Grid-connected PV inverter reliability considerations: A review

With fast growing application of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, its reliability is being studied extensively. Note that the photovoltaic inverter is considered as the weakest link of a PV system. This paper, therefore, gives a review on reliability of the grid-connected photovoltaic inverter. The discussion mainly focus on two typical kinds of vulnerable inverter components, i.e., DC-capacitors and insulated gate bipolar transistor switches. The intent of this review is to provide a clear picture of reliability research in photovoltaic inverters. Finally, attempts are made to highlight the direction for future research.