Novel inverter technology reduces utility-scale PV system costs

Total PV system design and installation costs can be lowered if key architectural elements can be changed. This paper describes a new grid-tie inverter technology that has two major elements. First, the DC outputs of PV modules are aggregated through an element termed a solar power optimizer and transmitter (SPOT), which produces a 2.5 kV output. In turn, SPOT outputs are connected to a novel inverter architecture. Termed a regulated current source inverter (RCSI), the advantages of the new inverter include lower switching speeds and corresponding losses, which makes it practical to scale up to the MW levels needed for utility-scale PV generation plants. The potential impact of the new approach is assessed by comparing costs for a nominal 10 MW plant using existing inverters based on pulse width modulation schemes and costs based on the novel technology.