Distributed/central optimizer architecture
First Claim
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1. A system comprising:
- a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each having a DC voltage output;
a plurality of distributed power optimizers, each distributed power optimizer has an input connected to the DC voltage output of one of the photovoltaic modules and an output configured to provide a DC voltage; and
a central optimizer having an output configured to output a DC voltage and an input configured to receive a voltage that is a summation of the DC voltages from the outputs of a set of at least two of the distributed power optimizers.
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Abstract
The disclosure relates to technology for providing power, voltage, and/or current from a combination of photovoltaic modules. In one aspect, a system has central power optimizer, which is located between a group of distributed power optimizers and a solar inverter. Each distributed power optimizer may be connected to the DC output of one photovoltaic modules, and may be used to regulate the power output of the photovoltaic module. The combined DC voltages of the distributed power optimizers may be provided to the input of the central power optimizer.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each having a DC voltage output; a plurality of distributed power optimizers, each distributed power optimizer has an input connected to the DC voltage output of one of the photovoltaic modules and an output configured to provide a DC voltage; and a central optimizer having an output configured to output a DC voltage and an input configured to receive a voltage that is a summation of the DC voltages from the outputs of a set of at least two of the distributed power optimizers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of regulating power, comprising:
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operating a plurality of distributed power optimizers to regulate power output of a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each distributed power optimizer having an output that outputs a DC voltage and an input connected to a DC voltage output of one of the photovoltaic modules; providing a summation of the DC voltages that are output by the plurality distributed power optimizers to an input of a central optimizer; operating the central optimizer in a boost mode or a bypass mode; and providing a DC output voltage of an output of the central optimizer to an input of a solar inverter. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A photovoltaic power transfer system, comprising:
a plurality of central optimizer systems connected in series and/or parallel, each central optimizer system comprising; a plurality of power modules connected in series, each of the power modules comprising; a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each having a DC voltage output; a plurality of distributed power optimizers, each distributed power optimizer has an input connected to the DC voltage output of one of the photovoltaic modules and an output configured to provide a DC voltage; and a central optimizer having an output configured to provide a DC voltage and an input configured to receive a voltage that is a summation of the DC voltages from the outputs of a set of at least two of the distributed power optimizers. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
Specification