Performance Assessment of Frequency Selective Grounding for Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems

Photovoltaic (PV) panels and their grid-connection circuitries have to be grounded to comply with various standards and industrial codes. Objectives of grounding a PV system include limiting ground currents and potentials, supporting the operation of protective devices therein, and preventing the accumulation of static charges on PV panels. These objectives can be translated into design constraints for an impedance to connect a PV system to the ground. This paper presents the design and performance assessment of a frequency selective grounding (FSGR) for grid-connected PV systems. The proposed FSGR is composed of a parallel $R$, $L$, and $C$ circuit, which provides a resistive path for dc currents and a low capacitive impedance path for harmonic currents. The FSGR is designed and experimentally tested for a 2 kW, $3\phi$, laboratory grid-connected PV system under fault and non-fault conditions. The performance of the proposed grounding is also compared with the solid grounding under similar conditions to further assess its capabilities. Experimental results show that the FSGR can reduce ground currents, limit ground potentials, and reduce the dc leakage currents. These observed features are complimented with minor effects on the operation of protective devices in a grid connected PV system.