Grid Integration of Solar Photovoltaic Systems

This book covers the various aspects of solar photovoltaic systems including measurement of solar irradiance, solar photovoltaic modules, arrays with MATLAB implementation, recent MPPT techniques, latest literature of converter design (with MATLAB Simulink models), energy storage for PV applications, balance of systems, grid integration of PV systems, PV system protection, economics of grid connected PV system and system yield performance using PV system. Challenges, issues and solutions related to grid integration of solar photovoltaic systems are also be dealt with.

The book is divided into 15 chapters. In Chapter 1, exposure to renewable energy sources is presented. Initiative taken by the Indian government to make solar energy feasible and economical are discussed. In Chapter 2, the basics of electrical engineering are included so that even a user who does not have a basic knowledge of electrical engineering may be able to understand a PV system. Predicting the availability of energy before deciding on the size of the power plant is very important; therefore, in Chapter 3, measurement and estimation of solar irradiance are included. In Chapter 4, solar cells, modules, and arrays are discussed. MPPT techniques play an important role in the design of solar PV systems, and a lot of research is underway in this field, so various techniques are discussed in depth in Chapter 5. Solar PV systems require specific power electronic converters to convert the power generated into useful power that can be directly interconnected with the utility grid and/or can be used for specific consumer applications locally. The roles of these power converters are critical, particularly when used in one of the most expensive energygenerating sources such as solar PV. Because the power converter/inverter is the interface of the distributed power system, any premature failure will make the entire system defunct; thus, this component needs to be selected carefully. These power converters need to be selected and designed optimally in order to provide maximum energy efficiency, ensuring reliability and safety of the overall solar PV system for different applications. In Chapter 6, different aspects of converters are discussed. Because the power generated from PV systems fluctuates, a form of backup is required. Therefore, energy storage for PV applications is explored in Chapter 7. Mounting structures and the balance of the system are described in Chapters 8 and 9, respectively. Assessing the site for PV applications is described in Chapter 10. Challenges and possible solutions to the integration of solar photovoltaic systems to the electrical grid are discussed in Chapter 11. Protection is an important component of any reliable system and is discussed in Chapter 12. The success of any technology depends on its cost effectiveness. The economics of generating power from a PV system is presented in Chapter 13. The performance of grid-connected PV systems is described in Chapter 14. The design of the inductor and isolation transformer is discussed in Chapter 15.