Development of a Modular,Bi-Directional Power Inverter for Photovoltaic Applications; Final Report August 1995 - March 1998

摘要

This research and development contract has resulted in several benefits for Trace Engineering and the PV industry that are directly attributable to the PVMaT program: Application of the hardware based protection circuit developed in Phase I was completed on Trace's existing DR and SW series product lines. This additional protection circuit was phased into full production starting in April of 1997. This resulted in a substantial improvement in factory yields and a very significant reduction of field failures - a drop of as much as 80% on some product models. Accelerated development and introduction of the Power Module enclosure/balance of systems package. This product is a big step towards the standardization of system and equipment design for Trace's customers. Developed the cost reduced 2.5-kW modular inverter based on the current SW series software and topology. This new inverter/charger uses many new construction and manufacturing methods to reduce cost by 40%, simplify production, decrease parts count by over 20%, reduce labor required by 30%, and increase the flexibility in the manufacturing process. It will enter production in the first quaarter of 1999 as the Trace Engineering PS series inverter/charger.