Analysis and test of line-commutated inverters for use in photovoltaic power systems

The line commutated inverter is used in a number of utility interactive photovoltaic power systems because it is both readily available and attractively priced. This inverter is basically a phase controlled rectifier operating in the regenerative mode. A detailed theoretical analysis, coupled with actual circuit measurements, is leading to a better understanding of the inverter operation and should result in an improvement in the power factor and a reduction of harmonic currents. The normalized results of the theoretical analysis and of test data and waveforms are presented.