Smart switch network for dynamic power routing in building-mounted photovoltaic systems

过去几年，全球光伏（PV）技术市场一直以每年30-40%的速度稳步增长，而且这一趋势仍在继续。国际能源署预测，到2030年，光伏能源将占世界能源消耗的5%左右，到2050年将占11%。建筑安装光伏系统是整个光伏市场的一个部门，也正在经历高增长，预计到2016年将达到110亿美元的市场。在加拿大，住宅和商业建筑上公用事业光伏系统的安装也在稳步增长。这种系统的一个关键挑战是通过消除发电后的功率损失来提高系统的整体成本效益。除了光伏板的转换效率外，如何有效地管理/调节所产生的光伏电力也决定了整个系统的性能。由于安装限制、不同的方向、倾斜、阴影、碎片等原因，模块之间的发电不均匀，往往导致输入到逆变器的最大可能功率小于最大可能功率，往往导致逆变器在最佳性能的最佳范围外运行。使用分布式逆变器会增加系统成本。同样重要的是要注意，大多数这些功率波动事件是不可预测的。采用智能电子电路将功率从模块动态路由到逆变器可以解决这一问题。AMCorp技术公司正在寻求一种解决方案，通过实时（动态）从单个串（甚至模块）到逆变器的功率路由。在这个Engage项目中，AMCorp和滑铁卢大学将共同合作，(i)开发一种智能网络解决方案，为交换电路提供动态监控和路由功能，（ii）建立一个创新的实验室测试平台，用于在强制条件下对路由器网络进行性能分析，（iii）通过评估PV/路由器网络系统在真实太阳能条件下建立净功率增益。该研究成果将为解决光伏发电系统的功率损耗问题提供一种高效、经济的解决方案。

The global market for photovoltaic (PV) technology has been steadily growing at an annual rate of 30-40% over the last several years, and this trend is continuing. The international Energy Agency predicts that PV energy will account for about 5% of world energy consumption in 2030 and 11% in 2050. Building installed PV systems, which is a sector in the overall PV market, is also undergoing high growth and is expected to be a US$ 11 billion market by 2016. Installation of utility-tied PV systems on residential and commercial buildings is undergoing a steady growth in Canada too. A key challenge in such systems is to improve the overall cost-effectiveness of the system by eliminating the post-generation power losses. In addition to the conversion efficiency of the PV panels, how effectively the generated PV power is managed/conditioned also determines the overall system performance. Non-uniform power generation among modules caused by mounting restrictions, different orientation, tilt, shading, debris etc., often result in less than the maximum possible power to be input to the inverter often causing the latter to operate outside the optimal range for best performance. Use of distributed inverters will increase the system cost. It is also important to note that most of these power fluctuation events are unpredictable. Employing intelligent electronic circuitry to dynamically route the power from modules to inverters can solve this problem. AMCorp technologies is seeking a solution through real-time (dynamic) routing of power from individual strings (or even modules) to the inverters. In this Engage project AMCorp and the University of Waterloo will work together, (i) to develop an intelligent network solution that provides dynamic monitoring and routing capabilities to the switching circuitry, (ii) to set up an innovative in-lab test-bed for performance analysis of the router network under forced conditions, and, (iii) to establish the net power gain through evaluation of the PV/router-network system under real solar conditions. The research outcome will provide an efficient, economic, solution to the power-loss problem in building installed PV systems.