Distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources

• US 8,963,369 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2009
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Sella, Guy, Handelsman, Lior, Galin, Yoav, Fishelov, Amir, Adest, Meir
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEREZ BORROTO, ALFONSO
• Application Number:
  US12/411,294
• Publication Number:
  US 20090206666A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,162 Days
• Field of Search: 307/43, 307/52, 136/244
• US Class Current: 307/52
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02021 for solar cells electrical connection means, e.g. junction boxes, specially adapted for structural association with photovoltaic modules H02S40/34
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/514 composed as a modular blocks or assembly, i.e. composed of co-operating parts provided with contact members or holding contact members between them
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/102 being switching converters H02J1/108, H02J1/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/24 of photovoltaic origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/388 Islanding, i.e. disconnection of local power supply from the network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/46 Controlling of the sharing of output between the generators, converters, or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/44 by static converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/34 comprising specially adapted electrical connection means to be structurally associated with the PV module, e.g. junction boxes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A distributed power harvesting system including multiple direct current (DC) power sources with respective DC outputs adapted for interconnection into a interconnected DC power source output. A converter includes input terminals adapted for coupling to the interconnected DC power source output. A circuit loop sets the voltage and current at the input terminals of the converter according to predetermined criteria. A power conversion portion converts the power received at the input terminals to an output power at the output terminals. A power supplier is coupled to the output terminals. The power supplier includes a control part for maintaining the input to the power supplier at a predetermined value. The control part maintains the input voltage and/or input current to the power supplier at a predetermined value.

Claims

1. A junction box comprising:

an attachment connector configured to attach to either a first solar panel or to a frame of the first solar panel;

an input connector configured to receive first direct current (DC) source power from the first solar panel;

a downstream connector configured to receive second DC source power from a second solar panel;

an upstream connector configured to output load power, wherein the load power is sourced from the first DC source power and the second DC source power; and

an internal circuit interface comprising an internal input connector connected to the input connector and the downstream connector and configured to receive the first DC source power and the second DC source power, and an internal output connector connected to the upstream connector and configured to output the load power to the upstream connector, the internal circuit interface being configured to receive a removable bypass link in a first configuration, and configured to receive a removable power converter in a second configuration, the first configuration comprising the bypass link connected to the internal circuit interface and configured to pass the first DC source power and the second DC source power from the internal input connector to the internal output connector, and the second configuration comprising the power converter in place of the bypass link, the power converter being connected to the internal circuit interface and configured to convert the first DC source power and the second DC source power received from the internal input connector to converted power output on the internal output connector.

2. The junction box of claim 1, further comprising a surface configured for adhering to a back surface of the first solar panel.

3. The junction box of claim 1, wherein the downstream connector is further configured to receive the second DC source power from a second junction box connected to the second solar panel.

4. The junction box of claim 1, wherein the downstream connector is further configured to receive third DC source power from one or more third solar panels.

9. The junction box of claim 1, further comprising the bypass link, wherein the junction box is configured in the first configuration.

10. The junction box of claim 1, further comprising the power converter, wherein the junction box is configured in the second configuration.

14. The junction box of claim 1, wherein the power converter comprises a circuit loop configured to set a voltage and a current at the input connector according to predetermined criteria.

5. A method comprising:

forming a junction box to have;

an input connector configured to receive first direct current (DC) source power from a first solar panel;

a downstream connector configured to receive second DC source power from a second solar panel;

an upstream connector configured to output load power sourced from the first DC source power and the second DC source power; and

an internal circuit interface comprising an internal input connector connected to the input connector and the downstream connector and configured to receive the first DC source power and the second DC source power, and an internal output connector connected to the upstream connector and configured to output the load power to the upstream connector, the internal interface being configured to receive a removable bypass link in a first configuration and a removable power converter in place of the bypass link in a second configuration.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

converting, with the power converter, the first and the second DC source power to form the load power, the internal interface being configured in the second configuration.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

converting the internal interface from the first configuration to the second configuration.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the converting comprises retrofitting the junction box by disconnecting the bypass link from the junction box and connecting the power converter to the junction box.

11. An apparatus comprising:

an input connector configured to receive first source power from a power source, wherein the power source comprises at least one solar panel;

a downstream connector configured to receive a second source power;

an upstream connector configured to output load power; and

an internal circuit interface comprising an internal input connector connected to the input connector and the downstream connector and configured to receive the first and the second source power, and an internal output connector connected to the upstream connector and configured to output the load power to the upstream connector, the internal circuit interface being configured to receive a removable bypass link in a first configuration, and configured to receive a removable power converter in a second configuration, the first configuration comprising the bypass link connected to the internal circuit interface and configured to pass the first and the second source power from the internal input connector to the internal output connector, and the second configuration comprising the power converter in place of the bypass link, the power converter being connected to the internal circuit interface and configured to convert the first and the second source power received from the internal input connector to converted power output on the internal output connector.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising the power converter, wherein the apparatus is configured in the second configuration, and wherein the power converter comprises:

an input terminal configured to couple to the input connector for receiving the first source power from the power source and the second source power;

a circuit loop configured to set a voltage and a current at the input terminal according to predetermined criteria;

a power conversion circuit configured to convert the received first and second source power to the load power; and

an output terminal configured to couple to the upstream connector for outputting the load power.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the power converter comprises a circuit loop configured to set a voltage and a current at the input connector according to predetermined criteria.