System and method for over-voltage protection of a photovoltaic system with distributed maximum power point tracking
First Claim
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1. A solar panel array for use in a solar cell power system, the solar panel array comprising:
- a string of solar panels coupled in series;
an inverter configured to couple power from the string of solar panels to a load, the inverter including an energy storage element;
multiple voltage converters, each voltage converter coupled to a corresponding solar panel in the string of solar panels and configured to convert power output from the solar panel to the string; and
multiple maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers, each MPPT controller coupled to a corresponding voltage converter and configured to control power output from the voltage converter to the string;
each MPPT controller configured todetect, at the solar panel, an instantaneous power unbalance between the corresponding solar panel and the energy storage element caused by limiting power output from the inverter to the load based on a rate of change of at least one power variable derived from the solar panel exceeding a predetermine maximum value, and without detecting a voltage on the energy storage element; and
adjust power output from the voltage converter to the string in response to the detected instantaneous power unbalance.
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Abstract
A solar panel array for use in a solar cell power system is provided. The solar panel array includes a string of solar panels and multiple voltage converters. Each voltage converter is coupled to a corresponding solar panel in the string of solar panels. The solar panel array also includes multiple maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers. Each MPPT controller is coupled to a corresponding solar panel in the string of solar panels. Each MPPT controller is configured to sense an instantaneous power unbalance between the corresponding solar panel and an inverter.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A solar panel array for use in a solar cell power system, the solar panel array comprising:
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a string of solar panels coupled in series; an inverter configured to couple power from the string of solar panels to a load, the inverter including an energy storage element; multiple voltage converters, each voltage converter coupled to a corresponding solar panel in the string of solar panels and configured to convert power output from the solar panel to the string; and multiple maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers, each MPPT controller coupled to a corresponding voltage converter and configured to control power output from the voltage converter to the string; each MPPT controller configured to detect, at the solar panel, an instantaneous power unbalance between the corresponding solar panel and the energy storage element caused by limiting power output from the inverter to the load based on a rate of change of at least one power variable derived from the solar panel exceeding a predetermine maximum value, and without detecting a voltage on the energy storage element; and adjust power output from the voltage converter to the string in response to the detected instantaneous power unbalance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A device for use in a solar cell power system that includes a string of solar panels coupled in series and an inverter configured to couple power from the string of solar panels to a load, the inverter including an energy storage element, the device comprising:
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a voltage converter adapted to be coupled to a solar panel in the string of solar panels and configured to convert power output from the solar panel to the string; and a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller coupled to the voltage converter, the MPPT controller configured to control power output from the voltage controller to the string and to detect, at the solar panel, an instantaneous power unbalance between the corresponding solar panel and the energy storage element caused by limiting power output from the inverter to the load based on a rate of change of at least one power variable derived from the solar panel exceeding a predetermine maximum value, and without detecting a voltage on the energy storage element; and adjust power output from the voltage converter to the string in response to the detected instantaneous power unbalance. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for over-voltage avoidance in a photovoltaic array that includes a string of series-coupled solar panels, and an inverter configured to couple power from the string of solar panels to a load, the inverter including an energy storage element, the method comprising:
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controlling the power output from at least one solar panel to the string of series-coupled solar panels in accordance with maximum power point tracking (MPPT); detecting, at the solar panel, an instantaneous power unbalance between a solar panel in the string of solar panels and the energy storage element caused by limiting power output from the inverter to the load based on a rate of change of at least one power variable derived from the solar panel exceeding a predetermine maximum value, and without detecting a voltage on the energy storage element; and adjusting power output from the solar panel to the string in response to the detected power unbalance. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification