
Although String-converters have reached a very low price S t r i n gmultistring
- .ppt

level the reduction of the specific costs (€/W) is still

possible by using synergy effects. As shown in Fig. 5.a a
PV-system applying several (n) String-converters
comprises some converter components implemented
n times although they are just need once. In order to
reduce the converter costs these redundant functional
Fig. 5: a) PV-system with several String-Converters
b) PV-system with one Multi-String-Converter
(OCU: Operation Control Unit)
2.5 Minimum costs of PV-system installation trend is expected to continue the Multi-String-converter
has the capability for modular functional extendibility.
One of the main features that lead to the success of the
String-Converters was the massive reduction of costs
Because of the increased nominal power of the Multi-
associated with the PV-system installation (e.g. reduced
String-converter the implementation of the additional
DC-cabling and DC-distribution, omitted series diodes
functions in the OCU of the Multi-String-converter is
and DC-connection cases). This advantage is adopted by
economical compared to small String-converters. The
the Multi-String-converter due to the string-oriented
additional costs caused by the enhanced functionality of
structure of the concept. Therefore the overall costs of the
the OCU result in a marginal increase in specific
PV-system are minimised using Multi-String-converter.
converter costs (€/W) only. In particular the enhanced
functionality comprises:
• Power Quality Control
2.6 Modular extendibility for realisation of PV systems • Wireless Communication
of any size These functions are described in some detail in
Section 4.2.
Due to the modular concept the Multi-String-converter
can be applied to PV-systems of any size by equipping
the converter with the desired number of DC/DC-
converters.
3 FIRST GENERATION OF MULTI-STRING-
Depending on the nominal power of the PV-System the CONVERTER: Sunny Boy 5000 Multi-String
inverter section of the Multi-String-Converter is realised
either using a single-phase or a three-phase topology. 3.1 Structure of the “Sunny Boy 5000 Multi-String”
Examples for three-phase realisations are given in Fig. 6.
The first generation of the Multi-String-Converter called
Sunny Boy 5000 Multi-String will be brought to market in
a) b)
= = = spring 2001. As shown in Fig. 7 the Sunny Boy 5000
= ~ =
=
= OCU =
=
Multi-String comprises three MPP-controlled DC/DC-
= = ~
~ converters connected to a common single-phase inverter
= =
=
= =
=
OCU
section. The maximum AC-power is 5 kW.
Converter 1
= N L1 L2 L3
=
=

=
= = = SCI MSD CDC COM RSD ACC
=
= ~ =
= =
OCU Operational Control Unit (OCU)
= =
= =
= =
=
= MPP-
Control
Converter 2 =
=
PV-
= = String DC/DC-converter common single-
= ~ phase inverter ultility
= 3-phase Multi- grid
= MPP-
OCU String-Converter Control
=
=
N L1 L2 L3
=
= PV-
DC-link

String DC/DC-converter
Converter 3 1-phase Multi-
String-Converter Three-phase.ppt
MPP-
Control

Fig. 6: Examples for the realisation of three-phase PV- PV-

String DC/DC-converter
systems using Multi-String-Converter Sunny Boy 5000 Multi-String
a) three single-phase units sb5000eurosun.vsd

