Production and verification of the 2nd generation of ac-modules ('PV2GO')

Informacje na temat projektu

PV2GO

Identyfikator umowy o grant: ERK5-CT-1999-00014

Projekt został zamknięty

Data rozpoczęcia 1 Kwietnia 2000

Data zakończenia 30 Września 2003

Finansowanie w ramach

• Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Energy, environment and sustainable development, 1998-2002"

Koszt całkowity € 1 826 091,00

Wkład UE € 960 485,00

Koordynowany przez

N/A

Rezultaty

Production and verification of the 2nd generation of AC-modules (PV2GO)

The main target of photovoltaic R&D projects is a profound cost reduction for solar electricity generation down to euro/Wp on the mid term. To achieve this goal, a new generation of AC modules had to be developed in the PV2GO project, and production volume must be increased to a larger scale. The inverter part of the AC module had to be designed for reliable operation during the typical PV-module lifetime of twenty years. A new AC-module inverter was developed, taking into account all relevant aspects from a European market point of view (standard, market, application, R&D goals). Project goal was to achieve turnkey system costs of 3euro/Wp for a modular plug-and-play AC-module PV system, which could be met. The R&D goal was to develop an advanced DC-control system consisting of a state-of-the-art programmable digital device and an ASIC for the AC-control of the inverter. This development took place within the framework of the optimal topology concept and design, taking into account suitable production technology and packaging for large-scale production. In the PV2GO project, the new AC-modules were tested in a number of test sites in various parts of Europe and the reliability was assessed through Highly Accelerated Stress Tests. Further, an optimisation study of a manufacturing process for the new generation of AC-modules for high volume output was carried out. Another task was the pre-certification procedure to assure compliance with the European guidelines and standards. The mean time between failure (MTBF) of the PV2GO inverter using Bellcore TR332 is about 25 years. The reliability improvement achieved is strongly expressed with the following comparison: the same MTBF calculations on an 'off the shelf’ similar PV inverter gave about 15 years. The production cost of the PV2GO inverter is strongly reduced, with respect to a module inverter with comparable performance. This is achieved by reducing the number of components significantly. Cost calculations showed that the end-user price of the PV2GO inverter, based on 10,000-piece production could be 0.5euro/Wp.