Development of high frequency (Supraharmonic) models of small-scale (< 5 kW), single-phase, grid-tied PV inverters based on laboratory experiments

Abstract

There is a growth of high frequency (HF) emissions in the range of 2–150 kHz (also known as Supraharmonics) in electricity distribution networks, primarily due to the increasing number and capacity of AC grid connected equipment having power electronic interfaces. Although PV inverters are a major HF source in electricity distribution networks, PV inverter models that are suitable for HF emission studies are yet to be developed. To this end, a generic method that can be used to develop HF models of small-scale (< 5 kW), grid-tied, single-phase PV inverters using a black box approach is presented in this paper. Accordingly, HF models of three PV inverters that are commonly used in domestic and commercial installations are developed assuming standard network conditions. It is shown that these HF models are capable of successfully capturing the HF performance of the selected PV inverters under a wide range of operating conditions. The outcomes of this work are expected to broaden the knowledge pertaining to the HF emissions in the frequency range considered.