Analysis and Evaluation of the Operating Profile of a DC Inverter in a PV Plant

The inverter is the key element that converts the intermittent DC power of the PV array into a quality AC flow to the grid and simultaneously performs functions such as power factor control, reactive services and grid code compliance. Therefore, the detailed operating pro-file of the inverter, how the power, dynamics, power quality and efficiency evolve over time, is critical for both the scientific understanding of the system and the daily operation (O&M). Monitoring only aggregated energy indicators or single KPIs (e.g. PR) is often in-sufficient: it does not distinguish weather-related variations from technical limitations (clipping, curtailment), does not show dynamic loads (ramp-rate) and does not provide confidence in the quality of the injected energy (PF, P–Q behavior). These deficiencies motivate research that simultaneously covers the physical side of the conversion, the operational dynamics and the climatic reference of the resource.