System and Method for Local String Management Unit
First Claim
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1. A solar array, comprising:
- a plurality of strings, each respective string of the plurality of strings comprisinga plurality of series-connected local management units (LMUs), anda plurality of solar modules, each solar module in the plurality of solar modules connected in parallel to a respective LMU of the plurality of LMUs;
a parallel direct current (DC) bus; and
a plurality of local string management units (LSMUs) connected in parallel to the parallel bus, each respective LSMU of the plurality of LSMUs connected to the respective string of the plurality of strings but not connected to the plurality of strings other than the respective string.
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Abstract
Apparatuses and methods include a solar array having one or more strings of series-connected local management units (LMUs). Each LMU is parallel-connected to one of a plurality of solar modules. The strings are connected in parallel via a parallel bus. Local string management units (LSMUs) can increase or decrease an output voltage of the solar array by upconverting or downconverting string output voltages from each string. LSMUs can also operate in a bypass mode to increase overall power output.
143 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A solar array, comprising:
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a plurality of strings, each respective string of the plurality of strings comprising a plurality of series-connected local management units (LMUs), and a plurality of solar modules, each solar module in the plurality of solar modules connected in parallel to a respective LMU of the plurality of LMUs; a parallel direct current (DC) bus; and a plurality of local string management units (LSMUs) connected in parallel to the parallel bus, each respective LSMU of the plurality of LSMUs connected to the respective string of the plurality of strings but not connected to the plurality of strings other than the respective string. - View Dependent Claims (12, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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2. A solar array, comprising:
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a plurality of strings, each respective string of the plurality of strings comprising a plurality of series-connected local management units (LMUs), and a plurality of solar modules, each solar module in the plurality of solar modules connected in parallel to a respective LMU of the plurality of LMUs; a parallel bus; and a plurality of local string management units (LSMUs) connected in parallel to the parallel bus, each respective LSMU of the plurality of LSMUs connected to the respective string of the plurality of strings; wherein the respective LSMU of the plurality of LSMUs is configured to identify whether or not the respective string that the LSMU is connected to is within a range from an output voltage of a strongest string in the plurality of strings. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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13-20. -20. (canceled)
Specification