Influence of Parameters in the Design of a Medium Voltage Direct Current Grid for Linear Photovoltaic Systems in View of Optimization

The global energy transition, driven by green policies, promotes innovative solutions for renewable energy deployment. Linear photovoltaic systems (LPVS), composed of multiple solar panels installed along linear infrastructures like motorways and railways, provide a sustainable alternative to address land-use conflicts and minimize environmental impacts. Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) networks offer a promising approach for power collection and transmission in LPVS, addressing challenges faced by traditional Medium Voltage Alternating Current (MVAC) systems. This work investigates the impact of cable sizing, voltage levels, and converter ratings and positioning on MVDC network design for LPVS. A two-step methodology is applied: the first step simplifies the network as a point-to-point connection to determine power capacity and feeder length based on thermal and voltage drop constraints. The second step extends the analysis to assess system losses and the integration of multiple power injection points. Results suggest that an MVDC network for a LPVS operating at ±20 kV could span up to 50 km (less than 1 MW/km) under suitable configurations. Higher converter ratings increase losses, while lower-rated converter improve power distribution and reduce peak currents. Larger cables reduce losses in high-power scenarios, while smaller cables are more suitable for low-power cases. These insights can inform future design strategies and improve MVDC network performance in LPVS.