Virtual Prototyping and Distributed Control for Solar Array with Distributed Multilevel Inverter

摘要

In this paper, we present the virtual prototyping of a solar array with agrid-tie implemented as a distributed inverter and controlled using distributedalgorithms. Due to the distributed control and inherent redundancy in the arraycomposed of many panels and inverter modules, the virtual prototype exhibitsfault-tolerance capabilities. The distributed identifier algorithm allows thesystem to keep track of the number of operating panels to appropriatelyregulate the DC voltage output of the panels using buck-boost converters, anddetermine appropriate switching times for H-bridges in the grid-tie. Weevaluate the distributed inverter, its control strategy, and fault-tolerancethrough simulation in Simulink/Stateflow. Our virtual prototyping frameworkallows for generating arrays and grid-ties consisting of many panels, and weevaluate arrays of five to dozens of panels. Our analysis suggests theachievable total harmonic distortion (THD) of the system may allow foroperating the array in spite of failures of the power electronics, controlsoftware, and other subcomponents.