Power-line communication between parallel DC-DC optimizers on a high voltage direct current bus

Abstract

This contribution presents one developed solution for parallel photovoltaic energy generators based on a distributed architecture with individual DC-DC converters, named optimizers, connected to an intermediary high voltage direct current (HVDC) bus. This power bus also supports the communication between optimizers and a central controller using the power-line communication (PLC) approach. Then the optimizers are optimized for an interface output stage assuming the PLC on the HVDC bus. This work, from the conception to the realization of a prototype, concerns the analysis of the nature of the pertinent information to the exchange between the converter and the central controller. The information can include the I-V characteristics and the temperature of the individual sources. The development of an electronic prototype that integrates recently available components is made and the technological constraints at the possible available frequency bandwidth are considered. The concrete realization will be presented in fine. © 2014 WIT Press.