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Grid connected solar power inverters provide an integral function in solar power systems by converting the DC power from the solar panel to AC power which is fed into the power grid.
As shown in the diagram the solar power inverter performs a couple of functions. One is to perform a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm required to optimize the power harvest from solar panels and a voltage boost function to provide a higher voltage input into the DC/AC inverter stage. The DC/AC inverter provides a pure sine wave output that can be connected to utility power grid. The control loops necessary to perform these functions are implemented in software running on the dsPIC controller shown and the unit is completely controlled digitally without any analog control devices.