System and Method for Local String Management Unit
First Claim
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1. A local string management unit (LSMU) comprising:
- an input configured to receive an input voltage from a string;
a voltage conversion portion connected to the input and configured to;
convert the input voltage to a target voltage; and
operate in a bypass mode; and
an output connected to the voltage conversion portion and configured to provide the target voltage to a load.
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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.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A local string management unit (LSMU) comprising:
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an input configured to receive an input voltage from a string; a voltage conversion portion connected to the input and configured to; convert the input voltage to a target voltage; and operate in a bypass mode; and an output connected to the voltage conversion portion and configured to provide the target voltage to a load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A computer-implemented method comprising:
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selecting, via a computing device, a target voltage; operating, via a computing device, a first local string management unit (LSMU) in a bypass mode, wherein the first LSMU is connected to a first string in a solar array, wherein the first string has a first string output voltage within a range from the output voltage of a strongest string in the solar array; and instructing, via a computing device, a second LSMU to upconvert a second string output voltage for a second string in the solar array not having a string output voltage within the range from the output voltage of the strongest string in the solar array, so that a solar array output voltage equals the target voltage, and wherein the second LSMU is connected to the second string. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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Specification