A Residential DC Distribution System with Photovoltaic Array Integration

Approved: ________________________________________________ Ted K.A. Brekken A DC distribution system targeted for residential settings has been designed and simulated. The system features the ability to draw power from both the utility and photovoltaic arrays. In times of surplus solar energy, the system is able to supply power back to the utility to facilitate net metering. The design of the DC distribution system centers on three power converters. First, an active rectifier is used to convert AC voltage from the utility to an intermediate DC-link voltage. It also ensures that current is drawn from the grid at near-unity power factor. A buck converter is used to step down the DClink voltage to a 42 V bus which is used to power any DC loads in the household. The buck converter also has the task of regulating this bus. A boost converter is used to step up the output voltage of the PV array to the DC bus voltage. It also ensures that the array is operated at its maximum power point.