Experimental Investigation of PV Microinverter Technology for Low-Power Applications

In this paper, an experimental investigation of PV microinverter technology for low-power application was done. The experiment was conducted on a 1 kW rooftop solar system installed in a residential complex and connected to the household load. The system is connected through DPST switch to two separate converter setups. Physical circumstances have an effect on the performance of photovoltaic systems. As a result, the performance of both PV inverter designs was monitored for a period of 10 days. In MATLAB, a graphical user interface was created to compare the central inverter and microinverter. The comparison is based on experimental findings achieved for a 1 kW system comprised of four 250 W panels, four microinverters, and one central inverter. Apart from the system’s equipment, a lux meter, a digital voltmeter, laser temperature sensor and an ammeter were used to conduct the investigation. The designed GUI will show how temperature and solar irradiation change over time, as well as the effect on power output whether connected to a central inverter or a microinverter under normal, shading, and dusty situations.