Design, optimisation and application of a resonant DC link inverter for solar energy systems

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine diminish switching losses in a solar energy conversion system in order to utilise the full efficiency of a solar panel.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a boost converter and a resonant DC link (RDCL) inverter are controlled by a microcontroller. The maximum power point tracker (MPPT) algorithm implemented for boost converter supplies to track maximum power point of solar panel. The Class D full-bridge resonant inverter (RI) that is considered to be supplied by boost converter is modeled and zero voltage switching operation is performed by controlling the inverter with sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM) control scheme. The control algorithm is managed with a feedback detecting the current of the boost converter and the zero voltage levels of capacitor voltage in the resonant circuit.

Findings

There are several control techniques have been proposed to reduce switching losses and harmonic contents in conventional or RDCL inverters. Solar panels are used in low power applications among other renewable energy sources. By considering that the efficiency parameter of an actual solar panels is around 14∼17 per cent, the switching losses occurred in energy conversion systems causes the efficiency are reduced.

Originality/value

The proposed approach has been decreased the switching power losses owing to resonant DC link inverter while the developed MPPT algorithm provides to generate maximum power. This paper introduces a novel soft switching technique in solar energy applications in order to maximise the possible efficiency.

Citation

Colak, I., Demirtas, M. and Kabalci, E. (2014), "Design, optimisation and application of a resonant DC link inverter for solar energy systems", COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, Vol. 33 No. 5, pp. 1761-1776. https://doi.org/10.1108/COMPEL-06-2013-0200