Grid-connected photovoltaic inverters: Grid codes, topologies and control techniques

Abstract

The proliferation of solar power plants has begun to have an impact on utility grid operation, stability, and security. As a result, several governments have developed additional regulations for solar photovoltaic grid integration in order to solve power system stability and security concerns. With the development of modern and innovative inverter topologies, efficiency, size, weight, and reliability have all increased dramatically. This paper provides a thorough examination of all most aspects concerning photovoltaic power plant grid connection, from grid codes to inverter topologies and control. The reader is guided through a survey of recent research in order to create high-performance grid-connected equipments. Efficiency, cost, size, power quality, control robustness and accuracy, and grid coding requirements are among the features highlighted. Nine international regulations are examined and compared in depth, exposing the lack of a worldwide harmonization and a consistent communication protocol. The latest and most innovative inverter topologies that help to enhance power quality are compared. Modern control approaches are evaluated in terms of robustness, flexibility, accuracy, and disturbance rejection on both the DC and grid sides. The purpose of this review paper is to provide the reader with a comprehensive overview of alternatives and performance, highlighting lacks and deficiencies of recent technologies and critically discussing and proposing new solutions paving the way for future investigations and developments.