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The paper presents the results of an experimental study, which was conducted in 2021 and briefly presented at the conference CIGRE Paris Session 2022, as a part of a joint initiative for comparative studies of PV inverters, of AGH University of Science and Technology and Tauron Dystrybucja (Polish DSO). The study was performed on a representative sample of 29 brand new PV inverters, widely available for sale in the EU, from over 20 various manufacturers from and outside the EU. For the purposes of this research, all tested PV have been made available by their manufacturers or regional distributors, which confirms the origin of the devices from official distribution channels and their designation for the EU market. The conducted research covers the technical aspects of PV inverters' operation and performance included in the NC RfG network code, technical standard EN-505049-1:2019, and internal regulations of distribution system operators governing PV inverter technical quality and its cooperation with the low-voltage distribution network. The national regulations may differ between individual EU member states. The paper describes the testing procedure, obtained results, conclusions, and recommendations for regulatory bodies and DSOs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of an experimental study of 26 brand new photovoltaic (PV) inverters widely available for sale on the EU market; the study was conducted in 2021 by researchers at the AGH University of Science and Technology and Tauron Dystrybucja (Polish DSO). The purpose of the study was to compare and assess PV inverter performances in terms of their DC/AC conversion efficiencies, MPPT efficiencies, and harmonic current emissions. To examine the PV inverters, a laboratory test stand was prepared according to the standard EN 50530 and the technical report IEC/TR 61000-3-15. It was composed of a photovoltaic array simulator, a programmable regenerative AC voltage source, and a power analyzer. Each PV inverter was tested in various operating states determined by the DC voltage levels and the volume of active power generation. The results allowed for a benchmark assessment of PV inverters available on the market. The results showed how various energy efficiency indicators of individual PV inverters changed depending on their operating points. The results also revealed that, based on the performed harmonic emission tests, individual harmonics were within the normative requirements; however, in the case of several PV inverters, attention was drawn to the presence of relatively high switching frequency-related components exceeding permissible levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The presently observed rapid increase in photovoltaic (PV) micro-installation connections to low-voltage networks, resulting from numerous financial support programmes, European Union (EU) energy policy and growing social awareness of environmental and economic issues, raise the question if PV inverters widely available in EU market fulfil the numerous technical requirements specified in European and Polish regulations. The paper presents the results of an experimental study carried out on three PV Inverters widely available in the EU in accordance with the EU network code NC RfG, standard EN 50549-1:2019 and internal Polish distribution system operators' (DSOs') regulations, governing PV inverter cooperation with the low-voltage distribution network. The laboratory test stand scheme and its description are presented. In each test, at least one of the inverters encountered issues, either with the operation in required frequency ranges (one PV inverter), activating reactive power control modes (all three PV inverters), maintaining required power generation gradient after tripping (one PV inverter) or under-voltage ride through immunity (one PV inverter). The obtained results have shown that all tested PV inverters did not meet requirements that are the key to maintaining reliable and safe operation of transmission and distribution electrical networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]