D.c.-to-a.-c. inverters for photovoltaics

The technology of current and voltage-sourced inverters as it applies to the dc to ac power conditioning of photovoltaic power supplies is reviewed. The three generic types and one derivative type of dc to ac inverters, which are required in order to interface a photovoltaic system with an ac interface, what may be expected from them in terms of performance, and what can be done to improve their performance are discussed. In addition, two of the primary technical deployment problems with this type of technology, harmonic injection and the power factor in the utility interactive mode, are examined in detail.