Photovoltaic power conditioning units
First Claim
1. A photovoltaic (PV) panel system comprising:
- a PV panel in combination with a power conditioning unit for providing ac power from the PV panel,wherein the PV panel comprises a string of series connected solar cells having first and second connections to either end of the string and having at least one tap connection between first and second connections to define a plurality sub-strings of the string, each sub-string having an electrical connection at either end, andwherein the power conditioning unit comprises;
a set of input power converters, one for each of the plurality of sub-strings, each having a pair of dc input connections connected to either end of a sub-string, each of the set of input power converters having a power output; and
a common output power conversion stage coupled to the set of input power converters to provide an ac output from the power conditioning unit.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
We describe a photovoltaic (PV) panel system comprising a PV panel with multiple sub-strings of connected solar cells in combination with a power conditioning unit (microinverter). The power conditioning unit comprises a set of input power converters, one connected to each sub-string, and a common output power conversion stage, to provide power to an ac mains power supply output. Integration of the micro-inverter into the solar PV module in this way provides many advantages, including greater efficiency and reliability. Additionally, embodiments of the invention avoid the need for bypass diodes, a component with a high failure rate in PV panels, providing lower power loss and higher reliability.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A photovoltaic (PV) panel system comprising:
-
a PV panel in combination with a power conditioning unit for providing ac power from the PV panel, wherein the PV panel comprises a string of series connected solar cells having first and second connections to either end of the string and having at least one tap connection between first and second connections to define a plurality sub-strings of the string, each sub-string having an electrical connection at either end, and wherein the power conditioning unit comprises; a set of input power converters, one for each of the plurality of sub-strings, each having a pair of dc input connections connected to either end of a sub-string, each of the set of input power converters having a power output; and a common output power conversion stage coupled to the set of input power converters to provide an ac output from the power conditioning unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21)
-
-
18. A method of providing power from a photovoltaic (PV) panel, the PV panel comprising a plurality of sense-connected sub-strings of solar cells, each sub-string comprising a plurality of series-connected solar cells, the method comprising:
-
providing a set of input power converters, one input power converter for each sub-string; supplying power from each sub-string to a common dc bus using the set of input power converters; and converting power from the common dc bus to an ac power output from the PV panel. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification