A Single-Stage Grid-Following PV Inverter Featuring a Current Management System to Handle MPPT and LVRT with Fewer Sensors

In order to guarantee stability and adherence to the rigorous grid protocols, the power grid requires improved grid support functionalities due to the growing integration of renewable energy sources, particularly solar photovoltaic (SPV) systems. This study introduces a novel single stage grid connected solar PV system (SSGCSPV) featuring a current control stage, designed to enhance low voltage ride through (LVRT) capability and optimize maximum power point tracking (MPPT) while minimizing the number of required sensors. The current management system (CMS) can be designed to adhere to any grid code requirements, ensuring stable and reliable grid integration even under fault conditions. Furthermore, the research explores and compares various MPPT techniques, evaluating their performances in terms of efficiency, settling time and reliability under dynamic environmental conditions under voltage control mode and current control mode. Results are presented with single stage converter operation with current control mode to improve the MPP efficiency, fast tracking avoiding the nonlinear DC link voltage control. Further, the DC link voltage is estimated instantaneously to cater the protection requirement of the converter under various fault scenarios.