PV array and inverter optimum sizing for grid-connected photovoltaic power plants using optimization design

Abstract This paper aims to select the optimum inverter size for large-scale PV power plants grid-connected based on the optimum combination between PV array and inverter, among several possible combinations. Inverters used in this proposed methodology have high-efficiency conversion in the range of 98.5% which is largely used in real large-scale PV power plants to increase the financial benefits by injecting maximum energy into the grid. To investigate the PV array-inverter sizing ratio, many PV power plants rated power are considered. The proposed method is based on the modelling of several parts of the PV power plant taking into account many design variables and constraints. The objective function is the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and the optimization is performed by a multi-verse algorithm. The optimization method results in an optimum inverter size that depends on the PV plant rated capacity by providing an optimum number of inverters required in the installation site. The optimum sizing ratio (Rs) between PV array and inverter were found equal to 0.928, 0.904, and 0.871 for 1 MW, 1.5 MW, and more than 2 MW, respectively, whereas the total power losses reached 8% of the total energy generation during the PV power plant operational lifetime.