Fully Integrated PV Cell Power Nano-Inverter Using Submicron CMOS Technology

电源转换器通常连接到光伏(PV)面板，以便与电力网络的其余部分连接。光伏电池板最小的可接近构件称为电池，光伏电池板的输出端可以串联或并联，以实现更高的功率/电压水平。这种功率转换器通常使用分立的功率元件构建，并连接到光伏面板或光伏串的输出。阻碍能源获得最佳性能的一个主要挑战是光伏面板串中的光伏组件之间或面板中的光伏电池之间的不匹配。这是由不同的制造工艺、不同的老化/降解率以及其他外部因素造成的，例如光伏电池中的温度、或辐射水平。这些因素导致光伏系统的效率、寿命和性能显著下降。在本研究项目中，通过与Levven Electronics Ltd合作，设计了电源管理集成电路(PMIC)，以形成光伏面板中光伏电池的纳米逆变器。PMIC将采用亚微米CMOS工艺制造，并将成为控制单个光伏电池输出功率的纳米逆变器的核心。这种集成电源芯片将提高整体效率、成本、尺寸和可靠性，实现更低的碳排放和更智能的能源使用或生产。这项研究项目旨在通过开发前沿的智能微芯片集成技术来解决这一技术面临的技术挑战。这将为智能电网中分布式换流系统的新趋势的研究、开发和培训提供关键支持，并为加拿大人带来显著的社会、健康、环境和经济效益。

Power converters are normally connected to Photovoltaic (PV) panels in order to interface with the rest of thepower network. The smallest-accessible building block of the PV panel is called a cell and PV panel outputsmay be connected in series or parallel to achieve higher power/voltage levels. Such power converters arenormally built using discrete power components and are connected to the output of a PV panel or PV strings.One major challenge that prevents energy resources from obtaining their optimum performance is a mismatchbetween the PV panels in a string or between PV cells in a panel. This is caused by differences inmanufacturing processes, different rates of aging/degradation, and other external factors such as temperature, orirradiation level in PV cells. These factors cause a significant degradation of the efficiency, lifetime andperformance of the PV system.Through collaboration with Levven Electronics Ltd, in this research project, power management integratedcircuits (PMIC) are designed to form nano-inverters for PV cells in a PV panel. The PMIC will be fabricated insubmicron CMOS technology and will be the heart of nano-inverters that controls the output power of a singlePV cell. Such integrated power chips will improve overall efficiency, cost, size, and reliability, enabling lowercarbon emissions and smarter use or production of energy. This research project aims at addressing technicalchallenges with this technology, through the development of leading-edge smart microchip integratedtechnologies. This will provide critical support for the research, development, and training in new trends ofdistributed converters systems in smart grids, and generate significant social, health, environmental andeconomic benefits for Canadians.