LCOE reduction for megawatts PV system using efficient 500 kW transformerless inverter

Abstract

This paper presents the cost advantages that a high-performance, 500 kW, transformerless PV inverter can have for the megawatts solar farm system. Higher efficiency, smaller size, and lower installation costs impact balance-of -system (BoS) costs and reducing the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) compared with traditional, transformer-based PV inverters. These cost advantages should be considered as system integrators and end-users. This paper focuses on the effect of a higher efficient PV inverter on BoS cost and LCOE, analyzing real PV grid-connected, transformerless inverter applications as well as unipolar and bipolar PV array configurations. Some key parameters and specifications for the PV inverters are introduced. The simulation of LCOE was done by using the software, Solar Advisory Model (SAM) and using PVSYST software to simulate the system performance and loss with PV module, inverter, and weather data. The simulation result is presented based on a 10 MW PV system in Atlanta, U.S.