Thesis title: Design and Implementation of a GaN-Based, Single Stage, Grid-Connected Three-Phase PV Inverter
The objective of this work is to investigate and assess the potential utilization of using GaN devices technology on the design and performance of efficient and power dense PV inverters. The target is to develop new and cost-effective solutions for injection of electrical power, generated by PV modules, into the grid and propose the step-by-step design procedure for the designing process. The advantage of using GaN switches in solar inverter applications discussed and verified. The inverter should be made with low-cost, high reliability, and mass-production in mind.
The project will end up with an inverter considering all the design steps. In this thesis the following aspects are considered:
• Performance benchmarking of GaN FETs in PV applications. The analysis includes efficiency and energy production, switching frequency performance, temperature stability and thermal characterization.
• Designing the LCL filter for grid connected PV applications and comparison of different filter parameters on system, performance.
• PCB design considerations for the GaN based 3 phase inverters. Analysis of protection systems, code generation using PSIM software and auxiliary circuit design.
• Evaluation of the performance of designed PV inverter topology based on 650V GaN FET in terms of power losses, efficiency, thermal capability.
• Transfer of knowledge gained about low voltage GaN devices especially 60A 650V GaN FET in solar applications.