Photovoltaic system power tracking method
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- one or more photovoltaic cells configured to output direct current (DC) power;
an optical element that concentrates light onto the one or more photovoltaic cells;
a light diffuser that increases uniformity of the light concentrated by the optical element over the one or more photovoltaic cells;
control circuitry configured to perform maximum power point tracking of the DC power and measure the DC power output by the one or more photovoltaic cells to produce a control signal; and
a tracking controller configured to receive the control signal, and, based on the control signal, control a tracking motor that modifies at least one of an angular orientation of the one or more photovoltaic cells, an angular orientation of the optical element, and a distance between the optical element and the one or more photovoltaic cells, andwherein the tracking controller is further configured to, based on the control signal, change a distance between the light diffuser and the one or more photovoltaic cells.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A photovoltaic system including a photovoltaic cell, and an electronic module connected to the photovoltaic cell. The electronic module is adapted to produce at least one control signal indicative of electrical power being generated by the photovoltaic cells. A tracking controller is adapted to receive the control signal(s) and based on the control signal(s), the controller is adapted to control a tracking motor for adjusting the system so that electrical power generated by the photovoltaic cells is increased. The photovoltaic system may include an optical element, adapted for concentrating solar light onto the photovoltaic cells. The electronic module preferably performs direct current (DC) to direct current (DC) power conversion and maximum power point tracking by electrical power, current, or voltage at either their inputs or their outputs. Alternatively, the tracking controller is configured to also perform maximum power point tracking by increasing to a local maximum electrical power by varying at least one of (i) current or voltage output from the photovoltaic cell or (ii) current or voltage output from the electronic module.
978 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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one or more photovoltaic cells configured to output direct current (DC) power; an optical element that concentrates light onto the one or more photovoltaic cells; a light diffuser that increases uniformity of the light concentrated by the optical element over the one or more photovoltaic cells; control circuitry configured to perform maximum power point tracking of the DC power and measure the DC power output by the one or more photovoltaic cells to produce a control signal; and a tracking controller configured to receive the control signal, and, based on the control signal, control a tracking motor that modifies at least one of an angular orientation of the one or more photovoltaic cells, an angular orientation of the optical element, and a distance between the optical element and the one or more photovoltaic cells, and wherein the tracking controller is further configured to, based on the control signal, change a distance between the light diffuser and the one or more photovoltaic cells. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus comprising:
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a power converter; control circuitry configured to; receive electrical power generated by one or more photovoltaic cells, produce a control signal based on the electrical power, and increase to a local maximum the electrical power generated by the one or more photovoltaic cells by varying at least one of voltage output or current output from the one or more photovoltaic cells; and a tracking controller configured to; receive the control signal, and control, based on the control signal, a tracking motor to change position of an optical element and a distance of a light diffuser relative to the one or more photovoltaic cells such that the electrical power generated by the one or more photovoltaic cells is changed, wherein the optical element concentrates different amounts of light at different positions of the optical element relative to the one or more photovoltaic cells, and wherein the light diffuser changes diffusion of concentrated light onto the one or more photovoltaic cells at different distances of the diffuser relative to the one or more photovoltaic cells.
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13. A system comprising:
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a plurality of photovoltaic cells configured to output direct current (DC) power; a plurality of sensors connected to the plurality of photovoltaic cells, wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to generate a plurality of control signals; and a tracking controller circuitry configured to; control, based on plurality of control signals, a distance of a light diffuser relative to the plurality of photovoltaic cells and at least one of an angular orientation of the plurality of photovoltaic cells, an angular orientation of an optical element, and a distance between the optical element and the plurality of photovoltaic cells. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification