New Fraunhofer study details multi- versus single-MPPT inverters

In this pv magazine webinar, Andreas Hensel, Team Leader Power Electronics for Medium Voltage at Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, will present new research results on the use of multi-MPPT versus single-MPPT inverters.

Maximum power point trackers (MPPTs) in photovoltaic inverters are designed to find the optimal power point and thus maximise the yield of a system. In varying conditions, where non-homogeneous strings operate together, it makes sense to use multi-MPPT inverters to refine the result. However, multi-MPPT inverters typically have lower efficiency than single-MPPT inverters due to the additional conversion stage. This means the industry-thinking towards default usage of multi-MPPT may not be the best result for efficiency.

The Fraunhofer ISE study suggests that the benefits of multi-MPPT are negligible in certain cases. Many of the latest high-performance modules are either not at all compatible with multi-MPPT devices or project developers would have to accept compromises in the flexibility of the structure.

PV inverter manufacturer Kaco has quantified the compatibility problems of multi-MPPT inverters and high-performance modules in their own study. Boban Vujovic, Product Lifecycle Management and Ronak Shah, Head of Offers & Applications, will explain why string inverters with only one MPPT do not have such problems.

pv magazine Webinar content:

• Difference between multi- and single-MPPT inverters
• Compatibility problems of high-performance modules with multi-MPPT
• Flexibility in string lengths
• Fraunhofer study results: Multi- or single-MPPT?
• Kaco study results: High-performance modules and design flexibility
• Advantages of single MPPT inverters in combination with the Virtual Central system design
• New KACO services and Virtual Central Operation and Maintenance benefits
• Q&A

We encourage you to ask questions, which can be submitted beforehand or during the webinar through a chat window. Marian Willuhn, editor at pv magazine, will be the moderator of this webinar.

Registration for this pv magazine Webinar is free of charge.

Note: This webinar was also held in German.