Method for distributed power harvesting using DC power sources
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- performing maximum power point tracking of a plurality of power sources connected respectively to inputs of a plurality of power converters;
converting input power received at the inputs of the plurality of power converters to output power on outputs of the plurality of power converters; and
regulating a voltage across a pair of terminals to a fixed constant value, the pair of terminals having connected therebetween, the outputs of the plurality of power converters connected in a series string, current in the series string varying in response to the input power varying and in response to the fixed constant value of the voltage across the pair of terminals.
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Abstract
A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter.
994 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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performing maximum power point tracking of a plurality of power sources connected respectively to inputs of a plurality of power converters; converting input power received at the inputs of the plurality of power converters to output power on outputs of the plurality of power converters; and regulating a voltage across a pair of terminals to a fixed constant value, the pair of terminals having connected therebetween, the outputs of the plurality of power converters connected in a series string, current in the series string varying in response to the input power varying and in response to the fixed constant value of the voltage across the pair of terminals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system comprising:
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a plurality of power converters configured to track maximum power points of a plurality of power sources connected respectively to inputs of a plurality of power converters and convert input power received at the inputs of the plurality of power converters to output power on outputs of the plurality of power converters; and a voltage regulator configured to regulate a voltage across a pair of terminals to a fixed constant value, the pair of terminals having connected therebetween, outputs of the plurality of power converters connected in a series string, wherein the plurality of power converters are configured to vary current in the series string in response to the input power varying and in response to the fixed constant value of the voltage across the pair of terminals. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification