Characterization of grid-connected photovoltaic systems in Curitiba, Brazil

ABSTRACT In the search for new options for the establishment of the energy matrix of Brazil, the Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems (GCPVS) are configured as an alternative to urban centers, because they allow the power generation at distributed mode, that is, generate energy at the place where it will be consumed and inject the surplus energy into the network. Faced with the prospect of installing Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System, the objective of this research is to characterize this type of photovoltaic system installed in Curitiba, State of Paraná, Brazil. This paper highlights that up to July 2017 the State of Paraná has 1031 GCPVS in operation, which corresponds to 6,6MW, while Curitiba has 204 GCPVS that represents 997.4 kW in operation, 82% of which are installed in residences. In addition, the study of a sample of 41 GCPVSs installed in Curitiba shows that 98% of these systems use multicrystalline modules, 75% use single phase inverters and 95% of these use inverters transformerless. This shows that the losses in the conversion process are reduced and the equipment is more compact using better technology than the inverters with transformer. Therefore, the main trend of photovoltaic energy market is to use transformerless inverters.