b) one three-phase unit Fig. 7: Structure of the first generation Multi-String

converter: Sunny Boy 5000 Multi-String

2.7 Modular extendibility for an enhanced functionality
of the Operational Control Unit (OCU)
In recent years the requirements on PV-converters have
shifted from “just–converting-PV-energy” to PV-
converters with numerous additional functions (e.g.
communication via Powerline, providing a history of
events, statistical analysis of delivered energy). Since this
The OCU of the Multi-String-converter includes all state-
of-the-art functions common for String-converters:
SCI Supervisory Control of Inverter section
CDC Co-ordination and supervision of the DC/DC-
Converters. For this purpose the OCU
communicates with the controller of the DC/DC-
converters
ACC AC-current Control for sinusoidal line current
COM Communication with Operator of PV-system via: 3.3 Topology of the “Sunny Boy 5000 Multi-String”
LCD-Display, Powerline, RS-485 or RS-232
An extensive investigation in order to identify the most
MSD Mains monitoring device with allocated Switching
suitable topology for the Sunny Boy 5000 Multi-String
Device (MSD, in German: ENS according to
has been carried out. The topology shown in Fig. 8 has
VDE 0126)
proven the best solution according to the criteria: costs,
RCD Residual Current operated protective Device
efficiency, size, weight, system aspects. Like the String-
sensitive to all kinds of currents (RCD).
Converter Sunny Boy 2000 the Sunny Boy 5000 Multi-
String is based on a transformerless concept. This offers a
very high efficiency especially in partial load range.
3.2 Technical data of the Sunny Boy 5000 Multi-String
The Sunny Boy 5000 Multi-String has been designed The DC/DC-converters uses a boost topology in order to
according to the requirements of the PV-market. Due to provide the wide input voltage range.
the wide range of input voltage of 150 V (minimum
MPP-Voltage) to 750 V (maximum open circuit voltage) The energy storage capacitors (Cpos and Cneg) are located
the Sunny Boy 5000 Multi-String can be connected to in the DC-link. Since the Multi-String-converter operates
almost every kind of PV-module available. Table 1 with a constant DC-link voltage the capacitors are
summarises preliminary technical data of the first running constantly close to their rated voltage.
generation of SMA’s Multi-String-converter. Furthermore no reactive power caused by the 100 Hz-
pulsation of the AC-power has to run DC/DC-converters.
Table 1: Preliminary technical data of the Sunny Boy
The inverter section of the Sunny Boy 5000 Multi-String
5000 Multi-String
is made up by a Half-Bridge Inverter. This inverter
Maximum AC-power: 5 kW topology has been identified in [3] as the most compact
Nominal AC-power: 4.6 kW topology (lowest number of switches and Diodes)
Maximum efficiency: 96 % suitable for transformerless PV-systems. The main
Input voltage range: 150 V ... 750 V advantages of this topology are the nearly neglectable
Maximum power per String: 2200 Wp AC-component of the PV-module-to-Earth-voltage VPV-PE
Weight: < 30 kg and the simplicity of the topology (just two switches and
Stand-by power consumption: << 1 W diodes needed). Due to the low AC-component of VPV-PE
Ambient Temperature range: -25ºC ... + 60ºC the effort for EMC-filtering on the DC-side of the
converter is much smaller compared to other inverter
Housing (stainless steel): IP 65
topologies and the size of the heavy and costly filter
inductors can be reduced to a minimum. This leads to a

DC/DC-converter 1
String 1 I PV_1 I DC_1
PV+
L DC DDC

VPV_1 Cin S DC
Cout

single-phase inverter stage

PV-

String 2 DC/DC-converter 2
PV+ I DC_2

Cpos S1
Utility
iAC
L1 grid
L AC
PV- VDC
String 3 DC/DC-converter 3 I Cneg S2
PV+ DC_3
VAC

VPV-PE
N,PE

HBtopology-eurosun.vsd

PV-

Fig. 8: Topology of the Power Electronics of the Sunny Boy 5000 Multi-String
specific weight (kg/W) of the Sunny Boy 5000 Multi-
String comparable to other PV-converters in the same
power range [4].
3.4 Control strategy of the Sunny Boy 5000 Multi-String
The simplified structure of the Multi-String-converter
control strategy is shown Fig. 9. For reasons of simplicity
only one out of three DC/DC-converters is depicted. This
control strategy can generally be applied to Multi-String-
converters comprising any number of DC/DC-converters.
• Insulation supervision (for detection of earth faults in
stand-by mode of operation)
• Residual Current operated protective Device sensitive
of all kinds of current (RCD) on the AC-side
(according to DIN VDE 0126) (for detection of earth
faults in grid connected mode of operation)
• Mains monitoring device with allocated Switching
Device (MSD, in German: ENS according to
VDE 0126)

