Testing and analysis of the SolarMagic 3320

Graduation Date

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Other

Program

Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Environmental Systems: Environmental Resources Engineering, 2011

Committee Chair Name

Charles Chamberlin

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Environmental Resources Engineering, SolarMagic, Insolation, Photovoltaic, Mismatch, National Semiconductor, Schatz Solar Hydrogen Project

Abstract

This project tested National Semiconductor's SolarMagic 3320™ (SM3320) PV array power optimizer at the Schatz Solar Hydrogen Project 9.2 kWp photovoltaic (PV) array in Trinidad, California to understand how well the device recovered power loss due to electrical mismatch. Quantifying the potential power recovery from using the SM3320s is necessary to determine the economic benefit of purchasing the devices. The PV array was split into two halves, with one half assisted by the SM3320s and one half unassisted. I analyzed 92 days of data on a daily energy output basis for four data categories: unshaded array, shaded array, morning, and afternoon. I conducted a statistical analysis to produce confidence intervals (CI) of the mean daily energy output difference from the two array halves based on the data collected. The CIs show the assisted array half performed statistically significantly worse than the unassisted array half based on the entire data set at a 95% level of confidence. The CIs also show the assisted array half performed statistically significantly worse when part of the PV array was shaded and in conditions of low insolation. These conditions lead to greater electrical mismatch in PV arrays; therefore, the results are unexpected because National Semiconductor developed the SM3320 units to minimize mismatch loss. Over the 92 days, the SM3320-assisted array half produced 0.4% less energy than the unassisted array half. Taken together, these results suggest the SM3320 device is a poor economic investment.

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/6d56zz859

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