STRING INVERTERS

[EIRI/EDPR/3841] J.C.: 1950

INTRODUCTION

What is an Inverter?

An inverter can be defined as it is a compact and rectangular shaped electrical

equipment used to convert direct current (DC) voltage to alternating current (AC)
voltage in common appliances. The applications of DC involves several small types
of equipment like solar power systems. Direct current is used in many of the small
electrical equipment such as solar power systems, power batteries, power-sources,
fuel cells because these are simply produced direct current.

The basic role of an inverter is to change DC power into AC power. The AC power
can be supplied to homes, and industries using the public utility otherwise power
grid, the alternating-power systems of the batteries can store only DC power. In
addition, almost all the household appliances, as well as other electrical
equipment can be functioned by depending on AC power.

In some cases, generally, the input voltage is lesser whenever the output voltage is
equivalent to the grid supply voltage of either 120 V otherwise 240 V based on the
country. These devices are standalone devices for some applications like solar
power. There are different types of inverters available in the market based on the
switching waveform shape. An inverter uses DC power sources to provide an AC
voltage to giving the supply to the electronic as well as electrical equipment.

Solar Inverters

A solar inverter helps in converting the direct current into alternate current with
the help of solar power. Direct power is that power which runs in one direction
inside the circuit and helps in supplying current when there is no electricity. ...
Solar inverters are also called as photovoltaic solar inverters.

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Working Principle of a Solar Inverter

The inverters work by taking in power from a Direct Current (DC) Source, i.e., the
solar panel. The power is generated in the range of 250 Volts to 600 Volts. DC
power is converted into AC power by the inversion process taking place in the
inverter. This process of DC to AC Conversion is achieved by using a set of solid
state devices like Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT’s.). These devices when
connected in a typical H-Bridge arrangement oscillate the DC power thereby
creating AC power.

A step up transformer is used in between the devices. At this stage, the AC power
output is obtained, which is either consumed by the local loads or can be fed to
the grid. A few manufacturers have started manufacturing transformer-less
inverters which have higher efficiencies as compared to inverters having
transformers.

In any solar power inverter a micro-controller chip is present which is

programmed to execute various complex algorithms in a precise manner. The
controller maximizes the power output from the photovoltaic panels through the
Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm.

Components of a Solar Inverter

Capacitors - are used to filter ripple contents (undesirable phenomenon due to

semi-conductor switching) on dc lines. It is also be used to keep the dc bus voltage
stable and minimize losses between the PV array and the inverter.

Software and monitoring - the software designed to run on the inverter’s digital
signal processor or microcontroller. Data monitoring is important since it lets
owners and installers know its status and provides quick alerts if there are any
faults.

Solid state switches – they are basically a combination of power semiconductors

– IGBTs, Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFETs) or both in
some cases – to invert dc to ac power.

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Magnetic components – these include the inductor and the transformer to filter
the wave shapes and smoothening them, and bring ac voltages to the correct
levels for grid interconnection. They also provide isolation between the dc circuits
and the ac grid.

Solar Inverter Advantages:

After knowing in detail what a solar inverter is and how different useful it is to
make appliances work at residential and industrial levels we must discuss about
the many advantages of the device.

 Solar energy has always helped in reducing global warming and green house
effect.

 Also use of solar energy helps in saving money many people have started
using solar based devices

 A solar inverter helps in converting the Direct current into batteries or

alternative current. This helps people who use limited amount of electricity.

 There is this synchronous solar inverter that helps small homeowners and
power companies as they are large in size

 Then there is this multifunction solar inverter which is the best among all
and works efficiently. It converts the DC power to AC very carefully which is
perfect for commercial establishments

 This inverter is cost effective i.e. less expensive than generators

 Apart from solar inverters there are other devices too that make use of solar
energy namely, solar cooker, heater.

 Solar inverters are the best way and they are better than the normal electric
ones. Also their maintenance does not cost much money

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Solar Inverter Disadvantages:

 Initially you need to shell out a lot of money for buying a solar inverter

 It will work effectively and produce direct current only when the Sunlight is
strong.

