This study presents an investigative study on the adaptability of grid-connected photovoltaic (GCPV) inverters with thermoelectric generator (TEG) as the power source. Currently, no grid-connected inverters are commercially available for TEG systems. Hence, GCPV inverters have to be used or new inverters have to be manufactured for TEG source. In this study, a comparative study has been made to investigate the adaptability of commercial GCPV inverters in TEG systems. From the study, it is found that for a TEG, owing to its linear I–V characteristics, with open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current equal to the rated dc input voltage and current of the inverter, respectively, the operating point lies within the safe operating area of an inverter. However, this does not ensure that the GCPV inverter is utilised at its maximum power rating. It is also observed that GCPV inverter can be better utilised at its maximum power with the aid of current limit control (CLC). Simulation and test results are presented to bring out the efficacy of the CLC in an inverter fed by a TEG source. Conclusions drawn from this investigation make evident that the commercial GCPV inverters are adaptable for TEG systems.

中文翻译：

---

以热电为动力的并网光伏逆变器的适应性：性能比较

本研究对以热电发电机（TEG）为电源的并网光伏（GCPV）逆变器的适应性进行了调查研究。当前，TEG系统尚无商购的并网逆变器。因此，必须使用GCPV逆变器或必须为TEG源制造新的逆变器。在这项研究中，进行了一项比较研究，以研究商用GCPV逆变器在TEG系统中的适应性。从研究中发现，对于TEG，由于其线性I–V在开路电压和短路电流分别等于逆变器的额定直流输入电压和电流的情况下，工作点位于逆变器的安全工作区域内。但是，这不能确保以最大功率使用GCPV逆变器。还可以观察到，借助于电流限制控制（CLC），可以更好地利用GCPV逆变器的最大功率。给出了仿真和测试结果，以证明在由TEG源供电的逆变器中CLC的功效。从这项调查得出的结论表明，商用GCPV逆变器适用于TEG系统。