Architecture for power plant comprising clusters of power-generation devices

• US 9,136,703 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 09/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maxout Renewables, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Maxout Renewables, Inc.
• Inventors: Cummings, Eric B.
• Primary Examiner(s): KAPLAN, HAL IRA
• Application Number:
  US13/840,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20130249319A1
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 307/151, 307/131
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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: H02J 1/102 being switching converters H02J1/108, H02J1/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/106 for load balancing, symmetrisation, or sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0043 Converters switched with a phase shift, i.e. interleaved non-isolated DC/DC converters H02M3/1586
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/493 the static converters being arranged for operation in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/52 PV systems with concentrators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A string and load balancer system that provides the ability to boost the string voltage in low-light or reduced-power conditions so that the inverter may continue to operate. The boost operation can be achieved by addition of a single substantially D.C. switch. The DC switch may be rated for the maximum intended voltage boost, not the maximum bus voltage. A string and load balancer provided herein may allow photovoltaic arrays to be productive in mornings, evenings, and in clouded or otherwise sub-nominal conditions.

Claims

1. A load balancer system comprising:

a controller;

a load balancer coupled to the controller; and

a switch coupled to the load balancer;

wherein the load balancer system is configured to;

receive a first voltage from a load coupled to the load balancer system, wherein the load is connected to an array of solar energy collectors that generate the first voltage;

generate a signal for controlling the switch when output from the array of solar energy collectors falls below a threshold;

place the switch in an ‘

open’

state in response to the signal; and

supply a second voltage to the load, wherein the second voltage is more than the first voltage.

2. The load balancer system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to sense a current between a terminal of the load and a terminal of the array of solar energy collectors.

3. The load balancer system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to sense a current between a first terminal of a first solar energy collector in the array and a second terminal of a second solar energy collector in the array.

4. The load balancer system of claim 1 wherein the load balancer system is configured to be coupled to multiple arrays of solar energy collectors.

5. The load balancer system of claim 1 wherein the load balancer system is configured to be coupled to multiple loads.