Inverter is power electronic equipment which converts variable DC voltage produced by the PV panels to AC voltage of constant magnitude and frequency. It is the second most expensive component of a PV system. The cost of PV panels is on the decline. In order to make the system economically feasible it is desirable to minimize the cost of the inverter without degrading its performance. Thus, the challenge is to achieve high efficiency at low cost.

The course focuses on state of the art inverter topologies for integration of photovoltaics (PV) with the grid. The course starts off with basics of DC-AC conversion. Features and operation of PV inverters will be covered. The course includes discussion of different PV system configurations (e.g. central inverter, string inverter, multi-string inverter and module integrated inverter) with benefits and limitations of each scheme. Power electronic circuit configuration of PV inverters used in each scheme will be discussed. An overview of controller will be provided, with special emphasis on grid synchronization control (phase locked loop), maximum power point tracking and issues related to partial shading.

Power fed to the grid has to meet specific standards of total harmonic distortion, dc current injection and safety. These standards will be presented.

Finally, areas of research in PV inverter systems will be discussed. Key topics covered will be reactive power compensation using PV inverter, high reliability PV system and DC microgrids.

For more information please log on to http://www.ncpre.iitb.ac.in