Determination of parasitic parameters in a high frequency magnetic to improve the manufacturability, performance, and efficiency of a PV inverter

The power electronic inverter is an essential element of the photovoltaic systems as it converts the native direct-current (DC) from the photovoltaic cells into grid-compatible alternating current (AC), performs maximum power point tracking, and includes safety control and circuitry. Therefore performance, efficiency, and manufacturability are vitally important in the design, cost, and operation of the PV systems. Magnetic components such as inductors and transformers play a significant role in the efficiency and size/weight of inverter. They are also amongst the most difficult components to design, often requiring numerous design-build-test iterations. Accurate prediction and design of winding parasitic parameters of high frequency inductors in PV inverters is fundamental to improve performance, lower cost, and speed time to market. This paper presents a technique and method to analyze high frequency inductors in PV inverters with a FEA tool, and accurately determining parasitic winding capacitance of the high frequency inductors for use in PV inverters. Comparison of the proposed methodology in FEA tool simulations results with experimental and empirical formula results show good agreement, supporting method as a model-based design tool with the potential to considerably reduce the design-prototype-test cycle commonly needed with sophisticated magnetic designs.