PV-EMI: Development of standard test procedures for electromagnetic interference (EMI) tests and evaluations on photovoltaic components and plants

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 97.0301

Key words (English)

standard test procedure; electro-magnetic interference (EMI) tests; photovoltaic components

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: JOR3-CT98-0217

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 4. Frame Research Programme - 5.1 Nonnuclear energies

Short description (English)

See abstract

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise:
Hochschule für Technik und Architektur Burgdorf
Elektrotechnik
Photovoltaik Labor

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Coordinator: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (D)

Abstract (English)

The objective of the 'PV-EMI-Project' is the realisation of a standardized European approach towards the electromagnetic compatibility of solar photovoltaic systems by means of elucidating the legal situation, developing measuring concepts, doing concrete sample measurements and realizing information dissemination to standardization committees and final users (industries, SMEs, plant owners). Project partners: Fraunhofer ISE (BRD), HTA Burgdorf (CH) and KEMA (NL).
Realized work in 1998 (HTA Burgdorf)
· Construction of the high impulse current generator completed
- Reached values are: Imax = 120 kA, di/dtmax = 40 kA/ms
- In comparison with the old high impulse current generator the measuring system and the
grounding system was very much improved
· Measurement of induced voltage at real modules and models of PV modules
- Confirmation of the measurements by theoretical calculation
- Compensation of induced voltage in 3 x 9 modules (Siemens M65) mounted normal to the
impulse current axis
- First results of the influence of the frame for reducing the induced voltages in single
modules shows a reduction of about factor 2.
· On site field intensity measurements of RF emissions of PV plants
- Both grid-connected and stand alone PV systems operated with a disturbing inverter have
relevant RF emissions
- Common mode RF currents have a good correlation to radiated electromagnetic fields.
Differential mode currents have hardly a correlation with radiated field strength
- Differential mode currents are important in stand alone systems with DC-loads, because
they can disturb devices installed in the DC-network
· Measurement of RF emissions in the laboratory
- Mobile test stand with DC-LISN (150W) for measurements of conducted RF emissions is
suitable for characterising the emissions of grid-connected inverters
- DC-LISN (150W) is not totally suitable for characterising the emissions of stand alone
inverters. Modifications will be necessary if differential mode currents must also be
measured
· Extension and improvement of the equipment by a EMC measuring software

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 97.0301