New procedure for fault detection in grid connected PV systems based on the evaluation of current and voltage indicators

In this work we present a new procedure for automatic fault detection in grid connected photovoltaic (PV) systems. This method is based on the evaluation of new current and voltage indicators. Thresholds for these indicators are defined taking into account the PV system configuration: number of PV modules included and series and parallel interconnection to form the array. The procedure to calculate the thresholds that allow the identification of the faults is described. A simulation study was carried out to verify the evaluation of current and voltage indicators and their corresponding thresholds for a set of PV systems with different sizes and different configurations of interconnection of PV modules. The developed method was experimentally validated and has demonstrated its effectiveness in the detection of main faults present in grid connected applications. The computational analysis has been reduced and the number of monitoring sensors minimized. The fault detection procedure can be integrated into the inverter without using simulation software or additional external hardware.