Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems (SEGIS) proactive intelligent advances for photovotaic systems

This paper provides an overview of the activities of and progress made in the US DOE Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems (SEGIS) program. The work has now progressed from the “Conceptual Designs and Market Analysis” Stage 1 through the “Prototype Development” Stage 2. Twelve contractors completed the Stage 1 conceptual designs and market analysis. Best value competition resulted follow on work with control methodologies and hardware prototypes developed and completed by five contractors. The prototypes span system sizes from micro-inverters (200W) to commercial sizes through 100kW. Modularity of the designs enables larger applications. This SEGIS R&D is opening pathways for connecting PV systems to emerging intelligent utility grids and micro-grids. In addition to new grid-interconnection capabilities and “value added” features, the new hardware designs result in smaller, less material-intensive, and higher reliability products. The solutions and “value added” enabled by SEGIS systems will help drive the “advanced integrated system” concepts and “smart grid” evolutionary processes forward in a faster and more focused manner.