JUNE 16-21, 2013 • TAMPA, FLORIDA
45
TUTORIAL PROGRAM
AM3. POWER ELECTRONICS BALANCE-OF-
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-PLANAR
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
(
MR 14)
Instructor:
Dr. Robert Balog, University of Texas A&M
Synopsis:
To present design considerations for
photovoltaic systems installed in or on non-planar surfaces
and their associated power conditioning architectures.
The tutorial begins with a review of traditional planar
PV systems, cell electrical models, and thermal models
to predict the operating temperature of the module. The
tutorial then explores the power electronics needed to
interface the PV to the ac utility system. The electrical
models previously developed are used to illustrate the
phenomenon of maximum power point tracking (MPPT)
and to explore the operation of series-connected strings
of PV cells and modules under partial shading conditions.
The second part of the tutorial introduces emerging
applications of non-planar PV.
Detailed analysis is presented for estimating the available
electrical power and electrical energy harvest potential
for PV systems installed on arbitrarily non-planar curved
surface. By way of example, it will be shown that a)
conventional “string” PV architectures in which PV
modules are connected in series/parallel to a central DC-
AC inverter and b) module integrated micro-inverters are
not optimal for PV systems installed on curved or irregular
surfaces. Several new approaches are then reviewed
for extracting maximum power along with possible
interconnection of module-integrated converters with PV
cells. The concept of a “smart PV pixel” is presented.
AM4. HIGH EFFICIENCY MULTI-JUNCTION CELL
TECHNOLOGY
(
MR 15)
Instructors
:
Dr. Ned Edkins-Daukes, Imperial College
London and Dr. Robert Walters, Naval Research
Laboratory
Synopsis:
III-V multi-junction solar cells offer the highest
efficiency of any photovoltaic technology, attaining 44%
under concentrated sunlight and over 30% commercially
for space applications. The operating principles of these
solar cells will be reviewed and the present state of the
art structures presented together with some possible
routes for future development of the technology. Since
these devices are used routinely to power spacecraft,
their performance in the space environment will be
discussed, together with methodologies for determining
their degradation and end of life performance.
