Reliability Testing of Grid Connected PV Inverters

Large numbers of grid-connected PV systems are being installed throughout the world. In a PV system where PV modules have expected lifetimes of up to 20 years it is desirable that the other system components have a comparable expected lifetime, or at least a predictable lifetime. The PV inverter is a key component with regard to reliability and lifetime. Procedures to test PV inverters for reliability are discussed in the paper and results from tests in the laboratory and the field are presented.