What is the working principle of solar photovoltaic inverter?

The working principle of solar photovoltaic inverter is a crucial element in solar energy systems. It plays a vital role in transforming DC electricity produced by solar panels into AC power, ensuring compatibility with the power grid for household or industrial use.

The working principles can be explained in detail through five key aspects:

(1) The photovoltaic panels harness solar energy, converting it into DC power via the photoelectric effect. This transformation happens in the semiconductor materials of the solar panels. When sunlight strikes the semiconductor, photons energize electrons, creating electron-hole pairs and resulting in DC current production.

(2) This DC current is transmitted to the micro inverter via cables. Central to the micro inverter’s function is the control integrated circuit (IC), which collects voltage and current details from the solar panels. Following this, the collected data generates a PWM (pulse width modulation) signal that regulates the switching frequency and duty cycle of the IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor) switch.

(3) Influenced by the PWM signal, the IGBT switch regulates the DC output current. During this process, the micro inverter modifies the output voltage and frequency to align with the grid's standards, ensuring seamless integration with home or commercial power sources.

(4) Micro inverters also feature maximum power point tracking (MPPT) capabilities. By continuously monitoring the output voltage and current from the solar panels, MPPT technology ensures the efficient extraction of the maximum possible power, significantly enhancing the overall efficiency of the entire photovoltaic system.

(5) The resulting AC power from the micro inverter is fed into the grid, catering to residential and industrial energy needs. The micro inverter is equipped with automatic operation capabilities and a shutdown mechanism, along with features to protect against unstable grid voltage or outages, thus maintaining the system's safety and reliability.

In conclusion, the functioning of solar photovoltaic micro-inverters is intricate, involving various steps such as photovoltaic energy conversion, DC power modulation, maximum power tracking, and grid synchronization. The seamless interaction of these components allows solar photovoltaic inverters to efficiently harness solar energy, converting it into usable AC power and providing sustainable energy solutions for both residential and industrial applications.