Temporary faults impact on the overall availability and reliability of practical large-scale grid-connected photovoltaic systems

Abstract

Temporary faults in photovoltaic (PV) systems can lead to system failure and compromise electronic subassemblies’ availability and reliability (A&R). Accurately assessing A&R in the presence of temporary faults is crucial for designing, operating, and maintaining large-scale grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems (LS-GCPS). In this study, we propose a modified reliability block diagram (RBD) technique for evaluating the A&R of seven practical LS-GCPS in the presence of temporary faults. Our approach extends beyond existing methods by examining the impact of subsystem availability on overall system performance, regardless of fault type (temporary or permanent). Furthermore, we investigate the degree and sequence of importance for various subsystems to highlight areas that require significant attention for boosting A&R and preventing potential failures. Our findings reveal the unique challenges posed by temporary faults in LS-GCPS and provide insights for improving system reliability and availability. Our proposed approach and insights can benefit researchers, engineers, and stakeholders involved in designing and managing LS-GCPS.