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power conditioning equipment
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An inverter (left) and charge controller (right)
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Electrical equipment, or power electronics, used to convert power from a
solar array, or other renewable energy
system, into a form suitable for subsequent use. Power conditioners process
the electricity produced by a photovoltaic system so it will meet the specific
demands of the load. Although most equipment is standard, it is very important
to select equipment that matches the characteristics of the load. Power
conditioners may have these functions:
- Limit current and voltage to maximize power output
- Convert DC power to AC
- Match the converted AC electricity to a utility's electrical network
- Have safeguards that protect utility personnel and the network from
harm during repairs
Specific requirements of power conditioners depend on the type of PV system
they are used with and the applications of that system. For DC applications,
power conditioning is often done with regulators, which control output at
some constant level of voltage and current to maximize output. For AC loads,
power conditioning must include an inverter
that converts the direct current generated by the PV array into alternating
current. Many simple devices – for example, ones that run on batteries
– use DC electricity. However, AC electricity, which is what is generated
by utilities, is needed to run most modern appliances and electronic devices.
Power conditioning equipment is an important component of the balance-of-system.
Related category
• ELECTRICITY
GENERATION AND SUPPLY
Source: US Department of Energy
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