Grid Integration of Small-Scale Photovoltaic Systems-A Review

The participation of solar photovoltaic (PV) in the world energy sector is increasing expeditiously, as a cumulative result of a reduction in the cost of solar panel, improvement in panel efficiency, and advancement in associated power electronics. Among different types of PV plants, installation of small-scale rooftop PV are growing rapidly due to direct end-user benefits and lucrative governmental schemes. There are various standards developed regarding grid integration of PVs and other distributed generations (DGs). Different power converter topologies are developed to interface the PV panel with the utility grid. To keep up with the stringent regulations imposed by the standards various control strategies, and grid synchronization methods have been developed. This review paper amalgamates and summarizes all the aforementioned aspects of a grid-integrated PV system. Various standards, power stage architectures, grid synchronization methods, and control methodologies pertaining to small-scale PV plants are discussed at length. This paper will act as a one-stop reference for practicing engineers and introduce the vast research in the field of solar PV integration to the new generation of researchers.