 The solar panels that are used to attract Sunlight requires lots of space

 The device can work efficiently only if the presence of the Sun is strong.

 Solar Inverters can work when there is no Sunlight but provided their
battery is charged fully with the help of Sunlight.

Types of Solar Inverters –

1. String Inverters

These are the most common type of inverter used for residential purposes. All the
solar inverters above are basically a string inverters. It is called a string inverter
because there is a large number of strings are connected on them.

String inverters

A string inverter is the type most commonly used in home and commercial solar
power systems. It is a large-ish box that is often situated some distance away from
the solar array. Depending on the size of the installation, there may be more than
one string inverter present.

Leading string solar inverter brands are Sungrow and SMA.

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String inverter advantages

 Allows for high design flexibility

 High efficiency
 Robust
 3 phase variations available
 Low cost
 Well supported (if buying trusted brands)
 Remote system monitoring capabilities

1. Smaller in size when compared to central inverters

2. Better MPPT capability per string
3. Scalability for future expansion by adding parallel strings
4. Short DC wires
5. Monitoring at string level

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 CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS AN INVERTER?
SOLAR INVERTERS
WORKING PRINCIPLE OF A SOLAR INVERTER
COMPONENTS OF A SOLAR INVERTER
SOLAR INVERTER ADVANTAGES:
SOLAR INVERTER DISADVANTAGES:
TYPES OF SOLAR INVERTERS –
1. STRING INVERTERS
STRING INVERTERS
STRING INVERTER ADVANTAGES
STRING INVERTER DISADVANTAGES
2. CENTRAL INVERTERS
CENTRAL INVERTERS
ADVANTAGES OF A CENTRAL INVERTER
DISADVANTAGES OF A CENTRAL INVERTER
3. MICROINVERTERS
ADVANTAGES OF MICRO INVERTERS
DISADVANTAGES OF MICRO INVERTERS
COMPONENTS OF A SOLAR INVERTER
IGBT
MOSFET
CAPACITOR
RESISTOR
IC CD4047
USES AND APPLICATIONS
B.I.S. SPECIFICATION
PROCESS FLOW CHART
MANUFACTURING PROCESS
PCB DESIGNING
PCB STANDS FOR PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD. IT IS OF TWO TYPES:
PCB CONSTRUCTION
1. LAYOUT DESIGNING
2. TRANSFER OF PATTERN
3. ETCHING
4. TINNING
5. DRILLING
6. SOLDERING
7. SURFACE CLEANING

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QUALITY CONTROL
SOLAR INVERTER QUALITY TESTING
INGRESS PROTECTION (IP) TESTING
BUILT QUALITY CHECK
HOT SPOTS AND TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
FUNCTIONS TEST
TEST PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
(1) INVERTER DC INPUT POWER SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS
DC INPUT CHARACTERIZATION
MAXIMUM POWER POINT VOLTAGE TRACKING RANGE
TEST PROCEDURE
REPORTED VALUES
MAXIMUM POWER POINT CURRENT TRACKING RANGE
TEST PROCEDURE
REPORTED VALUES
(2) INVERTER AC OUTPUT (SIMULATED UTILITY) POWER
SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS
MAXIMUM CONTINUOUS OUTPUT POWER
TEST PROCEDURE
REPORTED VALUES
(3) MPPT STEADY STATE RESPONSE TEST
WHERE
MPPT TEST PROCEDURE
MPPT DYNAMIC RESPONSE TEST:
(4) INVERTER PERFORMANCE FACTOR/INVERTER YIELD
TEST PROCEDURE
PROCESS OF TESTING AND CERTIFICATION
SERIES GUIDELINES
DOCUMENTATION
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION SHOULD ALSO BE PROVIDED
WITH THE SAMPLES;
MARKING:
GUIDELINES FOR QUANTITATIVE SELECTION OF SAMPLES
RETESTING GUIDELINES FOR ANY TEST FAILURES:
PASS CRITERIA
MARKET POSITION
SOLAR INVERTER COMPANIES FACING STRONG DOWNWARD PRICING
TRENDS:
WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THE INDIAN SOLAR
INVERTER MARKET IN 2020?
HOW DO YOU FORESEE COMPETITION GOING FORWARD IN THE INDIAN
MARKET?
WHAT ABOUT BIS STANDARDS CERTIFICATION?

