Title :
A Microinverter for Building-Integrated Photovoltaics
Author :
Erickson, Robert W. ; Rogers, Aaron P.
Author_Institution :
Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO
Abstract :
A transformerless microinverter is described that is intended for integration into building materials such as residential roof shingles. The inverter achieves low profile (3 mm), high efficiency (95.1%) and high reliability capacitive energy storage using 125degC ceramics. It is intended to interface a 25 W photovoltaic array such as a small thin-film residential roof shingle to the 120 V AC utility. Design tradeoffs involving cost and efficiency are described, and operation of an experimental prototype is documented.
Keywords :
building integrated photovoltaics; energy storage; invertors; power generation reliability; building materials; building-integrated photovoltaics; ceramics; efficiency 95.1 percent; high reliability capacitive energy storage; power 25 W; small thin-film residential roof shingle; temperature 125 degC; transformerless microinverter; voltage 120 V; Building integrated photovoltaics; Building materials; Ceramics; Costs; Energy storage; Inverters; Photovoltaic systems; Prototypes; Solar power generation; Transistors;
Conference_Titel :
Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition, 2009. APEC 2009. Twenty-Fourth Annual IEEE
Conference_Location :
Washington, DC
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-2811-3
Electronic_ISBN :
1048-2334
DOI :
10.1109/APEC.2009.4802771