Abstract

The contribution of solar power in electric power systems has been increasing rapidly due to its environmentally friendly nature. Photovoltaic (PV) systems contain solar cell panels, power electronic converters, high power switching and often transformers. These components collectively play an important role in shaping the reliability of PV systems. Moreover, the power output of PV systems is variable, so it cannot be controlled as easily as conventional generation due to the unpredictable nature of weather conditions. Therefore, solar power has a different influence on generating system reliability compared to conventional power sources. Recently, different PV system designs have been constructed to maximize the output power of PV systems. These different designs are commonly adopted based on the scale of a PV system. Large-scale grid-connected PV systems are generally connected in a centralized or a string structure. Central and string PV schemes are different in terms of connecting the inverter to PV arrays. Micro-inverter systems are recognized as a third PV system topology. It is therefore important to evaluate the reliability contribution of PV systems under these topologies. This work utilizes a probabilistic technique to develop a power output model for a PV generation system. A reliability model is then developed for a PV integrated power system in order to assess the reliability and energy contribution of the solar system to meet overall system demand. The developed model is applied to a small isolated power unit to evaluate system adequacy and capacity level of a PV system considering the three topologies.

Highlights

  • Climate change is a major concern facing humanity due to the significantly negative impact of carbon emissions generated by conventional power sources in electric energy production

  • The main contribution of this work is the development of a detailed analytical reliability model of a PV system that accounts for PV system components and PV topologies

  • The benefit from the addition of a PV system using the three topologies is quantified in terms of loss of load expectation (LOLE), loss of energy expectation (LOEE), effective load carrying capability (ELCC), and capacity credit (CC)

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Summary

Introduction

Climate change is a major concern facing humanity due to the significantly negative impact of carbon emissions generated by conventional power sources in electric energy production. Previous studies have discussed the system reliability of adding PV systems to electric power system grids using both analytical [5,6] and simulation techniques [7,8]. Billinton and Karki [9,10] discuss the adequacy benefit associated with installing renewable energy sources in electric power systems. The reliability contribution of photovoltaic and wind energy sources is presented evaluated in these studies. The structures of central and string PV systems often have similar electric components, but are differently configured in terms of connecting the solar array to the inverter. The main contribution of this work is the development of a detailed analytical reliability model of a PV system that accounts for PV system components and PV topologies. The benefit from the addition of a PV system using the three topologies is quantified in terms of LOLE, LOEE, ELCC, and CC

Basic Reliability Evaluation Concepts and Indices
Evaluation
Reliability Modeling of PV m r
Modeling Solar Cell
Reliability
Reliability Modeling of a String Inverter PV System
Functional
Application of the Developed
Increasing load demand for80 the ranging from toexample
13. Variation
Case 2
Conclusions
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