The control is divided into two parts: control of inverter
section (AC-control) and control of the DC/DC-
converters (DC-control). The main control tasks are
assigned as follows:
• AC-control: control of line current (IAC)
• DC-control: MPP-Control for each of the DC/DC-
converters.
The controllers operate independently from each other
although they are coupled via the controlled system. The
mutual influence of AC- and DC-control loops as well as
the line voltage (VAC) and PV-current can be regarded as
disturbance. VDC and IPV_1 are disturbances for the DC-
control loop and IDC_1, IDC_2, IDC_3 and VAC are
disturbances for the AC-control loop.
IPV_1 VDC IDC_1 IDC_2 IDC_3
DC-Converter 1 Common Inverter
4 SECOND GENERATION OF MULTI-STRING
CONVERTERS
4.1 Customer defined Multi-String-converters
Following the Sunny Boy 5000 Multi-String a second
generation of Multi-String-converters will be launched.
Additional modules in form of a “construction set” will
be offered in order to enable the customer to configure
“his” Multi-String-converter tailored to his specific
requirements.
In Fig. 10 a PV-converter with four separately MPP-
controlled, galvanicly isolated DC/DC-converters and a
three-phase grid connection is shown as an example for a
second generation Multi-String-converter. In
supplementation to the functional modules provided by
VAC first generation Multi-String (SCI, MSD, RCD and CDC:
abbreviations explained in section 2.7) a module for
“Wireless Communication” and a module for “Power
Quality Control” have been added to the operational
control unit.

λ DC_1 λAC Wireless

Commu-
Power
Quality
SCI MSD nication
RCD CDC Control

DC-Control AC-Control
ms-contr-simple.vsd
Operational Control Unit

Fig. 9: Simplified structure of the control strategy for MPP-

Control
Multi-String-converters
DC/DC-converter with common 3-phase
galvanic isolation
inverter
MPP-
Control
3.5 Safety Concept for transformerless Multi-String-
Converters
DC - link

DC/DC-converter with
galvanic isolation
The safety concept of the Sunny Boy 5000 Multi-String
MPP-
provides a very high safety standard for the operation of a Control

grid connected PV-system. It is based on SMA’s long

term experience with the award-winning transformerless DC/DC-converter with
galvanic isolation
String-converters Sunny Boy 1500/2000 [5]. MPP-
The personal safety is achieved by applying the following Control

measures (according to EN 50178):

• Class II PV-modules and cabling DC/DC-converter with
galvanic isolation
customer defined
Multi-string-converter
• Class I housing of converter (connected to protective 2nd-generation.vsd

earth, PE) Fig. 10: Customer-defined Multi-string-converter of the

• Basic insulation plus supplementary insulation of second generation (PV-strings and utility grid not
electronic components inside the converter shown)
4.2 Additional Modules projected for the second
generation Multi-String-converters
This section describes the additional modules for the
“Multi-String-Construction-Set” depicted in Fig. 11.
wireless MPP-
Power
Commu- Control
nication Quality
(e.g. DECT, Control
GSM) DC/DC-converter with
galvanic isolation
common three-phase 50 Hz
inverter stage
Transformer constr-set-2nd-gen.vsd
Fig. 11: Additional Modules for the “Multi-String-
construction-set”
a. Power Quality Control
The use of PV-converters for improvement of power
quality is becoming more and more important because of
the deregulation of the European electricity market. The
deregulation can result in a significant deterioration of the
power quality. The increasing number of consumers with
non-linear characteristics connected to the grid
emphasises the necessity for countermeasures that
improve the power quality.
Since disturbances are generated all over the utility grid
the compensation of harmonics and reactive power has
also to be realised in a decentralised manner in order to
have an optimum effect. Due to the decentralised
character of the generation of Photovoltaic energy grid
connected PV-converters are very much suited to be used
as active filters and reactive power compensators [6].
By adding a “Power Quality Control” module the Multi-
String-converter can additionally be used to improve
quality of electrical power supply by means of reactive
power compensation and active filtering for
compensation of harmonics.
b. Wireless Communication
The number of electrical appliances with wireless
communication capabilities is continuously increasing.
[7] gives an example for a typical household appliance
equipped with a GSM communication module.
In PV-systems wireless communication modules based
on DECT-Standard (Digital Enhanced Cordless Tele-
communication) or GSM-Standard (Global System for
Mobile Telecommunication) are versatile tools for remote
monitoring purposes. The operator or owner of the PV-
system has unlimited access to the information provided
by the Multi-String-converter and will be notified on
demand or immediately in the unlikely event of a PV-
system failure. Consequently numerous maintenance
tasks can be carried out from the operators desktop and
costly trips to the PV-systems can be avoided.
In case of a DECT-communication module the Multi-
String-converter can be coupled easily to the domestic
telephone system as a digital extension.
c. Three-phase Inverter Section
Depending on the nominal power of the PV-System the
inverter section of the Multi-String-converter is equipped
with a single-phase or a three-phase inverter section. The
use of a three-phase inverter section would be
recommended for PV-systems above 10 kW.
d. Galvanic Isolation
In order to complete the range of additional modules two
different concepts for the realisation of PV-systems with
galvanic isolation are introduced:
• 50Hz-Transformer for Large-Scale-Systems
• DC/DC-converter with galvanic isolation
realised with HF-transformer
5 CONCLUSIONS
The introduction of the new Multi-String technology can
be regarded as a further milestone in the development of
PV-system technology. The development of a PV-
converter based on the new Multi-String-Concept leads to
a significant cost reduction of String-converters while
still using the advantages of the String-converter
technology.
Beside the reduced specific costs the main features of the
Multi-String-converter are best operational performance
resulting in an optimum energy yield, modularity and
extendibility. First units for field-tests of the new
“Sunny Boy 5000 Multi-String” representing the first
generation of PV-converters in Multi-String technology
are available in autumn 2000.
Finally, Table 2 summarises the innovative ideas that
resulted in the development of the Multi-String-converter.
 Table 2: Innovative ideas of Multi-String-converter development
System’s to the
lead
Requirements Solution
via

