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Converters rely on passive filtering as a crucial element due to the high-frequency operational characteristics of power electronics. Traditional filtering methods involve a dual inductor-capacitor (LC) cell or an inductor-capacitor-inductor (LCL) T-circuit. However, capacitors are susceptible to wear-out mechanisms and failure modes. Nevertheless, the necessity for monitoring and regular replacement adds to an elevated cost of ownership for such systems. The utilization of an active output power filter can be used to diminish the dimensions of the LC filter and the electrolytic dc-link capacitor, even though the inclusion of capacitors remains an indispensable part of the system. This paper introduces capacitorless solid-state power filter (SSPF) for single-phase dc-ac converters. The proposed configuration is capable of generating a sinusoidal ac voltage without relying on capacitors. The proposed filter, composed of a planar transformer and an H-bridge converter operating at high frequency, injects voltage harmonics to attain a sinusoidal output voltage. The design parameters of the planar transformer are incorporated, and the impact of magnetizing and leakage inductances on the operation of the SSPF is illustrated. Theoretical analysis, supported by simulation and experimental results, are provided for a design example for a single-phase system. The total harmonic distortion observed in the output voltage is well below the IEEE 519 standard. The system operation is experimentally tested under both steady-state and dynamic conditions. A comparison with existing technology is presented, demonstrating that the proposed topology reduces the passive components used for filtering.

The TISO‐10‐kW plant, installed in Lugano (Switzerland) in 1982, is the first grid‐connected PV plant in Europe. In a joint publication (part 1), we presented the results of the electrical characterization performed in 2017—after 35 years of operation—of the 288 Arco Solar modules constituting the plant. Power degradation rates were different among modules and two groups could clearly be distinguished: group 1, with a remarkably low mean degradation rate of −0.2% per year, and group 2, with a mean degradation of −0.69% per year. After 35 in a temperate climate, approximately 70% of the modules (considering a ±3% measurement uncertainty) still exhibit a performance higher than 80% of their initial value. In this paper, when possible, we attempt at correlating module performance losses to specific failure mechanisms. For this sake, an extensive characterization of the modules was performed using visual inspection, IV curve measurements, electroluminescence, and infrared imaging. We remarkably find that module degradation rates are highly correlated to the aging pattern of the encapsulants used in module manufacturing. In particular, a specific formulation of the encapsulant (PVB), which was used only in a minority of the modules (approximately 10%), leads to degradation rates of −0.2% per year, which corresponds to a loss in performance below 10% over 35 years. Potential safety threats are also investigated, by measuring the frame continuity, the functionality of the bypass diodes, and the module insulation. Finally, we discuss how the analysis of a 35‐year‐old PV module technology could benefit the industry in order to target PV module lifetimes of 40+ years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The TISO‐10‐kW solar plant, connected to the grid in 1982, is the oldest installation of this kind in Europe. Its history is well documented, and the full set of modules has been tested indoors at regular intervals over the years. After 35 years of operation, we observe an increase in the degradation rates and that the distributions of modules' performances are drastically changing compared with previous years. Two groups of modules can be observed: (a) group 1: 21.5% of the modules show a very modest degradation, described by a Gaussian distribution with mean yearly power degradation of only −0.2%/y. (b) Group 2: 72.9% of the modules form a negatively skewed distribution with a long tail described by mode (−0.54%/y), median (−0.62%/y), and mean (−0.69%/y) values. In earlier years, decreases in performances could strongly be correlated to losses in fill factor (FF). After 35 years, the situation changes and, for a subset of modules, losses in the current (Isc) are superimposed to losses in FF. The reasons for this will become clearer in part 2, where we will present results of a detailed visual inspection on the whole set of modules and will focus on safety aspect too. We conclude that, after 35 years of operation in a temperate climate, approximately 60% (~70% if considering a ± 3% measurement uncertainty) of the modules would still satisfy a warranty criteria that module manufacturers are presently considering to apply to the technology of tomorrow: 35 years of operation with a performance threshold set at 80% of the initial value. The TISO‐10‐kW solar plant, connected to the grid in 1982, is the oldest installation of this kind in Europe. After 35 years of operation in a temperate climate, approximately 60% (~70% if considering a ± 3% measurement uncertainty) of the modules would still satisfy a warranty criteria that module manufacturers are presently considering to apply to the technology of tomorrow: 35 years of operation with a performance threshold set at 80% of the initial value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]