Topologies for large scale photovoltaic power plants

The concern of increasing renewable energy penetration into the grid together with the reduction of prices of photovoltaic solar panels during the last decade have enabled the development of large scale solar power plants connected to the medium and high voltage grid. Photovoltaic generation components, the internal layout and the ac collection grid are being investigated for ensuring the best design, operation and control of these power plants. This paper addresses the review of components as photovoltaic panels, converters and transformers utilized in large scale photovoltaic power plants. In addition, the distribution of these components along this type of power plant and the collection grid topologies are also presented and discussed. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.