SBIR Phase I: Wide Bandgap Technology for Solar String Inverters

该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是使太阳能发电更有效率，更负担得起。因此，它促进了一个更安全、更绿色的环境。拟议的方法是新颖的，并有可能彻底改变太阳能发电。因此，它使美国在全球可再生能源市场上拥有技术和商业竞争优势。此外，该项目将使实习生接触到基于发现的练习，并将培训他们从事太阳能光伏系统的设计和开发工作。为了使太阳能市场的劳动力多样化，将鼓励来自少数群体和代表性不足群体的学生参与该项目的研究活动。该项目还促进了小企业、大学和研究机构之间潜在的研究合作和交流。因此，该项目将加强研究和教育的基础设施。这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目建议在串式太阳能逆变器中使用GaN器件。这项工作的创新方面有三个方面。I)这项工作将使用宽带隙(WBG)半导体器件。Ii)所提出的电路拓扑是一种新型逆变器，它利用耦合电感来消除在变流器输入和输出侧感应的电流纹波。Iii)所提出的逆变器作为合成频率响应储备器，以提高其本地电网的频率稳定性。所提出的电路拓扑是创造性的，并且允许显著减小滤波元件的尺寸。因此，这种太阳能逆变器的整体重量、体积和成本都低于其前身。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is to make solar generation more efficient and more affordable. Consequently, it promotes a safer and greener environment. The proposed approach is novel and has the potential to revolutionize solar generation. Therefore, it gives the U.S. a technological and commercial competitive edge in the global renewable energy market. Also, this project will expose interns to discovery-based exercises and will train them to work on the design and development of solar PV energy systems. In an attempt to diversify the workforce in the solar energy market, students from minority and underrepresented groups will be encouraged to engage in the research activities of this project. This project also fosters potential research collaborations and communications between small businesses, universities, and research institutions. Consequently, the project will enhance infrastructure for research and education.This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project proposes using GaN devices in string solar inverters. The innovative aspect of this work is threefold. i) Wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductor devices will be used in this effort. ii) The proposed circuit topology is a novel inverter which utilizes coupled inductors to cancel the current ripples induced on the input and output sides of the converter. iii) The proposed inverter acts as a synthetic frequency response reserve to improve the frequency stability of its local grid. The proposed circuit topology is creative and allows for significant reduction in the size of the filtering elements. Hence, the overall weight, volume, and cost of this solar inverter are lower than its predecessors.