Device for distributed maximum power tracking for solar arrays
First Claim
1. A solar unit, comprising:
- a solar generator having at least one solar cell to generate electric power;
only one pair of output connections to provide output; and
a converter coupled between the solar generator and the only pair of output connections, wherein the converter receives direct current electricity input provided by the solar generator and provides direct current output to the pair of output connections, wherein the converter includes;
a switch,an energy storage capacitor coupled between the solar generator and the switch, anda controller operable to operate, via controlling the switch, the solar generator at a maximum power point independent of one or more second solar generators that are connected to the pair of output connections in a series connection;
wherein when the switch is turned on, the solar generator and the energy storage capacitor are connected in parallel and further connected in the series connection with the one or more second solar generators; and
wherein when the switch is turned off,the solar generator and the energy storage capacitor are electronically disconnected from the series connection, andthe converter provides at least one path for the series connection.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for providing power from solar cells whereby each cell or cell array is allowed to produce its maximum available power and converted by an operatively connected DC/DC converter. Each cell or cell array has its own DC/DC converter. In one form the system for providing power from solar cells includes one or more solar generators wherein each of said solar generators has one to nine solar cells; a maximum power tracker operatively associated with each solar generator, each of said maximum power tracker includes a buck type DC/DC converter without an output inductor, each of said maximum power trackers are operatively connected in series with each other; an inductor operatively connected to the series connected maximum power trackers; and means for providing electrical power from the inductor to load means, wherein each of said maximum power trackers is controlled so that the operatively associated solar generator operates at its maximum power point to extract maximum available power.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A solar unit, comprising:
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a solar generator having at least one solar cell to generate electric power; only one pair of output connections to provide output; and a converter coupled between the solar generator and the only pair of output connections, wherein the converter receives direct current electricity input provided by the solar generator and provides direct current output to the pair of output connections, wherein the converter includes; a switch, an energy storage capacitor coupled between the solar generator and the switch, and a controller operable to operate, via controlling the switch, the solar generator at a maximum power point independent of one or more second solar generators that are connected to the pair of output connections in a series connection; wherein when the switch is turned on, the solar generator and the energy storage capacitor are connected in parallel and further connected in the series connection with the one or more second solar generators; and wherein when the switch is turned off, the solar generator and the energy storage capacitor are electronically disconnected from the series connection, and the converter provides at least one path for the series connection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system, comprising:
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a plurality of solar units, each respective solar unit of the solar units having only one pair of output connections to provide output; a set of wires connecting outputs of the plurality of solar units in a series connection; wherein the respective solar unit comprises; a solar generator having at least one solar cell to generate electric power; a DC/DC converter coupled between the solar generator and the only pair of output connections, the DC/DC converter comprising; a switch, an energy storage capacitor coupled between the solar generator and the switch, and a controller for the switch to operate the solar generator at a maximum power point independent of other solar units in the series connection; wherein when the switch is turned on, the solar generator and the energy storage capacitor are connected in parallel and further connected in the series connection; and wherein when the switch is turned off, the solar generator and the energy storage capacitor are electronically disconnected from the series connection, and the DC/DC converter provides at least one path for the series connection. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A solar system, comprising:
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a solar generator having at least one solar cell operable to generate direct current electric power; a pair of output connections to provide direct current electric output to a series connection of solar units; and a converter coupled between the solar generator and the pair of output connections, wherein the converter receives the direct current electric power generated by the solar generator and operable to provide the direct current electric output converted from the direct current electric power generated by the solar generator, the converter comprising; a switch; an energy storage capacitor coupled between the solar generator and the switch; a controller operable to; turn the switch on to cause the solar generator and the energy storage capacitor that are connected in parallel to be further connected in the series connection of solar units; and turn the switch off to disconnect the solar generator and the energy storage capacitor from the series connection; and at least one path for the series connection when the switch is turned off. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification