Simulation-Based Criteria for the Power Sizing of Grid-Connected PV Systems.

This paper discusses about the photovoltaic (PV) generator/inverter power sizing factor in grid-connected PV systems. The optimal sizing factor is defined as sizing factor value that maximizes the yearly energy injected to the grid. The criteria obtained for the sizing factor choice come from the estimation of the injected energy by means of a set of Matlab-based simulations. These simulations involve a simulation-oriented model of the PV conversion chain elements, the environmental data of several European sites as well as the PV installation mounting type, the PV cell materials characteristics, the inverter efficiency and the estimation of DC power losses. The simulation results show, among others, that the current practice of under-sizing the inverter maximum power, with respect to the PV generator nominal power, may not be the best choice in terms of yearly produced energy. These results also evidence the strong impact of both the PV generator operating temperature and inverter efficiency in the choice of the optimal inverter power sizing, and on the yearly energy injected to the grid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]