for improvement of ... new technologies in the area of ... characterised by ...

• Specific PV-converter costs and • Reduced specific costs (€/W) with

• MULTI-STRING-Concept
maximised rated power of enlarged rated power of string
(converter topology)
converters units in string technology converters

• System‘s operational behaviour
connecting strings having strongly
different characteristics
• Modularity
• Power quality of limited area of the
utility grid
• Monitoring and diagnosis
• MPP-Tracking of every single
string
• Modular DC/DC-converters and
inverter section
• active filter for harmonics and
reactive power
• wireless link (e.g. DECT/GSM)
• Optimum annual energy yield
• PV-converter tailored to customer
requirements
• reduced harmonic content of power
supply
• wireless monitoring available for
system operators Approach-e u r o.ppt

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This work was partly funded by the “Bundesministerium
für Wirtschaft und Technologie (BMWi)” of the Federal
Republic of Germany under the contract number
0329864. The authors are responsible for the content of
the paper.
REFERENCES
[1] Cramer, G. and Greizer, F.: From line-commutated
converters to Multi-String (published in German:
Vom netzgeführten Stromrichter zu Multi-String):
Journal: Erneuerbare Energien, No. 2/2000, pp.10-12
[2] Schmela, M.: The beauty and the beast, Journal:
Photon International, No. 3/2000, pp. 10 - 12
[3] Calais, M, et. al.: Multilevel Converters for Single-
Phase Grid Connected Photovoltaic Systems: An
Overview, Solar Energy Vol.66, No. 5/1999, pp. 325
– 335
[4] Welter, P.: Market Survey - PV Converters (in
German), Photon Vol. 3/ 1998 pp. 10 – 12
[5] Electrical Energy – Home Made (published in
German: Strom hausgemacht), Journal: test, published
by: Stiftung Warentest, Berlin, No 9, September 1999,
pp. 66 - 71
[6] Burger. B. and Zacharias, P.: Improvement of Power
Quality – Decentralised use of Power converters (in
German: Dezentraler Einsatz von Stromrichtern -
Stromqualität verbessern) Journal: Erneuerbare
Energien, No. 4/2000, pp. 29 - 32
[7] Schramm, M.: The Washing Mashine communicates
via internet and mobile telephone (published in
German: Bei Anruf Schleudern – Die
Waschmaschine Margherita kommuniziert über
Internet und Handy) Newspaper: Frankfurter
Allgemeine Zeitung, Issue: 14. Dec. 1999, p. T12