Solar power generation device and control method of solar power generation device

• US 10,063,090 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2014
• Issued: 08/28/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Miyoshi, Tatsuya
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nha
• Application Number:
  US15/027,095
• Publication Number:
  US 20160241078A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,406 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/67 to the maximum power available from a generator, e.g. from solar cell
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00302 Overcharge protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

A solar power generation device is provided which includes a first DC-DC converter to which an output of a solar battery is input, a storage battery to which an output of the first DC-DC converter is input, a second DC-DC converter that converts a voltage of the storage battery, and a control unit. The control unit changes a duty ratio of the first DC-DC converter so as not to charge the storage battery and changes a duty ratio of the second DC-DC converter so as to set an operating point of the solar battery to a maximum power point, when a value indicating a state of charge of the storage battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

Claims

1. A solar power generation device comprising:

a first DC-DC converter configured to receive an output of a semiconductor device that converts optical energy into electric energy;

a storage battery configured to receive an output of the first DC-DC converter;

a second DC-DC converter configured to convert a voltage of the storage battery; and

a processor configured to;

when a value indicating a state of charge of the storage battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined value;

change a duty ratio of the first DC-DC converter so as not to charge the storage battery without interrupting the output of the semiconductor device to the first DC-DC converter, and

change a duty ratio of the second DC-DC converter so as to set an operating point of the semiconductor device to a maximum power point of the semiconductor device.

2. The solar power generation device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to perform control of outputting an output voltage of the first DC-DC converter so as not to charge the storage battery when the value indicating the state of charge of the storage battery is equal to or greater than the predetermined value.

3. The solar power generation device according to claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the value indicating the state of charge of the storage battery is equal to or greater than the predetermined value by comparing a voltage of the storage battery with a threshold voltage.

4. The solar power generation device according to claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to determine that the value indicating the state of charge of the storage battery is equal to or greater than the predetermined value when a voltage of the storage battery is equal to or greater than a threshold voltage.

5. The solar power generation device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the value indicating the state of charge of the storage battery is equal to or greater than the predetermined value by comparing a voltage of the storage battery with a threshold voltage.

6. The solar power generation device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine that the value indicating the state of charge of the storage battery is equal to or greater than the predetermined value when a voltage of the storage battery is equal to or greater than a threshold voltage.

7. A control method of a solar power generation device of performing control of shifting an operating point of a semiconductor device that converts optical energy into electric energy to a maximum power point, comprising:

monitoring a state of charge of a storage battery that stores power generated by the semiconductor device;

when a value indicating the state of charge of the storage battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined value;

changing a duty ratio of a first DC-DC converter configured to receive an output of the semiconductor device, so as not to charge the storage battery without interrupting the output of the semiconductor device to the first DC-DC converter, and

changing a duty ratio of a second DC-DC converter configured to convert a voltage of the storage battery so as to set the operating point of the semiconductor device to the maximum power point; and

when the value indicating the state of charge of the storage battery is less than the predetermined value;

changing the duty ratio of the first DC-DC converter so as to set the operating point of the semiconductor device to the maximum power point.

8. The control method of a solar power generation device according to claim 7, further comprising:

when the value indicating the state of charge of the storage battery is less than the predetermined value after the duty ratio of the first DC-DC converter is changed so as to not charge the storage battery and the duty ratio of the second DC-DC converter is changed so as to set the operating point of the solar battery to the maximum power point;

changing the duty ratio of the first DC-DC converter so as to set the operating point of the semiconductor device to the maximum power point.