More residential buildings and individual households choose to install their own solar panels, resulting in growing demand for solutions with specific application requirements. Typical challenges that residential solar systems face include shadowing, different roof angles and panel cleanliness. Residential system designers call for modularity, MPPT, easy installation and security.
Installations in residential areas often make use of micro inverters and power optimisers, in combination with string inverters. Micro inverters convert the energy provided by single or multiple photovoltaic (PV) panels to AC to supply the grid. They are usually rated at 400 W for single PV panels and up to 1.5 kW for multiple PV panels.
Microinverters typically rely on two-stage power conversion. In the first stage, the DC-DC stage or booster converts variable DC voltage into a fixed DC voltage (typically 40 to 60 V). At the same time, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is used to maximise the energy harvested from the PV panels. The second stage incorporates the DC-AC inverter which converts DC into grid compatible single-phase AC power.
Unlike string inverters however, micro inverters are attached to one, two or four PV panels and perform MPPT tracking per PV module separately. At this power level, discrete power devices provide the optimal solution.
With choosing the traditional silicon-based MOSFETs, designers will benefit from an excellent price/performance ratio and Infineon’s large market portfolio with best-in-class RDS. Upgrading to silicon carbide and gallium-nitride technologies, however, enables micro inverter systems with highest performance, efficiency and power density. Visit http://bitly.ws/totW to learn about these solutions from Infineon.
Analysis of switch-mode power supply: inductor violations Altron Arrow
Editor's Choice Power Electronics / Power Management
Common switch-mode power supply (SMPS) design errors are discussed, and their appropriate rectification is specified, with details on complications that arise with the power stage design of DC-DC switching regulators.
Read more...Microsoft Windows IoT on ARM Altron Arrow
Computer/Embedded Technology
This expansion means that the Windows IoT ecosystem can now harness the power of ARM processors, known for their energy efficiency and versatility.
Read more...Microchip introduces ECC608 TrustMANAGER Altron Arrow
Circuit & System Protection
To increase security on IoT products and facilitate easier setup and management, Microchip Technology has added the ECC608 TrustMANAGER with Kudelski IoT keySTREAM, Software as a Service (SaaS) to its Trust Platform portfolio of devices, services and tools.
Read more...SolidRun unveils new SoM Altron Arrow
AI & ML
SolidRun and Hailo has unveiled a game-changer for engineers and AI product developers with the launch of their market-ready SoM, which packs the cutting-edge capabilities of the Hailo-15H SoC.
Read more...An evolutionary step in customisable logic Altron Arrow
DSP, Micros & Memory
Microchip Technology is offering a tailored hardware solution with the launch of its PIC16F13145 family of microcontrollers, which are outfitted with a new Configurable Logic Block module.
Read more...Compact PCB-mount SMPS RS South Africa
Power Electronics / Power Management
Traco Power’s 5W PCB-mount switch mode power supply (SMPS) offers high efficiency, and is well suited for a variety of applications in the automation, electronics, electrical and mechanical industries.
Read more...AC-DC brick PSU Conical Technologies
Power Electronics / Power Management
These PSUs have a typical efficiency of up to 92%, and a power factor value of up to 0,99. They are available in 12, 24, 28, 48 and 54 V output versions.
Read more...5 kW switching PSU range Conical Technologies
Power Electronics / Power Management
Mornsun has released a new switching power supply range, the LMF5000-25Bxx, which has a 5000 W capacity, and features universal AC input configurations.
printer friendly version