Abstract
Many photovoltaic (PV) parks suffer from a decrement in their generated power capability due to a phenomenon called potential induced degradation (PID). In this paper, a regenerative system using a high step-up DC–DC converter is proposed, for regenerating PV cells that have been degraded due to the PID effect. The same device also can be used for artificially creating PID on PV panels in order to study the effects of the PID under controlled conditions. The power converter offers multiple voltage levels at the output to adapt to various voltage ratings of PV parks. The device has plug-and-play features, ultra-low cost, small size and is simple in operation. Experimental tests are conducted in real PV panels and comparative results verify the operational principles of the proposed system. The artificial creation of the PID phenomenon and the regeneration of the PV cells are successfully proven experimentally.
Highlights
In the last few decades, energy harvesting from renewable energy sources has been growing rapidly, as a result of increased fossil fuel costs and increased power demand
Solar and wind energy are the two types of renewable energy sources that concentrate the biggest interest for clean energy generation
The main advantages compared to conventional methods is its small size and low cost, the simplicity of its operation and its adaptability in systems with different ratings, deriving from the capability of the multiple output voltage levels
Summary
In the last few decades, energy harvesting from renewable energy sources has been growing rapidly, as a result of increased fossil fuel costs and increased power demand. The growing environmental problems are a serious concern in our society, which must not be neglected. Solar and wind energy are the two types of renewable energy sources that concentrate the biggest interest for clean energy generation. Solar energy is gaining more and more attention and the photovoltaic (PV) power injection to the utility grid is growing, since it offers many advantages, such as [1,2]: . Solar energy is a non-exhaustible energy source. PV cells offer increased power conversion efficiency and low cost. Energy conversion can be achieved without extra pollution
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