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WHAT TRENDS DO YOU SEE WHEN IT COMES TO CENTRAL INVERTERS
AND STRING INVERTERS FOR GROUND-MOUNTED PROJECTS?
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES IN THE INDIAN SOLAR
INVERTER MARKET?
WHAT ARE YOUR PRODUCT DIFFERENTIATORS?
ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
INDIA SOLAR POWER EQUIPMENT MARKET OVERVIEW
INDIA SOLAR POWER EQUIPMENT MARKET SEGMENT INSIGHTS
INDIA SOLAR POWER EQUIPMENT MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS
INDIA SOLAR POWER EQUIPMENT MARKET COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PLANT LAYOUT
SUPPLIERS OF SOLAR STRING INVERTER
SUPPLIERS OF RAW MATERIALS
SUPPLIERS OF PCB
SUPPLIERS OF TRANSISTERS
SUPPLIERS OF DIODES
SUPPLIERS OF RESISTOR
SUPPLIERS OF CAPACITOR
SUPPLIERS OF MOSFET
SUPPLIERS OF INTEGRATED CIRCUIT
SUPPLIERS OF POWER CORD
SUPPLIERS OF BUZZERS
SUPPLIERS OF JUMPRE WIRE
SUPPLIERS OF MPPT UNIT
SUPPLIERS OF PLANT AND MACHINERY
SUPPLIERS OF INVERTER ASSEMBLY LINE
SUPPLIERS OF PRECISION MEASURING TOOLS
SUPPLIERS OF ELECTRICAL MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
SUPPLIERS OF DG SETS
SUPPLIERS OF EOT CRANES
SUPPLIERS OF POWER TRANSFORMERS
SUPPLIERS OF ELECTRICAL PANEL
SUPPLIERS OF ELECTRIC MOTOR
SUPPLIERS OF COOLING TOWER
SUPPLIERS OF AIR POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENTS
SUPPLIERS OF AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENTS
SUPPLIERS OF AIR COMPRESSORS
SUPPLIERS OF PLATFORM WEIGHING MACHINE
SUPPLIERS OF MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENTS
SUPPLIERS OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENTS
SUPPLIERS OF JIGS AND FIXTURE
SUPPLIERS OF SUBMERSIBLE WATER PUMP

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APPENDIX – A:
01. PLANT ECONOMICS
02. LAND & BUILDING
03. PLANT AND MACHINERY
04. OTHER FIXED ASSESTS
05. FIXED CAPITAL
06. RAW MATERIAL
07. SALARY AND WAGES
08. UTILITIES AND OVERHEADS
09. TOTAL WORKING CAPITAL
10. TOTAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT
11. COST OF PRODUCTION
12. TURN OVER/ANNUM
13. BREAK EVEN POINT
14. RESOURCES FOR FINANCE
15. INSTALMENT PAYABLE IN 5 YEARS
16. DEPRECIATION CHART FOR 5 YEARS
17. PROFIT ANALYSIS FOR 5 YEARS
18. PROJECTED BALANCE SHEET FOR (5 YEARS)

COST ESTIMATION

Plant Capacity 666.67 Nos/Day

Land & Building (2000 sq.mt.) Rs. 2.70 Cr
Plant & Machinery Rs. 6.98 Cr
Working Capital for 2 Months Rs. 554 Cr
Total Capital Investment Rs. 564 Cr
Rate of Return 283%
Break Even Point 5%

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