A Survey of Inverters and Related Protection Equipment completed under PVPS Task 5 is now publicly available for download from this website.

Inverters are the key to reliable and safe grid interconnection of PV systems. They are also required to generate high quality power within strict AC utility system boundaries at reasonable cost. This report, IEA-PVPS T5-05: 2002, which is intended to be a reference for people interested in installing grid-connected PV systems, electricity industry personnel, manufacturers and researchers, presents the findings of manufacturers responses to an in-depth questionnaire.

The survey analyzes a wide variety of technical characteristics such as input and output voltages and frequencies, power factor, conversion efficiency, isolation between AC and DC and protective functions. Additional data on costs, size and weight are also provided.

The report gives full details of 35 inverters from 17 manufacturers in 6 countries. It also presents a useful guide to the requirements of modern inverter technology for the layreader.

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