Power converter for a solar panel

• US 9,438,035 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2011
• Issued: 09/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Capp, F. William, Driscoll, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): BOATENG, ALEXIS ASIEDUA
• Application Number:
  US13/282,037
• Publication Number:
  US 20120056483A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,777 Days
• Field of Search: 320/101, 320/116, 320/117, 320/119, 320/121, 320/140, 320/162, 307/11, 307/43, 307/45, 307/54, 307/58, 307/82, 136/243, 136/244, 136/252, 136/251
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/00 Circuit arrangements for dc mains or dc distribution networks
• 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 3/388 Islanding, i.e. disconnection of local power supply from the network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0077 Plural converter units whose outputs are connected in series
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/04 by static converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/44 by static converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers

Abstract

A solar array power generation system includes a solar array electrically connected to a control system. The solar array has a plurality of solar modules, each module having at least one DC/DC converter for converting the raw panel output to an optimized high voltage, low current output. In a further embodiment, each DC/DC converter requires a signal to enable power output of the solar modules.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a plurality of solar panels; and

a plurality of DC/DC power converters, each DC/DC power converter of the plurality of DC/DC power converters being connected to a respective solar panel of the plurality of solar panels; and

a central control system configured to generate a control signal, wherein each DC/DC power converter of the plurality of DC/DC power converters is configured to vary its mode of operation in response to receiving the control signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the DC/DC power converters is configured to perform maximum power point tracking (MPPT).

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the central control system comprises a DC/AC inverter connected to the plurality of DC/DC power converters.

6. The system of claim 3, further comprising a storage device connected between the DC/AC inverter and the plurality of DC/DC power converters.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the storage device is one selected from a group consisting of a flywheel energy storage system, a capacitor, an ultra capacitor, and a fuel cell.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the storage device is a flywheel energy storage system.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein each respective solar panel comprises a plurality of solar cells divided into two groups with a respective diode disposed across each of the two groups.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein each DC/DC power converter of the plurality of DC/DC power converters outputs power in response to receiving the control signal and does not output the power in response to not receiving the control signal.

4. An apparatus comprising:

a solar panel comprising a plurality of solar cells; and

a DC/DC power converter configured to maximize power generated by the plurality of solar cells, wherein the solar panel varies its mode of operation in response to a control signal.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a DC/AC inverter connected to the DC/DC power converter.

10. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a storage device connected between the DC/AC inverter and the DC/DC power converter.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the storage device is one selected from a group consisting of a flywheel energy storage system, a capacitor, an ultra capacitor, and a fuel cell.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the storage device is a flywheel energy storage system.

13. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of solar cells are divided into two groups with a respective diode disposed between each of the two groups.

15. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the solar panel outputs no power in a default off mode of operation.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the default off mode of operation of the solar panel is achieved in response to the solar panel not receiving the control signal.