Distributed Substring Architecture for Maximum Power Point Tracking of Energy Sources

• US 20130328403A1
• Filed: 03/22/2013
• Published: 12/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Generac Power Systems Incorporated (Generac Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Pika Energy LLC
• Inventors: Kaufman, Joshua Daniel, Polito, Benjamin Francis, Richtman, Keith Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 10,411,477 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/77
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/26 involving maximum power point tracking control for photovoltaic sources maximum power point systems in particular G05F1/67
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/46 Controlling of the sharing of output between the generators, converters, or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers

Abstract

A photovoltaic array system includes multiple strings of series coupled photovoltaic modules to provide current at a voltage dependent on the number of modules in each string and their operating efficiency. Each string is coupled to a DC-to-DC converter to convert the current from each string for output to a DC bus. An inverter is coupled to DC bus to convert the current from the strings of series coupled photovoltaic modules to AC current at a grid-compatible voltage.

Claims