Modeling Photovoltaic Module-Level Power Electronics in the System Advisor Model

Research output: NRELFact Sheet

Abstract

Module-level power electronics, such as DC power optimizers, microinverters, and those found in AC modules, are increasing in popularity in smaller-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems as their prices continue to decline. Therefore, it is important to provide PV modelers with guidelines about how to model these distributed power electronics appropriately in PV modeling software. This paper extends the work completed at NREL that provided recommendations to model the performance of distributed power electronics in NREL's popular PVWatts calculator [1], to provide similar guidelines for modeling these technologies in NREL's more complex System Advisor Model (SAM). Module-level power electronics - such as DC power optimizers, microinverters, and those found in AC modules - are increasing in popularity in smaller-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems as their prices continue to decline. Therefore, it is important to provide PV modelers with guidelines about how to model these distributed power electronics appropriately in PV modeling software.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages2
StatePublished - 2015

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/FS-6A20-64113

Keywords

  • AC modules
  • DC optimizer
  • microinverter
  • modeling
  • power electronics
  • SAM
  • System Advisor Model

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