Power converters for photovoltaic generation systems in smart grid applications

This paper presents an overview of the power converters that are adopted in PhotoVoltaic generation systems in the power range till 20 kW. For this type of renewable energy applications a double trend can be identified according to power conversion systems below few kW and higher than 3-5 kW. The paper deeply analyses both converter configurations also taking into consideration the control aspects connected to the efficient and reliable connection to the grid of such systems. Some experimental results are presented dealing with two prototypes belonging to each of the identified classes of converters.