Improving Inverter Efficiency at Low Power Using a Reduced Switching Frequency

The inverter is a major component of a renewable energy system and its performance affects the overall performance of the system. For typical household applications in rural areas, often there is need to operate at low power conditions where inverter efficiency can drop dramatically. Efficient operation at low power is important especially for stand-alone solar systems in developing countries where system cost must be kept low. In this thesis, the impact of switching frequency upon switching loss for a SPWM inverter is investigated. Results, from mathematical modeling, simulation and experimental implementation, show the same trend that reducing the switching frequency reduces switching loss at low power levels thus improves inverter efficiency. This may result in a reduced PV module size requirement and thus lower system cost. The inverter proposed in the thesis operates efficiently at low power (e.g. 9W) as well as at rated power conditions (e.g. 200W).

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Hossain Loba, Tahsina

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Wood, David Howe
• P. Nowicki, Edwin

• Energy
• Engineering--Electronics and Electrical
• Engineering--Mechanical

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/26489

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/2455