A Comprehensive Modeling of Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems Using Multiphase Converter Based on Reliability Concepts

Abstract

This paper proposes a new method based on a Markov model to calculate the reliability of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems. This system is a grid-connected PV system consisting of PV modules, a multiphase DC-DC converter, an inverter, an inverter controller, and an maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller at University of Isfahan. This system is considered repairable. Also, different levels of operation are considered for the system equipment. Reliability of the PV modules, the multiphase DC-DC converter, and the inverter has been calculated by the Markov model. Finally, the reliability of the entire PV system is calculated by the Markov model. The proposed algorithm is applied to the PV system positioned at University of Isfahan. Simulation results show the applicability of this method for calculating the reliability of grid-connected PV systems. Copyright © 2017 by ASME.