Comparative Performance Analysis of Grid-Connected Microinverter and String Inverter Technologies Operated in a Snowy Region

Abstract

This paper analyzes and compares the outdoor performance of two grid-connected photovoltaic systems based on the string inverter and microinverter technologies installed in the same facility area in Konya, Turkey. The first system is composed of a battery energy storage system(BESS) and monocrystalline modules(m-Si) with a 30° fixed tilt in two arrays. The second system is composed of individual pairs of polycrystalline module(p-Si) inclined at six different tilt-angle between 0° and 50°. These systems were evaluated on a monthly and yearly basis by utilizing the performance metrics defined by the IEC-61724 standard to determine which inverter and module technology had better performance under snowy conditions. The results of the analysis show that the m-Si based string inverter system has better energy production, array yield, and module efficiency when compared to the p-Si based microinverter systems. However, the final yield, performance ratio, and inverter efficiency of m-Si based string inverter system result in a lower value than that of the p-Si based microinverter systems due to the longer snow melting time caused by the layout of the modules and the energy consumption originated from the use of the BESS. © 2023 IEEE.