Performance Verification of High-Efficiency PV Power Conditioner Integrated with SiC MOSFETs and Cooperative Control Method

Abstract

A high conversion efficiency is always required for photovoltaic power conditioners to utilize PV-generated DC power with minimal loss. The cooperative control method has been developed as one of the control methods that improves the conversion efficiency, which is applicable to non-isolated power conditioners consisting of a boost converter and an inverter. In the cooperative control method, the boost converter creates part of the AC voltage waveform, and either the boost converter or inverter performs switching only during a required period. Therefore, it has the advantage of reducing switching losses. In this paper, we present a study of a cooperative-control-type power conditioner assuming its use in grid-connected operation and the results of a performance verification of prototype power conditioner. A microcontroller is used for cooperative control. The experimental results show that the prototype power conditioner integrated with SiC MOSFETs and the cooperative control method achieves an efficiency of 97.4% at an output of 5.5kW.