Methodology for Analysis of Thermal Behavior of Inverters for Photovoltaic Systems

The amount and quality of the energy converted by a photovoltaic system connected to the grid can be evaluated by experimental monitoring or computer simulation. The Solar Energy Laboratory at UFRGS developed a simulation software for analysis of grid connected photovoltaic systems (FVCONECT). In order to perform a reliable simulation, it is required for the implementation of suitable mathematical models that describe the behavior of each system component. The inverter is the equipment responsible for converting DC to AC. The manufacturers provide some technical parameters for the inverters. However, electrical and thermal characteristics require mathematical models which coefficients must be obtained from specific tests. This work presents a methodology for analysis of thermal behavior of inverters. Such analysis requires experimental determination of two thermal coefficients. Energy losses due to inverters overheating can be calculated through the proposed methodology, providing a more accurate simulation of a determined photovoltaic (PV) system. The proposed methodology has been tested in several inverters, providing good results.