Mitigating Thermal Derating in Photovoltaic Inverters: Insights From a Real Grid-Connected System
Abstract
Brazil stands out for having a predominantly sustainable electricity matrix, with solar photovoltaic energy playing an increasingly significant role. In this context, Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems (GCPS) have been expanding widely, including in public institutions. This study presents an operational analysis of the GCPS at the Center for Technology and Geosciences (CTG) of the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE). It was found that the inverters operate at temperatures averaging 30 °C above the manufacturer’s recommended limit. Based on this, experimental tests and a frequency-of-occurrence study were carried out to investigate performance losses due to thermal stress. Real generation data were compared with PVSyst simulations, indicating deviations over 17%. The results support corrective actions and operational improvements in the system.
Keywords
Photovoltaic System, Inverter Temperature, Performance Analysis, Thermal Stress, Thermal Power Derating, Distributed Generation