Power converter for a solar panel

• US 10,135,241 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2016
• Issued: 11/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Capp, F. William, Driscoll, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pacheco, Alexis
• Application Number:
  US15/052,633
• Publication Number:
  US 20160248257A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• Field of Search: 320101, 320116, 320117, 320119, 320121, 320140, 320162, 307 11, 307 43, 307 45, 307 54, 307 58, 307 82, 136243, 136 24, 136252, 136251
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/00 Circuit arrangements for dc mains or dc distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/388 Islanding, i.e. disconnection of local power supply from the network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0077 Plural converter units whose outputs are connected in series
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/04 by static converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/44 by static converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers

Abstract

A solar array power generation system includes a solar array electrically connected to a control system. The solar array has a plurality of solar modules, each module having at least one DC/DC converter for converting the raw panel output to an optimized high voltage, low current output. In a further embodiment, each DC/DC converter requires a signal to enable power output of the solar modules.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a plurality of solar units, each solar unit of the solar units comprising;

a solar generator having at least one solar cell to generate electric power;

only one pair of output connections to provide output; and

a DC/DC converter coupled between the solar generator and the pair of output connections to receive electricity provided by the solar generator in entirety and to provide the output via the pair of output connections, wherein the DC/DC converter is configured to operate the solar generator at a maximum power point independent of other solar units of the plurality of solar units;

an output inductor; and

a set of wires configured to connect output connections of the solar units and the output inductor in series;

wherein the DC/DC converter is configured to employ a switching frequency for transferring electricity from the solar generator to the series connection of the solar units established by the set of wires.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a galvanically isolated output inverter,

wherein the galvanically isolated output inverter comprises the output inductor.

3. The system of claim 1 or 2,

wherein when the DC/DC converter is switched on, the solar generator is connected in the series connection of the solar units established by the set of wires;

and

wherein when the DC/DC converter is switched off, the solar generator is electronically disconnected from the series connection.

4. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the DC/DC converter includes a switch, and an energy storage capacitor coupled between the solar generator and the switch;

wherein when the DC/DC converter is switched on, the solar generator and the energy storage capacitor are connected in parallel and further connected in the series connection of the solar units established by the set of wires; and

wherein when the DC/DC converter is switched off, the solar generator is electronically disconnected from the series connection.

5. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the DC/DC converter includes a switch, and an energy storage capacitor coupled between the solar generator and the switch;

wherein when the switch is turned on, the solar generator and the energy storage capacitor are connected in parallel and further connected in the series connection of the solar units established by the set of wires; and

wherein when the switch is turned off, the solar generator and the energy storage capacitor are electronically disconnected from the series connection.

6. The system of claim 1 or 2,

wherein when the DC/DC converter is switched on, the solar generator is connected in the series connection of the solar units established by the set of wires;

and

wherein when the DC/DC converter is switched off, the solar generator is electronically disconnected from the series connection.

7. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the DC/DC converter includes a switch, and an energy storage capacitor coupled between the solar generator and the switch;

wherein when the DC/DC converter is switched on, the solar generator and the energy storage capacitor are connected in parallel and further connected in the series connection of the solar units established by the set of wires; and

wherein when the DC/DC converter is switched off, the solar generator is electronically disconnected from the series connection.

8. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the DC/DC converter includes a switch, and an energy storage capacitor coupled between the solar generator and the switch;

wherein when the switch is turned on, the solar generator and the energy storage capacitor are connected in parallel and further connected in the series connection of the solar units established by the set of wires; and

wherein when the switch is turned off, the solar generator and the energy storage capacitor are electronically disconnected from the series connection.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to operate the solar generator at a maximum power point independent of other solar units of the plurality of solar units.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the DC/DC converter comprises the controller.

11. The system of claim 2, further comprising a controller configured to operate the solar generator at a maximum power point independent of other solar units of the plurality of solar units.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the DC/DC converter comprises the controller.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the set of wires is configured to filter electricity received from the series connection of the solar units.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to filter electricity received from the series connection of the solar units.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured for filtering.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured for filtering electricity.

17. The system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a central control system configured to generate a control signal, wherein each of the DC/DC power converters is configured to vary a respective DC/DC power converter'"'"'s mode of operation in response to receiving the control signal.

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising an energy storage device, wherein the set of wires is configured to connect the output connections of the solar units and the energy storage device.