Input Filter Capacitance and Inductance Design for Photovoltaic Systems

Abstract

This work selects a procedure to build a photovoltaic panel model that use only the datasheet data. After a model review, the revised equations are presented and used to estimate the power reduction when pulsed input current and continuous input current converters are connected to photovoltaic panels. The ripple produced by these converters reduces the extracted power from the panels even if a maximum power point tracking technique is used. The study shows that on pulsed input current converters the capacitance filter is needed. For these converters there is a significant power reduction, or the maximum power point tracking is unfeasible in some situations. For panels connected to continuous input current converters the work shows that the worst situation is to design the inductor filter on small solar irradiance. The connection of photovoltaic panel with inverters is review and the produced ripple is related with the power reduction of extracted power. The contributions of this paper are providing guidelines, equations and graphs in order to design input filters to ensure that the connected converter can achieve its best operation point and the best maximum power point tracking control for many conditions.