Redundant electrical architecture for photovoltaic modules
First Claim
1. A method of calibrating a photovoltaic module, comprising:
- downloading a first set of computer executable instructions onto a non-transitory computer-readable medium within a photovoltaic module comprising an array of photovoltaic cells, the photovoltaic module further comprising a power conversion device redundantly connected to the array of photovoltaic cells, the power conversion device including a plurality of redundant power conversion circuits, the first set of computer executable instructions configured to control operation of the photovoltaic module during calibration;
exposing the photovoltaic module to multiple illumination intensities;
exposing the photovoltaic module to multiple ambient temperatures including, during exposure of the photovoltaic module to each of the multiple illumination intensities, exposing the photovoltaic module to each of the multiple ambient temperatures such that the photovoltaic module is exposed to each of the multiple ambient temperatures during exposure to each given one of the multiple illumination intensities,generating measurement data for each illumination intensity and ambient temperature, the measurement data representative of one or more of;
an electrical resistance of each power conversion circuit;
a power output of each power conversion circuit;
a peak power current of each power conversion circuit;
a peak power voltage of each power conversion circuit; and
a local circuit phase of each power conversion circuit;
generating a plurality of calibration curves from the measurement data;
storing the plurality of calibration curves in a memory of the photovoltaic module, the plurality of calibration curves allowing a control module of the photovoltaic module to transform measurements in an operating environment into representative data; and
replacing the first set of computer executable instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium with a second set of computer executable instructions configured to control operation of the photovoltaic module in the operating environment.
6 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
One example embodiment includes a PV module comprising a conductive backsheet, a substantially transparent front plate, a plurality of PV cells, a plurality of conductive spacers, and a power conversion device. The PV cells can be disposed between the conductive backsheet and the front plate and can be arranged in a plurality of rows. The PV cells within each row can be connected to each other in parallel and the rows can be connected in series. The PV cells can be interconnected between the conductive spacers. The power conversion device can be redundantly connected to the PV cells via a last conductive spacer connected to a last row. The power conversion device can substantially maintain a maximum peak power of the PV module and can convert a lower voltage collectively generated by the PV cells to a predetermined stepped up voltage greater than or equal to 12 volts.
253 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of calibrating a photovoltaic module, comprising:
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downloading a first set of computer executable instructions onto a non-transitory computer-readable medium within a photovoltaic module comprising an array of photovoltaic cells, the photovoltaic module further comprising a power conversion device redundantly connected to the array of photovoltaic cells, the power conversion device including a plurality of redundant power conversion circuits, the first set of computer executable instructions configured to control operation of the photovoltaic module during calibration; exposing the photovoltaic module to multiple illumination intensities; exposing the photovoltaic module to multiple ambient temperatures including, during exposure of the photovoltaic module to each of the multiple illumination intensities, exposing the photovoltaic module to each of the multiple ambient temperatures such that the photovoltaic module is exposed to each of the multiple ambient temperatures during exposure to each given one of the multiple illumination intensities, generating measurement data for each illumination intensity and ambient temperature, the measurement data representative of one or more of; an electrical resistance of each power conversion circuit; a power output of each power conversion circuit; a peak power current of each power conversion circuit; a peak power voltage of each power conversion circuit; and a local circuit phase of each power conversion circuit; generating a plurality of calibration curves from the measurement data; storing the plurality of calibration curves in a memory of the photovoltaic module, the plurality of calibration curves allowing a control module of the photovoltaic module to transform measurements in an operating environment into representative data; and replacing the first set of computer executable instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium with a second set of computer executable instructions configured to control operation of the photovoltaic module in the operating environment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of calibrating a photovoltaic module, comprising:
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executing a first set of computer executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium within a photovoltaic (PV) module, the photovoltaic module comprising an array of PV cells and a power conversion device redundantly connected to the PV cells, the power conversion device including a plurality of redundant power conversion circuits, the first set of computer executable instructions configured to control operation of the photovoltaic module during calibration; generating measurement data for each of multiple illumination intensities to which the PV module is exposed by generating the measurement data while exposing the PV module to each of the multiple illumination intensities one at a time and during exposure to each of the multiple illumination intensities exposing the PV module to each of multiple ambient temperatures; generating a plurality of calibration curves from the measurement data; storing the plurality of calibration curves in a memory of the PV module, the plurality of calibration curves allowing a control module of the PV module to transform measurements in an operating environment into representative data; and replacing the first set of computer executable instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium with a second set of computer executable instructions configured to control operation of the PV module in the operating environment. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification