Improved Photovoltaic Arrays with Local Switched-Capacitor Converters

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案(公法111-5)资助的。这项研究的目的是改善带有开关电容功率转换器的住宅光伏安装。该方法考虑了一种系统拓扑，其中每个面板都连接到一个高电压增益开关电容转换器，其输出是并联的。这种方法将增加阵列的总输出功率，提高系统的可靠性。传统的光伏装置使用串联的几块电池板来实现高电压，而本项目使用并联连接。此外，还将推出开关电容转换器和并行阵列的新分析工具。该项目的智能优势在于对并联和串联光伏阵列的比较研究，开关电容转换器的详细性能建模和改进，以及将开关电容转换器与光伏阵列相结合以提高性能和可靠性。并联光伏阵列比串联阵列具有更大的性能潜力，开关电容变流器能够以高电压增益实现高效率的功率转换。该项目将结合这两个概念，在部分阴影条件下将阵列功率输出提高39%或更多。更广泛的影响该项目的更广泛影响是大幅增加太阳能发电的潜力，一个重要的本科生研究计划，以及在非技术和跨学科场所的广泛传播。本科生研究人员将参与该项目的每一步。招聘战略将强调吸引女性和少数族裔参加研究项目。研究结果将发表在涉及太阳能各个方面的跨学科期刊上。研究成果将被综合起来，并以一种适合非专家和非工程师的形式和论坛发表。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).The objective of this research is to improve residential photovoltaic installations with switched-capacitor power converters. The approach considers a system topology in which each panel is connected to a high-voltage-gain switched-capacitor converter, whose outputs are paralleled. This approach will increase the total array output power and improve system reliability. Conventional photovoltaic installations use several panels in series to achieve high voltage, whereas this project uses parallel connections. Also, new analysis tools for switched-capacitor converters and parallel arrays will be derived.Intellectual MeritThe intellectual merit of this project pertains to the comparative study of parallel- and series-connected photovoltaic arrays, detailed performance modeling and improvement of switched-capacitor converters, and the combination of switched-capacitor converters with photovoltaic arrays for improved performance and reliability. Parallel-connected photovoltaic arrays have a greater performance potential than series-connected arrays and switched-capacitor converters are capable of high-efficiency power conversion with high voltage gain. This project will combine the two concepts to increase array power output by 39% or more in partially shaded conditions.Broader Impacts The broader impacts of this project are the potential for greatly increased solar energy generation, a significant undergraduate research program, and broad dissemination in both non-technical and interdisciplinary venues. Undergraduate researchers will be involved in every step of the project. The recruitment strategy will emphasize attracting women and minorities to the research program. The results will be published in interdisciplinary journals that address all aspects of solar energy. The research results will be synthesized and published in a form and forum suitable for non-specialists and non-engineers.