110 W low cost, efficient PV-grid interface for rural electrification

PV-utility interface systems for remote rural South Africa are investigated: contemporary topologies are assessed and a unique concept formulated. Based on this, a low power 110 W prototype unit was developed using a highly integrated, low-cost microcontroller. The PV-panel attaches (via a DC-bus capacitor filter) to an H-Bridge. The H-bridge pulse width modulates the DC bus to create a high quality low voltage sine-wave (after an LC filter). The sine-wave is then stepped up to the utility voltage by a standard 50 Hz mains transformer. Preliminary experimental results are included.