Microinverters are devices from the MLPE (module level power electronics) family. In direct translation to Portuguese, MLPE means “module level power electronics”. Power electronics is the area of electrical engineering that develops electronic power converters (such as inverters, microinverters and other things), while the term “module level” refers to the fact that microinverters are always installed close to the photovoltaic modules.
From the point of view of the organization of the photovoltaic system, the main difference between microinverters and conventional inverters is their distance from the photovoltaic modules and from the connection point to the AC grid. Conventional inverters are installed far from the modules and require long DC cabling, whereas they are closer to the AC grid.
Microinverters, on the other hand, are installed close to the modules and do not require additional DC cables other than those already supplied with the photovoltaic modules. In addition to not requiring DC cabling, microinverters have their AC outputs connected directly to the installation's AC protection panel, via the trunk cable, without the need for a stringbox.
Microinverters were originally intended for use with just one photovoltaic module. As technology has evolved, microinverters have become larger. Today's microinverters can accommodate two to four photovoltaic modules, but they still maintain their compact nature, which allows them to be installed close to the modules (usually underneath the modules, attached to the mounting structures or to the module frames).
The microinverters are connected to the electrical grid using a trunk cable. The following figure illustrates two possible strategies for this connection. In the first strategy we find what can be called a standard trunk cable (type 1) – which is a continuous cable that has connections through which branches for the microinverters are created.
In the second strategy, also illustrated in the figure below, the microinverters are connected to each other, as in a series connection, and the microinverter at the end receives the cable that will take the circuit to the connection point with the electrical grid. In whatever strategy is adopted, the microinverters are always connected in parallel, as shown in the multi-wire electrical diagram – also illustrated in the figure below.
The following figure illustrates a system based on microinverters with inputs for two modules. The modules are connected to the DC inputs of the microinverters. In turn, the microinverters are connected to each other and then connected to the AC connection panel of the installation. In this case, a system with type 2 trunk cable is illustrated.
Answers of 5
“8-panel microinverters already exist. They are already being sold in Brazil by a large, reputable company.”
Interesting. Can you get the name of the company?
There are already 8-panel microinverters, which are already being sold in Brazil by a large, reputable and renowned company.
How is Generation monitoring carried out? Will each microinverter emit a WiFi signal and will there be a concentrator to collect the amount?
Hello, Guilherme, how are you? Monitoring is carried out through specific equipment that is connected to the microinverters, and this equipment performs communication between the microinverter and the monitoring software, this communication being carried out via Ethernet (4G or Wi-Fi) or microSD depending on the equipment.
Excellent.